Calacus appointed to promote PROGRESS Wrestling
Calacus has been appointed by PROGRESS Wrestling, as the world's leading independent wrestling company enters the most ambitious phase in its history.
PROGRESS, which has been staging shows since 2012 at historic venues including the Electric Ballroom in Camden; the O2 Academy, Brixton; and Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, is now set to stage the biggest independent pro wrestling event in the UK for more than 30 years when it runs at the SSE Arena, Wembley at the end of September.
Calacus Managing Director, David Alexander, said: “I grew up watching Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks and then seeing the growth in popularity of WWE in the UK.
“PROGRESS has established itself as a fun-packed spectacle which is growing year to year. We’re looking forward to ensuring that their Wembley event is a packed house and that the personalities and drama of the shows is experienced by the widest possible audience.”
PROGRESS Wrestling founder Jon Briley added: “PROGRESS Wrestling shows feature the best of British talent – they’re loud and feature grown men and women losing themselves in the moment in an atmosphere unrivalled throughout pro wrestling.
“This is a big year for us, with our shows taking place not only in the UK but the United States, Germany and Australia and we’re confident of maintaining our record of having sold every ticket that has ever been put on sale since our first show.”
“The SSE Arena will be our biggest show ever – with thousands of wrestling fans enjoying the best of British wrestling talent and we’re delighted that Calacus will help us to reach new audiences.”
Over the past few years PROGRESS Wrestling has established itself as the world’s leading independent pro wrestling company, bringing an acclaimed brand of hard-hitting, strong-style action with a focus on using British wrestlers.
PROGRESS was set up by comedian Jim Smallman and promoter Jon Briley after they had put on a comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe in in 2011.
Actor, director and musician Glen Joseph joined as the company’s third owner in 2012, overseeing production and acting as the lead commentator.
PROGRESS’s punk rock-themed show premiered in Islington, London, just over six months later and they have enjoyed great success which has resulted in expansion to larger venues in London as well as others around the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield as well as the Sonisphere Festival and the Download Festival.
PROGRESS have also travelled to the United States for 2017's Wrestlemania Weekend, including their own show in Orlando, New York and Boston and will appear at the Wrestlemania Weekend 2018 in New Orleans.
In 2018 PROGRESS will return to Germany, where it has staged an event in Cologne, as well as playing shows in Australia for the first time – all in addition to its busiest UK schedule to date.
This year there are three major events taking place in the UK:
- Alexandra Palace, May 5-7
- Victoria Warehouse, May 20
- Wembley Arena, September 30
The Alexandra Palace weekend will host Europe’s biggest pro wrestling tournament, SUPER STRONG STYLE 16, featuring world-renowned names such as WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, Lucha Underground star Angelico, WWN Champion Keith Lee and many more.
Although independent, PROGRESS has worked with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), holding qualifying matches for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic tournament in 2016, and being invited to be the first ever guest promotion to appear at Wrestlemania Axxess in 2017.
For more information about PROGRESS Wrestling, please visit: www.progresswrestling.com/
