London, UK – PROGRESS Wrestling is marking International Women’s Day 2026 with a landmark event: the inaugural Women’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament. The promotion’s commitment to elevating women’s wrestling is taking center stage as the industry celebrates the achievements of women worldwide on Sunday, March 8th. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give To Gain,” resonates deeply with PROGRESS’s long-standing dedication to providing equal opportunities and investment in female talent.
The Women’s Super Strong Style 16 represents a significant step forward for independent wrestling, offering a platform for female competitors to showcase their skills on one of the sport’s most respected stages. PROGRESS Wrestling Co-Owner Lee McAteer emphasized that this initiative isn’t simply a symbolic gesture, but a continuation of a deliberate strategy to build a thriving and equitable women’s division. “At PROGRESS, ‘Give To Gain’ isn’t just a slogan, it’s how we’ve built our women’s division from the ground up,” McAteer stated. “By giving women the same platform, the same spotlight and the same level of investment as our male talent, we witness careers accelerated, matches elevated and the entire roster lifted.”
The tournament is already underway, with initial matches taking place across the UK, and Europe. The culmination of the Women’s Super Strong Style 16 will be a showpiece event held at the Electric Ballroom in Camden on May’s Bank Holiday weekend, solidifying women’s wrestling as a central attraction for PROGRESS’s biggest spectacle of the year. This event underscores a growing trend within the promotion, where women’s matches are increasingly headlining events and drawing significant attention.
A Tournament Built on Progress
PROGRESS Wrestling has a history of championing elite female wrestling, fostering a pathway for athletes to achieve their ambitions. From compelling World Championship title matches to captivating rivalries, the promotion’s women’s division has become a prominent force in the independent wrestling scene. Many of PROGRESS’s female stars have gone on to compete internationally, gaining recognition on a global scale. The 2026 Women’s Super Strong Style 16 builds on this foundation, providing a proving ground for the next generation of talent.
Current PROGRESS Women’s World Champion, Alexxis Falcon, expressed her pride in being part of a promotion that actively breaks down barriers for female wrestlers. “It shows how far the women have come in PROGRESS now we have a female Super Strong Style 16 tournament,” Falcon said. “We are a long way from one match on a card. We are now the Main Event and everyone is talking about women’s Super Strong Style and I am so hyped for all the women who are in it.” She highlighted the potential for the tournament to be a career-changing opportunity for participants.
Investing in the Future of Women’s Wrestling
Beyond the tournament itself, PROGRESS Wrestling is committed to supporting the next generation of female wrestlers. Rising star Maddy Morgan shared how debuting with PROGRESS was a dream come true, providing her with invaluable experience both in and out of the ring. “For me, debuting on PROGRESS was a dream,” Morgan explained. “Working with PROGRESS has helped me out so much, not just with my performance in the ring but also with the professional side to wrestling. This includes advice on connections in the wrestling world, how to present myself properly and how to protect myself in the industry.”
Former PROGRESS Women’s World Champion, Rhio, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the hard work and dedication of women in the industry. “I’m so proud of all the women that have competed at PROGRESS and around the world that have worked so hard,” Rhio added. “We are going in the right direction and are receiving the recognition we deserve for the hard work we have been putting in.”
The commitment to women’s wrestling at PROGRESS reflects a broader understanding that when women are given equal opportunities, the entire industry benefits. As McAteer stated, the “Give To Gain” philosophy is central to the promotion’s success, fostering a collaborative environment where talent can flourish.
Tickets for the Super Strong Style 16 tournament and further information about International Women’s Day 2026 are available here and here.
Looking ahead, the success of the Women’s Super Strong Style 16 is poised to further elevate the profile of women’s wrestling within PROGRESS and the wider independent circuit. The tournament’s impact will likely extend beyond the ring, inspiring a new generation of female athletes and solidifying PROGRESS Wrestling’s position as a champion of inclusivity and opportunity. Share your thoughts on this exciting development in the comments below.
