On the 31st of December, Progress Wrestling announced it would be entering 2022 under new ownership, as Marytn Best and Lee McAteer took over the British promotion ahead of it’s return to live crowds.
It did not take long for the new owners to get to work, contacting Progress Fan Club Members and start making announcements for Progress’ first show in front of live crowds. Progress returned home to the Electric Ball Room with Chapter 127: …..And that World Was Progress on the 23rd of January. To a sold out crowd
McAteer and Best obviously have lofty ambitions for British Wrestling, as yesterday it was announced by TNT, that they had agreed to a Partnership with the new owners of Progress, with the pair acquiring joint interest in the Liverpool based promotion.
TNT had previously announced a big announcement coming a few days prior with the tag line “Secret No More” and the promotion often referred to as Britain Best Kept Secret certainly did just that making the announcement with Video Packaged tagged “The Secret Is Out”.
As reported the TWM News Best had this to say on the acquisition;
“Having been a large part of the Liverpool business community for many years, and having led Everton Tigers a few years ago, I’m delighted to be back involved in sporting events in the heart of Liverpool. TNT is certainly different from basketball, but the same excitement, buzz and entertainment for the fans is what we will be striving for.”
Martyn Best as per TWM News 27/01/022 https://www.twm.news/wrestling-tnt-extreme-wrestling-progress-announce-partnership/
McAteer added
“On the new addition to their stable, McAteer said, “TNT has been British Wrestling’s best-kept secret for a long time, but now the secret is out. The eyeballs are now truly on TNT Extreme Wrestling. We can’t wait to show the wider world what TNT has to offer and this forms part of our bigger and wider plans for what we hope to achieve in the U.K. sector and beyond. Jay has done a tremendous job with TNT and as a fan I’ve always tried to go to as many shows as I could. We can’t wait for our next show, DOA!”
Lee McAteer as per TWM News 27/01/022 https://www.twm.news/wrestling-tnt-extreme-wrestling-progress-announce-partnership/
McAteer and Best will both have been aware of TNT Extreme with Best’s history in Liverpool Sporting events and McAteer as the CEO of Wrestling Travel who are the exclusive ticket sellers for TNT Extreme.
TNT Extreme was founded by Jay Apter in 2014, with the promotion following a similar model to that used by Progress Wrestling although a little more extreme, building a strong connection with the local Liverpool Crowds with a mix of both in ring quality and Extreme Wrestling.
TNT have some of the best competitors from the UK, Europe and beyond compete in it’s ring including NXT stars Pete Dunne and Walter, AEW stars such as PAC and Eddie Kingston and former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.
TNT Extreme have long been commended for dedication and focus on women’s wrestling, in 2021 TNT Extreme went one step further by not only holding a Women’s show but also a Women’s Death match tournament. In 2018 Jay added a second brand in TNT Ignition that would focus on younger up and coming talent, supported by their Liverpool based training school C.L.A.W Academy.
McAteer and Best join the promotion ahead of it’s Signature DOA (Dead Or Alive) Death Match tournament on the 3rd of February that is set to include GCW Stars Alex Colon and Charli Evans as well as top UK stars including Session Moth Martina.
Jay had this to say on new partnership
“TNT has been my life’s work and passion. I am incredibly proud of how far my team, talent, and I have been able to take the brand. However, to get to the next level, Lee and Besty are the missing pieces to the puzzle. The three of us will be unstoppable and I cannot wait to show the whole world what TNT Extreme Wrestling is all about! Thank you to everyone. The secret is out.”
Jay Apter as per TWM News 27/01/022 https://www.twm.news/wrestling-tnt-extreme-wrestling-progress-announce-partnership/
You can keep up to date with everything British and Euro Wrestling with out Tea and Tights: A Great British Podcast and their weekly Brit Wres Round Up;
As of now both Progress and TNT Extreme will remain their own separate entities with Progress Wrestling continuing their partnership with the WWE that sees Progress Shows streamed on the WWE Network with TNT Extreme continuing to be streamed on Powered 4 TV.
You can follow Andy on Twitter @GBOtaku82
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