The PROGRESS Women’s Championship will be defended in the co-main event of PROGRESS Chapter 115: For The Hearts That Never Played In Tune as Kanji takes on both Gisele Shaw and Laura Di Matteo, Inside The Ropes can exclusively reveal.
The triple threat bout stems from Di Matteo’s unsuccessful Women’s Title challenge at Chapter 114 earlier this month. Whilst her gutsy performance impressed enough to earn her another shot at the gold, Shaw ensured that she remained in contention as well – attacking both the champion and challenger after the match to stake her own claim to the title.
Kanji, who captured the promotion’s vacant Women’s Championship in May, told Inside The Ropes why this upcoming title defence will prove that she’s the standout star of the PROGRESS women’s division.
“I already know what they’re both going to say, Laura is going to be respectful, because we’ve been through war and earned that mutual stance. Gisele? She’s going to say she deserves a shot again, when I’ve already beaten her on two occasions one-on-one in the PROGRESS ring. Fact is, people think they’re doing damage, playing the mental game. But really, they’re just hyping me up. Some people are built to be a stand in, I’m the standout of this division, and it doesn’t matter how many times Gisele attacks me after a match, I’m still standing.”
Gisele Shaw, however, believes that she should already be PROGRESS Women’s Champion after winning a #1 contenders match to challenge for the title over a year before Kanji even debuted in PROGRESS.
“I’ve had my eyes set on the PROGRESS title since day 1. I should already be the champion as I won a #1 contenders match before Kanji even stepped into my company. The only reason she won the Thunderbastard is because I let her, I didn’t even need to be in that match as I’ve already proven I’m the standard of this division. In terms of Laura? You saw me stand tall at the end of the last Chapter after she couldn’t get the job done against Kanji, and spoiler, that’s how Saturday night is going to end, with me as the PROGRESS Women’s Champion.”
Giving her own comments on the match, Laura Di Matteo recalled how she’s been chasing the championship since its inception over four years ago and made it clear she’s out for revenge against Gisele!
“Throughout my career in PROGRESS, I’ve had some ground-breaking moments. I made history by being part of the first ever Women’s Championship match, however I lost. Since then I’ve been chasing that title, but somehow I keep falling short. I learnt to come back stronger every single time and that’s exactly what I’ll keep doing until the PROGRESS Women’s Title is around my waist. Kanji has been a great champion so far, and I look forward to proving myself against her one more time. As for Gisele, once the bell rings on Saturday? Trust me, she won’t be running her mouth anymore.”
Elsewhere at Chapter 115: Cara Noir will defend the PROGRESS World Championship against British Wrestling legend Jody Fleisch whilst Charlie Sterling and Nick Riley of The Smokin’ Aces will collide in a #1 Contenders match to determine the promotion’s next world title challenger.
PROGRESS Chapter 115: For The Hearts That Never Played In Tune will stream live via Peacock and the WWE Network at 5pm BST on July 17th. The show will also be available on-demand at Demand PROGRESS.