The second entrant for this year’s PROGRESS Wrestling Super Strong Style 16 tournament has been announced and… Chris Ridgeway joins the battle!
Super Strong Style 16 is the annual tournament hosted by PROGRESS comprised of 16 entrants. Over a three day period, the wrestlers compete in an elimination tournament to crown a winner who can claim a Unified World Title shot at a date of their choosing. This usually happens at the biggest show of the year which takes place in September, although a venue and date have yet to be confirmed for the annual tradition. A return to Alexandra Palace seems a likely option, though this is speculation on my part.
Chris Ridgeway has been away from the BritWres scene of late due to commitments in Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH. Like so many young British wrestlers at the moment he has seen an opportunity in Japan that is very attractive. Continuing to learn his trade in a different culture can only help to round out his grappling game. And his strong style, MMA style offense is a good fit for the promotion that he currently calls home.
Riddy’s run in PROGRESS thus far has been a bit of a mixed bag. He wrestled an absolute blinder in last year’s SS16 before crashing out to Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly in the opening round. He has received a Proteus Title shot opposite champion Paul Robinson this past December in which he also fell short. But a lot of the time in wrestling it truly isn’t the winning but the taking part that counts. Ridgeway never fails to impress with his hard-hitting, no-nonsense style.
Will he be able to go further than in last year’s tournament? Therein lies the big question. All will be revealed as the entrants and brackets are announced in the run-up to May 23rd – 25th in Alexandra Palace.
#GENE4SSS16
