It’s a new era for PROGRESS Wrestling with husband and wife Big Damo and Nikki Storm taking the reins!
Shortly after news broke that Storm, formerly known as Nikki Cross, had been released from her WWE contract, the former Women’s Champion and her husband acquired the UK indie promotion. There is one clear goal in mind: to make PROGRESS the independent promotion that fans have to see. With the new management now fully in effect, Nikki Storm and Big Damo joined Features of Wrestling to speak about PROGRESS, upcoming shows, and what fans can expect moving forward.
The new era officially began at WonderBrawl II in Manchester, a city that has regularly hosted shows by the promotion. While Damo was running the show from the venue, Storm and her two dogs, the real CEOs of PROGRESS, watched closely from home. Damo and Storm reflected on the nerves of their first show:
Damo: “I was quite nervous because I’d run shows before, but this came really early into our takeover. You don’t really have the chance to book the card. I wanted to honour all the dates that everybody who was booked already was there, but we were able to add a couple of matches. We were able to add that awesome tag match between Young Guns and 0121. So it worked out great in that respect that we were able to kind of put our stamp a little bit on the card. But on the day, yeah, oh my God, it was very stressful. Not in terms of the staff, they were all incredible. Nikki was also giving us live feedback, which was really cool because that just helped us, you know, what the sound levels were going to be like, what the lighting looked like, and how everything looked on screen.”
Nikki: “I couldn’t be there in person, so for me, even though I wasn’t there in person, I was nervous. I just wanted the feed to go well, because of technical difficulties. But we’ve been blessed so far, which is amazing. I’ve got the two Chihuahuas beside me. They are PROGRESS’ biggest fans, they’re the real CEOs. It was great. But it was nerve-wracking, because you’re not there, so you feel you’re not in as much control, because, like Damo said, it was able to provide another perspective in live feedback.”
Fast forward to the summer and Storm officially made her PROGRESS return at Scorchio against Session Moth Martina, one of the most popular names on the UK indies. A hit with the fans all around the country, Session Moth has also backed it up in the ring, especially in Pro Wrestling EVE, where she reigns as the top champion. Having followed Session Moth’s journey and never having the opportunity to share the ring with the Irish star, Storm felt that Scorchio was the ideal time to have one of her dream matches.
However, just as it looked like everything was going to plan, technical difficulties hit the start of the show. With the PROGRESS theme not playing and Session Moth having to make her entrance without her signature “Everytime We Touch” entrance, it looked as if the show may have to go on without music. However, “Larger Than Life” by The Backstreet Boys played through the Electric Ballroom shortly afterwards, meaning that Storm was able to make her dream entrance. Damo admitted that they are still unsure what happened there, but Storm believes that it was The Backstreet Boys who saved the day:
Damo: “Actually, we still haven’t figured out why it was fixed. We ran our preview videos before we went live, and everything was working fine. Then for some reason, you know, Gene Munny’s Baker Street didn’t work and we were all scrambling backstage. Somehow [Nikki’s] music works perfectly, and we’re just like, what are the f*cking chances?”
Nikki: “Backstreet Boys, Larger Than Life, Best in the Galaxy saved the day. I also think we had Session Moth Martina with the microphone as well, and she was giving out to all the fans, and so it ended up. We got there, you know, we got there. Best in the Galaxy saved the day.”
Storm also explained why Session Moth was the opponent of choice for her PROGRESS comeback match:
Nikki: “I moved across to the States in 2016, and throughout that time, I kept my eye on the wrestling scene in Britain and Europe. So Session Moth is someone that I’ve followed for a long time, followed her career, and I remember watching a show she was on, Pro Wrestling EVE. I think I texted the promoter right away, being like, I need to see more of this girl. She really just made me feel a certain way. I just connected with her. I thought she was so fun to watch. The crowd love her. That was an important match because I didn’t really get a lot of time with Session Moth. We’re kind of like ships passing in the night, so it was a really special match for me to have, and I really enjoyed it.”
Although Nikki is very much a featured part of PROGRESS events for the foreseeable future, Damo admitted that it will be a long time before fans see him back inside a PROGRESS ring. Handling the majority of the roles behind the scenes, especially on show days, Damo feels that an in-ring appearance is unlikely at this time as he will be occupied with every other aspect of a live wrestling show. That being said, he is still regularly competing at other independent shows, such as OTT Wrestling in Ireland.
