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One of the biggest independent wrestling promotions in the UK, PROGRESS Wrestling, are set to make their Las Vegas debut with PROGRESS Chapter 179: PROGRESS Las Vegas.
The event takes place on April 17, 2025 at the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort and will be broadcast live internationally on TrillerTV+. This special showcase – held during WrestleMania Week – promises a star-studded card featuring multiple championship matches and world-class European talent that have rebuilt the scene and are are currently turning heads at major promotions. making PROGRESS’s return to the United States the show to see the stars of tomorrow, today.
PROGRESS Men's World Championship – Luke Jacobs (c) vs. Michael Oku
In the main event, reigning PROGRESS Men’s World Champion Luke Jacobs—fresh off a WWE European tryout—puts his title on the line against fan-favourite Michael Oku, who made headlines with his shocking return to PROGRESS last year after nearly five years away.
This marks the first-ever PROGRESS encounter between two of the UK’s very best, competing for a championship once held by the likes of AEW's Will Ospreay and WWE's Gunther.
Jacobs has taken the title across the globe for almost a year, building a fearsome reputation with his hard-hitting style. But in Las Vegas, he faces Oku’s explosive speed and passion—a man looking to reclaim the spotlight in the very promotion where he began his journey.
The match was set in motion when Jacobs called out Oku directly, invoking their previous classics and demanding PROGRESS at its very best. Oku responded with flair, declaring he’d take the title in Vegas—because in British Wrestling, he’s John Cena, and that’s what John Cena would do.
Tensions ramped up even further at Chapter 178 on March 30th, when Jacobs’ long-time Young Guns tag partner Ethan Allen blindsided Oku after his win over Myles Kayman. But Oku, with help from his valet Amira, fired back, delivering a statement frog splash that left Allen reeling.
With emotions boiling over and Cara Noir awaiting the winner at Super Strong Style 16 in May, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Jacobs continue his reign of dominance, or will Oku rise against hate and finally become the PROGRESS Men's World Champion?
PROGRESS Women’s World Championship – Nina Samuels (c) vs. Rhio vs. Vert Vixen
What was originally scheduled as a one-on-one clash has evolved into a high-stakes Triple Threat match. Champion Nina Samuels now defends her title against former champion Rhio and American standout Vert Vixen in what promises to be an explosive encounter.
Vert Vixen’s late addition follows a heated backstage brawl at DEFY Wrestling, adding a wildcard element to the contest. Nina now faces the challenge of fending off two determined rivals with unfinished business.
Rhio, during her impressive reign, travelled to the US to face Vert Vixen—a former DEFY Women’s Champion—in a hard-fought match that ended in a double count-out. Neither woman secured victory, and following Rhio’s recent win at DEFY, Vert Vixen was quick to remind her of their unresolved history. She issued a challenge to both Rhio and Nina to settle things once and for all—and surprisingly, the champion accepted.
Since losing her title, was personally selected by Japanese legend Meiko Satomura to face her in her farewell UK singles match, a huge honour that solidified Rhio’s place among the elite. She’s also taken part in the WWE European tryout and made a recent appearance on WWE Raw, proving she’s catching eyes on the biggest stages.
Rhio held the PROGRESS Women’s Championship for an outstanding 434 days, a reign marked by heart, honour, and fierce competition. Her downfall came at Unboxing, where a cunning Nina Samuels blindsided the injured champion, manipulating her into defending the title while unfit to compete. Nina won in seconds, silencing the Electric Ballroom and marking the start of a reign built on ruthlessness.
Since then, Nina has capitalised on the vulnerability of her opponents, striking when least expected. At Chapter 178, she even refused to defend the title, securing her place in Las Vegas by any means necessary.
So it raised eyebrows when she welcomed Vert Vixen’s inclusion. But Nina claims this is all part of her plan, expecting Rhio and Vert’s personal vendetta to tear them apart, allowing her to pick up the pieces and leave Las Vegas still the PROGRESS Women’s World Champion.
Considering Vert Vixen has been taking to social media to trash talk Rhio at every opportunity including calling her a fake ass friend, she may well be onto something...
With all three women laser-focused on the gold, this is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and eagerly awaited matches of the weekend.
