10 Awesome Wrestling Matches You May Have Missed In 2018

6. WALTER Vs. Timothy Thatcher (PROGRESS Chapter 62 - 28 January)

Buddy Murphy Mustafa Ali
PROGRESS/Head Drop

You won't find a more realistic portrayal of violence within the context of a traditional pro-wrestling match in 2018 than when Timothy Thatcher and WALTER met at PROGRESS Chapter 62.

These two know each other well. Both are based out of Germany's wXw, where they work together in the promotion's training academy, and team as Ringkampf. Each is a stiff, no-nonsense bruiser. Their approaches vary (WALTER is monstrous; Thatcher is surgical), but both are certified ring generals. They seize limbs not only to hurt, but to snap sinews and tear ligaments. When they chop, they aren't satisfied if they don't burst a few blood vessels, leaving the opponent's chest looking like ground beef.

But while fans are used to seeing Ringkampf enact this kind of brutality on opponents, few could've predicted them doing it to each other. That's exactly what happened inside Camden's white-hot Electric Ballroom.

Thatcher's chest was red raw in minutes. He retaliated by destroying WALTER's hand, viciously removed one of his greatest weapons (his chops). At one point, WALTER got so fed up with his f*cking tag team partner that he chops him full-force in the face. The nastiness is unreal, but never unbelievable.

And these guys are friends.

Watch: Demand PROGRESS (paywall)

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.