Damo: “Probably not [getting back in a PROGRESS ring]. It’s actually really hard to do both. So, honestly, you can see me at plenty of companies.”
Nikki: “This is our chairman.”
Nikki Storm isn’t simply bringing back her old character — she’s bringing back a version that has evolved after a decade in WWE. Previously, Storm has portrayed an unhinged persona, a superhero and a witch. Having a range of characters to look back on, Storm explained how this iteration is different to the one fans saw a decade ago.
Nikki: “Nothing has really changed. Self-involved, deluded, crazy. It’s going to be different for Nikki Storm in 2026 because I’ve evolved as a person, and I think wrestling characters should really match that. So for myself, I think the core Nikki Storm, Best in the Galaxy, stays. But she’s wiser, she’s smarter, she’s had 10 years of television experience. So if anything, her ego’s even bigger. I’m just so excited for fans because for the fans who saw Nikki, they get to see something completely different. For the fans who hadn’t followed my career prior to WWE, they’re in for cheesecake; they’re in for dessert, they’re in for everything, they’re in for the full menu. I think we’re all in for a crazy ride. I’m not responsible for her!”
While Storm has been known by many monikers over the course of her pro wrestling career, a lesser-known nickname was “the white chocolate cheesecake of sports entertainment.” Looking back on the inspiration of the name, Storm explained its origin:
Nikki: “Listen, my man, it’s simple as this. I really love cheesecake, and my favourite flavour is white chocolate. Because to be honest, if I have that brownie cheesecake, sometimes it gets a bit much. It’s too sweet. So it was my favourite flavour, and we were at a stage practising promos and promo class, and we always kind of experimented with giving people food. I got that brainchild of my favourite food is cheesecake. My favourite flavour is white chocolate cheesecake. I’m in sports entertainment, and it just kind of grew from there. When we were training with Robbie Brookside back in 2013, 2014, it was something he would do in our promo classes, where he would give us something fun, and it just grew from there. Best in the Galaxy, white chocolate cheesecake of sports entertainment.”
Damo also confirmed that he is a cheesecake fan, with red velvet being his flavour of choice.
PROGRESS On Tour
PROGRESS is set to go on tour in September with a series of shows around the UK. Leeds, Manchester, Bournemouth, Birmingham and Edinburgh will host PROGRESS shows next month, with the Manchester date set to be streamed live on Hooked on Wrestling. All shows on the tour will be filmed and available to watch on demand at a later date.
On top of Storm competing at every event, the shows will see Malakai Black and Xelina in action. Discussing the line-up for the Manchester show, Damo believes that night will be a special one:
Damo: “We’re very excited because that card has really come together well. I’m actually really excited about pretty much all the cards, but the Manchester one is going to be very special, and we’re going to be streaming that one live as well. It’ll be on Hooked on Wrestling. So it’ll be very cool. So that’ll be very cool being able to have, that kind of roster available to us. The best thing is we’ve reached out to so many people in the last couple of months, and so many people want to come, which is really cool.”
AEW star Lio Rush will be competing in multiple matches for PROGRESS over the next few weeks. On top of appearing on the Odyssey Tour, Rush will be in action against PROGRESS Women’s Champion Rhio at Wrestling Over Everything on August 31. Additionally, MxM Collection will also be competing at select dates. Previously stating that they are looking to have the something for everyone approach with PROGRESS, Damo praised the tag team for being equally entertaining in and out of the ring:
Damo: “We’ve been speaking to AEW, and it’s been great that we’ve been able to get Lio Rush and MxM. MxM are two of my best friends in wrestling. We are in multiple group chats together, and we came through the same time in NXT, so we’re all together in India on September 11th, and then the lads are coming over to London, and I’m going off to New York for MLW. But it’s brilliant that the lads are able to come and do a couple of shows for us in PROGRESS. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Perfect fashion as well. So Nikki’s going to get to see that up close and in person.”
Nikki: “I love a wee fashion show. Who doesn’t love a wee fashion show?”
Damo: “They bring that awesome combination because they’re both brilliant wrestlers, but they’re bloody hilarious, so they can really bring some real energy. I’m quite excited about those matches. My only problem is I won’t be there live to see them, so that’s a pain. But they will be on Hooked on Wrestling the week after.”