Proteus Title Scramble – Simon Miller (c) vs. Paul Walter Hauser vs. Mystery Opponents
The PROGRESS Proteus Championship will be up for grabs in a special Scramble Match, as reigning champion Simon Miller defends his title against Golden Globe-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser—and a group of yet-to-be-announced challengers.
Hauser, best known for his roles in Richard Jewell and Cobra Kai, has made waves since stepping into the wrestling world in 2023. Now, with star power and momentum on his side, he’s eyeing his first wrestling title—and the Proteus Championship could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his already successful career.
He won’t be alone in the spotlight either. Celebrity friends such as Teddy Swims and Mario Lopez have publicly backed Hauser, even announcing his involvement in the Scramble Match at The Collective during WrestleMania Weekend.
Meanwhile, champion Simon Miller, who won the title from Robbo, remains undeterred. After his latest defence at Chapter 178, Miller cut a promo addressing the challenge ahead. While he doesn’t know who all his opponents will be, he knows Hauser is in—and made it clear that, as much as he respects Hauser’s accomplishments in both acting and wrestling, he’s not giving up the gold. Simply put: “I love this title too much.”
Miller’s reign has stood out for its unique approach. Unlike Robbo, who held the title under strict “knockout or tap out only” rules for nearly five years, Miller has handed the power to the fans, letting them choose the stipulations for each defence. From WWE Finisher Only matches to Dog House Rulez and even “win by top-rope move” bouts, the Proteus Championship has never felt more unpredictable.
Now, for the first time under his rule, it heads into Scramble Match territory, a format packed with chaos, unpredictability, and multiple challengers gunning for the title at once.
Joining them are the very different trio of EFFY, Charles Crowley and Adam Priest. The diverse wrestling styles of all three personalities ensure that the Proteus Championship Scramble will be anything but predictable. Their combined presence guarantees a multifaceted challenge for Simon Miller and promises an electrifying match for the fans in Las Vegas.
With a Hollywood name in the mix, mystery competitors still to be revealed, and a title that thrives on fan-driven chaos, the only certainty is that Las Vegas is in for something truly wild.
Lykos Gym vs. Boisterous Behaviour
In a first-time-ever showdown under the PROGRESS banner, two of the most exciting teams on the scene collide as Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II) face off against the electrifying Boisterous Behaviour (Leon Slater & Man Like Dereiss).
Both duos have been making serious noise internationally, Lykos Gym with their cult-favourite combination of sharp technical wrestling and high-flying offence, and Boisterous Behaviour with their unmatched energy, charisma, and raw athleticism.
Kid Lykos, a former PROGRESS Men’s World Champion, has returned to tag team competition with renewed focus, determined to prove that he and the ever-loyal Kid Lykos II, who stood by his side throughout his title chase, are the best super junior tag team in Europe.
The pair come into this match riding high, having just won a brutal grudge match against Nico & Mills in the first-ever No Ropes “I Quit” Match in PROGRESS history. Former PROGRESS Tag Team Champions in their own right, Lykos Gym are now back as a full-time unit, and they’ve got gold in their sights once again.
On the other side, Boisterous Behaviour are building their own legacy. Their highlight as a team in PROGRESS came with a career-defining victory over the Young Guns in Manchester, the hometown of their opponents, in a match still spoken about with reverence by those who witnessed it live.
Since then, both Slater and Dereiss have gone from strength to strength. Leon Slater has headlined TNA pay-per-views alongside the Hardy Boyz, while Man Like Dereiss has turned heads and gone viral, for his standout performances with GCW. Both men are set to compete in this year’s prestigious Super Strong Style 16 tournament in May, further cementing their status as top prospects.
With two beloved teams, two unique styles, bragging rights and possibly title contention on the line, this tag team clash could very well steal the show. With Sunshine Machine recently reclaiming the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships, the winners of this bout might just be next in line for a shot at the gold.
Cara Noir vs. TBA
Completing the currently announced line-up is a special Las Vegas appearance by the enigmatic Cara Noir, the “Royal Black Swan” of PROGRESS Wrestling. A former PROGRESS Men’s World Champion renowned for his theatrical presence and breathtaking in-ring artistry, Cara Noir will appear in an exclusive showcase match at Chapter 179, part of The Collective during WrestleMania week.
