Former WWE stars Big Damo and Nikki Cross have bought the biggest wrestling promotion in the UK. The couple, who featured in the WWE together, have taken charge of Progress Wrestling.
Damo – who wrestled under the ring name Killian Dain – made his debut for the company in 2015 and was their first ever triple crown champion, having won the Tag Team, Atlas and World titles.
Meanwhile Nikki is a former Raw Women’s Champion after beating Charlotte Flair for the title. She was also a two-time tag teach champion and 11-time 24/7 champion. They take over from co-owners Lee McAteer and Martyn Best.
Martyn, who took over in 2022 and will help out with a short transition period, said: “I’m personally very excited, and look forward to seeing Damo and Nikki take Progress to even greater heights. The future of Progress looks the brightest it has ever been.
“When I became involved in early 2022, this was very much a ‘recovery mission’. The business had not delivered any shows for nearly two years due to the pandemic, and morale was very low throughout the business and the wrestling world generally.
“Seventy shows later, a good number across the globe, including the worlds first ever Women’s World Championship match in Dubai, and an invigorating roster, including an A-list Hollywood star as one of our champions, I would say Progress is fully restored as the number on independent wrestling promotion in the UK.”
The shock news comes as tickets for Progress Wrestling’s next three events remain on sale. On June 7, Wonderbrawl 2 will be held at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, followed by Scorchio on July 26 and Save the Date on August 31, both in London.
Nikki, who wrestled under the name Nikki Storm during her time in Progress, was recently announced as competing at Scorchio, which would be her first appearance since her decade-long run in WWE ended in April.
She was trained by Robbie Brookside and made her debut for Scottish Wrestling Alliance before travelling the world on the independent circuit. Belfast-born Big Damo, a 6’4, 23st man mountain whose real name is Damian Mackle, also broke into the industry in Scotland after being trained by Brookside.
Both Damo and Nikki were signed by the WWE in 2016 and were part of the Sanity stable which was drafted to Smackdown. Nikki broke away from the group and enjoyed a run as Raw Women’s Champion after beating Charlotte Flair for the title.
She was also a two-time tag teach champion and 11-time 24/7 champion. Damo is the current Progress tag team champion and still an active wrestler on the roster. The couple got married in 2019.
Damo said: “This opportunity was one we couldn’t turn down. Progress is one for the biggest independent wrestling companies on earth, with a rich history and phenomenal fans.
“Previous owners Martyn Best and Lee McAteer raised the level of professionalism, and gave so many wrestlers opportunities to live out their dreams.
“We want to follow their lead and use our own experiences in WWE and our relationships worldwide to give this generation and generations that follow the best possible platform to succeed.
“Nikki being one of very few women to own a wrestling company worldwide also gives us a unique perspective. The Progress women’s roster is bursting with talent and Nikki cannot wait to wrestle with them and give them every bit of help she can.
“As for me, I’ve been wrestling 22 years. I have been lucky enough to reach all my goals in wrestling and had the time of my life doing so.
“However as I entered my 40s I have had to think what the next chapter is and now it has been decided. The next chapter is owning Progress Wrestling and my first show is June 7th at the O2 Ritz, Manchester. I cannot wait to get started!”
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