Nikki Cross And Big Damo Expanding Beyond PROGRESS Wrestling
Collaboration has been a huge part of what makes independent wrestling a success, while also giving wrestlers valuable experience working in front of other crowds. Looking to help the next generation, the PROGRESS owners were interviewed in Manchester while in the middle of a week-long training camp for FutureShock. Developing the stars of tomorrow is something that Damo is very familiar with, and something that he is very passionate about.
Having previous experience helping younger stars, Damo listed the likes of Isla Dawn, Joe Hendry and Piper Niven as previous trainees, all of whom went on to find success in WWE. Having seen the potential in the current trainees, Storm and Damo believe the future is bright at FutureShock:
Damo: “They’re a brilliant bunch. They’re effectively a training school with shows on top, which is very similar to when I ran in Glasgow 15 years ago. That’s pretty much the business model that I focused on, and it meant that I could get as many matches for the younger wrestlers like Nikki and Piper Niven, the Coffeys, Joe Hendry, Isla Dawn and everybody else who was coming through at that period. There was a huge squad of them that came through over a two-year period, so our goal was okay, we’ll try and run X amount of shows a year, so that they’ve got so much work, and I see the exact same in Future Shock. I’ve got on really well with Sam Bailey for a long time.”
Nikki: “And they’re keen. So if you give me keen, that’s all I need. I just need effort and energy. Everything else will work out. But they’ve got great attitudes, and we love being in Manchester. We love FutureShock, and we’re excited to spend more time here.”
On top of the acquisition of PROGRESS, Storm and Damo are also the owners of DEFY Wrestling, which is based in the US. While PROGRESS has been moving quickly, DEFY has proved a different challenge. During the interview, Damo stated that there would be an update coming soon on the promotion’s future, but it hasn’t been as straightforward behind the scenes as it has been with PROGRESS. While he did not get into specifics, Damo noted that “a few other hurdles had to be crossed” with DEFY.
Big Damo “Kicked The Sh*t” Out Of Paul Walter Hauser At PROGRESS Show
Following the Odyssey Tour, PROGRESS will return to London for When September Ends. This event will feature the return of actor Paul Walter Hauser, who is currently the reigning Proteus Champion. After Damo lost to Hauser back in April, the PROGRESS owner jokingly admitted he wanted to see the actor get his comeuppance at the show.
“Damo: I’m very excited to see that bastard lose! No, Paul Walter Hauser is an incredible fella. I’m not a big fan of his in-ring when he hit me in the bollocks. But in terms of what he wants to do with wrestling, he has no need at all to do anything wrestling-related. But he wants to, and that’s what’s so cool. I’m very excited that we’re going to be able to work with him again and bring him over to London. He’s definitely a hit with the fans; they love to hate him. We’ve been asked by a specific talent who wants that match that will be announced at Wrestling Over Everything. They don’t even know yet, which is even better. But it’ll be a lot of fun.”
Much like other outside stars who have tried wrestling, there is a risk that if something happens in the ring, a TV show or movie could be delayed while the injury heals. Having wrestled Hauser in Vegas earlier in the year, Damo did not go easy on the award-winning actor:
Damo: “I kicked the sh*t out of him in Vegas. But it’s one of those things, you have to go all through. If you baby somebody, there’s more chance of injury. You know what I mean. Fair play to him, he’s a hearty f*cker, he really is. I think he just loves it, and I think he’s got it written into his contracts that he can wrestle. That’s wild! That is one of the funniest and most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. But it shows you how much he wants to do it, this is a passion for him. He got into it really late. He got into it while his career as an actor was taking off. He’s a madman. But it’s fantastic for us and it’s fantastic for PROGRESS.”
Now that Nikki and Damo have settled into their roles as PROGRESS owners, the work really begins on making the promotion the best in the country, perhaps the galaxy. With sold-out shows so far, a stacked UK tour and more big announcements to come, the couple have definitely hit the ground running in what is the latest era of the UK indie promotion.
They’ve taken over PROGRESS. Nikki is wrestling again. They’re bringing in established names. They’re developing new talent, and they believe this is only the beginning.
Tickets for upcoming PROGRESS Wrestling shows can be purchased here. Catch up with all PROGRESS events on demand at Hooked on Wrestling.