For those unfamiliar with his work, we strongly recommend revisiting his iconic trilogy with Ilja Dragunov, his deeply personal and dramatic feud with Spike Trivet, or more recent standout matches against the likes of Yoshiki Inamura, KENTA, Mustafa Ali, and the unforgettable battle of the generations against Trent Seven.
If you’ve never experienced Cara Noir live and you’re in Las Vegas this WrestleMania week, this is your chance - his only scheduled appearance at The Collective. Trust us, it’s something you don’t want to miss.
His opponent is yet to be revealed, but fans can expect nothing short of a visually captivating, emotionally charged performance from one of PROGRESS Wrestling’s most iconic and mysterious figures. This rare U.S. appearance adds yet another layer of prestige and anticipation to an already stacked card.
Atlas Championship Match
Axel Tischer (c) vs Mike D
PROGRESS Wrestling has officially confirmed that Axel Tischer will defend his Atlas Championship against Mike D at Chapter 179 in Las Vegas, a rematch months in the making.
The bout follows their first meeting at Chapter 169: The Devil On My Shoulder, where Tischer narrowly retained the title in a bruising encounter. Now, the Belgian powerhouse Mike D gets another shot, this time on an international stage, during WrestleMania week.
Tischer became the first German wrestler to capture the Atlas Championship after defeating YOICHI during Super Strong Style 16 weekend. Since then, his reign has been defined by physical, high-stakes contests and a champion's determination to elevate the belt’s prestige. This upcoming defence will be no different.
Mike D enters the contest with plenty of momentum. Known for his blend of raw power and surprising agility, he has risen quickly through the European wrestling ranks, and already holds major championship gold outside of PROGRESS. A win in Las Vegas would be a career-defining moment for the Belgian standout.
Their last encounter didn’t end without incident, following Tischer’s victory, he was blindsided by the returning Smokin’ Aces, casting a shadow over his celebrations. That attack has only added fuel to Tischer’s fire, and he’ll be keen to make a definitive statement against Mike D in Las Vegas.
With both men carrying plenty of pride and power into the ring, this Atlas Championship clash promises to be one of the most physically intense matches of the night. Can Tischer hold firm under pressure once again, or will Mike D shock the world and bring the title back to Belgium?
1 Called Manders vs. Marcus Mathers
At PROGRESS Chapter 179 in Las Vegas, former travel companions Marcus Mathers and 1 Called Manders are set to clash in a compelling singles match that highlights their contrasting wrestling styles and individual ambitions.
Marcus Mathers, known as "Philly's Finest," brings a high-flying, agile approach to the ring. His signature moves exemplify his commitment to an energetic, crowd-pleasing style. With his participation in the upcoming Super Strong Style 16 tournament next month, Mathers is keen to build momentum and showcase his skills on an international stage.
In contrast, 1 Called Manders, the "Cornbelt Cowboy," embodies a hard-hitting, brawling style rooted in his training at the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy under Marek Brave and Seth Rollins.
Manders' approach is characterized by powerful strikes and a rugged demeanour, making him a formidable opponent in any contest. After a recent loss to Tate Mayfairs at Chapter 176, Manders is determined to re-establish his dominance within PROGRESS Wrestling.
This matchup adds a personal dimension, as both competitors have shared journeys across territories in Europe and the United States. Their familiarity with each other's strengths and weaknesses is sure to add depth to this encounter.
PROGRESS Chapter 179: PROGRESS Las Vegas represents a milestone for the London-based promotion – its very first event in Las Vegas and a highlight of WrestleMania Week. The buzz around PROGRESS’s expansion into the U.S. has been building, and this Vegas card is a prime example of why: it’s loaded with championship stakes, transatlantic star power.
Additional matches and surprises will be announced in the lead-up to April 17, ensuring an even more stacked lineup by showtime.
Tickets for the event are on sale now through Ticketmaster, and for those not in attendance, the show will stream live on TrillerTV+ and DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.
For more information: Visit progresswrestling.com or follow @ThisIs_Progress on social media for updates. Don’t miss your chance to witness PROGRESS Wrestling’s Las Vegas debut live – tune in on April 17th and experience the excitement first hand.
