Former PROGRESS Wrestling Co-Owner Issues Statement After Nikki Cross & Big Damo Acquire Promotion

A statement from a former PROGRESS Wrestling owner.

On May 26th, the announcement was made that Nikki Storm, a.k.a. Nikki Cross, and her husband, fellow wrestler Big Damo, acquired the PROGRESS Wrestling and DEFY Wrestling promotions.

Now-former co-owner of PROGRESS, Lee McAteer, took to social media and issued a statement about his time at the helm of PROGRESS.

“Being a custodian of PROGRESS Wrestling has been one of the greatest honours of my life, and with fellow owners Martyn Best and Matt Buczek, we have restored and protected PROGRESS and leave it in a stronger place for it to grow to the next level.

I have been so proud of the connection we have nurtured with our loyal fans, and it will be something I will always treasure.

I am delighted that we are handing the company over to two people I have great admiration for, and who are highly respected throughout the wrestling community. Big Damo and Nikki Cross are British and Irish wrestling royalty, and after hearing their thoughts, I know that the most exciting chapter in PROGRESS’s history is still to come.

I am incredibly excited for the future of PROGRESS under Big Damo and Nikki. Let’s all get behind both of them.

To all the PROGRESS fans, wrestlers, colleagues and partners, thank you.

Lee McAteer”

Thank you PROGRESS Wrestling. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ErSXSY8aSJ

— Lee McAteer (@MrLeeMcAteer) May 26, 2026

Cross’ run with WWE came to an end in April 2026 when she was one of many talent departures. She exited the company along with the entire Wyatt Sicks stable.