Sons & Daughters Of The Desert was the historic first PROGRESS event to be held in Dubai. In partnership with local promotion Wrestlefest DXB, the event took place at Warehouse Four, Dubai on Saturday 10th December 2022. Lana Austin faced Kanji in a Championship title rematch, Spike Trivet defended his PROGRESS World title for the second time in Dubai against Axel Tischer, the Atlas title was being defended by Big Damo and the Dubai World Wrestling title was fought for not once, but twice in a event hosted by Session Moth Martina.
PROGRESS WRESTLING SUPERSHOW Sons & Daughters Of The Desert Warehouse Four, Dubai. 10th December 2022.
Main Event PROGRESS WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP Lana Austin (c) Def. Kanji PROGRESS MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP Spike Trivet (c) Def. Axel Tischer PROGRESS ATLAS CHAMPIONSHIP Big Damo Def. Dan Moloney DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Tate Mayfairs Def. Shaheen DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Dan Moloney Def. Tate Mayfairs Sunshine Machine Def. MK And Fayez Session Moth Martina Def. Lizzy Evo
This historic first ever PROGRESS Wrestling in Dubai was headlined with the huge PROGRESS Championship rematch between the champion and the Daily Star’s favourite wrestler, "Queen of Mean" Lana Austin and twice-former PROGRESS Women's champion Kanji. Kanji claimed her immediate rematch after the events of Chapter 146: They Think It's All Over... with the extra caveat that the other members of The Lana Austin Experience (Skye Smitson & LA Taylor) wouldn't be at ringside.
This title match is also a history making moment as it is the first ever Women's World championship match to ever take place in Dubai. As per their previous match this went back and forth with each wrestler gaining the upper hand, but eventually Lana picked up another win over Kanji to retain the title. The match was also notable for Lizzy Evo filming Lana's entrance from behind the curtain. Why and what Lizzy did this for, currently we have no idea.
Spike Trivet, the PROGRESS Men's champion had previously defended his title in Dubai against local Emirati wrestler MK, and now he had Axel Tischer in his sights. Tischer had picked up the big pinfall victory during the tag match at Chapter 146 against Luke Jacobs and Leon Slater, which PROGRESS management then deemed him the number one contender to the title.
Much like Lana Austin, Spike wanted to prove he could succeed without the ever menacing Dark Guardian, Bullit, facing Axel one on one. Spike eluded the Wolf's many attempts to take the title from him. Axel took Spike to his very limits, but ultimately the Vulture continued his dominant run by picking up yet another victory.
Dan Moloney came within mere inches of becoming the PROGRESS Men's World Champion against Big Damo, until Spike Trivet unlocked his Championship title shot at PROGRESS Chapter 139: Warriors Come Out To Play, knocking Moloney clean out and several chair shots later pinned Big Damo to become the new champion. Since Chapter 139, Damo went onto beat Luke Jacobs for the Atlas Championship and has been defending against all comers ever since. So it was only a matter of time before 'Drilla' stepped up for his shot at the Atlas title.
Once again the two fighters put on a brutal brawling clinic for everyone in attendance, and it was Big Damo who just managed to get win and retain his title once more. Although this would not be the last time we saw Dan Moloney in a title match at the event...
The Dubai World Wrestling Championship changed hands not once but twice at the event. First Tate Mayfairs made good on his promise of becoming a champion before the end of 2022 by pinning Shaheen after once again employing his brass knuckles to gain the upper-hand.
Shaheen has become the first Emirati to wrestle overseas, and he deserved more respect from Tate.
With Wrestlefest DXB and PROGRESS management not happy with Tate's continual rule breaking and disrespectful behaviour, Tate was required to defend his title immediately, with Dan 'Drilla' Moloney answering the call.
After a brutal bout, and a visit to the balcony, Drilla ended everyone's misery and handed Tate the honour of the shortest ever Dubai World Championship reign as he crowned himself the new Champion. This was Moloney’s third visit to Wrestlefest, and he had become quite a fan’s favourite, now even more so.
Sunshine Machine arrived with their trademark beach balls in tow to electrify the crowd in this non title match against Wrestlfest DXB tag team MK & Fayez. TK and Mambo wowed the crowd in attendance with their incredible high flying style, but MK and Fayez put in a superb effort, with their very own offence, but the PROGRESS Tag Team Champions, Sunshine Machine walked away the victors.
Opening the proceedings Session Moth Martina was host for the evening the first ever Irish wrestling host and in another first, the first female Irish wrestler to compete in the region and completed her celebrations by picking up the victory against the returning Lizzy Evo. Lizzy made a point of describing herself as the “First Scouser to wrestle in Dubai”
The next PROGRESS Wrestling show is back at the Electric Ballroom on December 30th for Unboxing Live V: Deal Or No Deal. Limited tickets are on sale at http://bit.ly/UNBOXING5.
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