[7.0] "Havoc/ZSJ was a really fun 50/50 clash of styles battle, great way to kick off the show (***1/2), Drake/Spud I had no expectations for, but it ended up being my favorite singles match on the show - really good stuff (***1/2), Jinny/Storm was good (***), JML/SPPT was MOTN - just a very entertaining spotfest sprint (***3/4), Riddle/Seven was good, some of the silly unnecessary fighting spirit no selling moments brought it down a notch though (***), Bate/Mandrews wasn't my kind of a match, just nothing interesting happened until the finishing stretch which was very good (*1/2), Dunne/Haskins was a pretty solid main event - wanted to see more selling in it tho (**1/2). Overall PROGRESS' US debut went very well. A strong show."

[7.0] "A busy couple of weeks for Progress culminated in their first American appearance in front-of a (late-arriving -> traffic) sold-out house of 1600 fans hoping to get a 'Progress' experience. It certainly wasn't that. First off, Smallman was far more muted, and perhaps less comfortable, in front of this crowd and barely made an impression. Second, I expected the UK fans to make much more of a verbal impact, teaching us ignorant Yanks how to properly create chants. And yet there was nary a peep from the British contingency. I wonder if those folks this year held back their wallet to save for next year's destruction in N Orleans ala '14. Many latecomers were upset that the ZSJ/Havoc match went-on first. Although the match felt like guys going through the motions w/out much passion, it was cool to see the surprisingly sinewy Havoc for the first time live in 17 months. I don't get how an arm of that size could get over 'The Rainmaker' as a destructive finisher, but then again I'm not as 'wink-wink' as most British fans. ZSJ's busted open, Havoc got out of an Octopus hold w/ the oddest belly-to-back pdriver ever, but this bout didn't register highly. Perhaps b/c it felt heatless. Spud was on the show to put over the ineffectual J Drake. Jinny has the posture, presence and bearing of a woman one would like to sit on his face. One of the showstealers of the entire weekend was the SPPT/Callihan-Strickland tag. Evidently, TK Cooper was in town to steal the show w/ his spinning leaps whereas Banks was, as always, the glue. Unfortunately, the D Black/Cooper lovefest was rated PG-13/12; I harassed her on this point b/c I did spend 75 dollars and all. Poor T Seven, he used to be a Roman Legionnaire w/ his shield, and now all he has is another belt. He could lose a few, but he and the following Bate/Mandrews showdowns were enjoyable if predictable. Most people felt Haskins was regaining; I was pleased he didn't as after his 'relinquishing' he doesn't yet deserve it again."