10 Best British Wrestling Matches Of 2016
7. Marty Scurll Vs. Mark Haskins (PROGRESS Chapter 26)
Finn Balor's Universal Championship turmoil will go down as one of wrestling's most depressing stories in 2016, but Mark Haskins' personal tale is just as bad. Long considered the ultra-talented underdog of British wrestling, Haskins toiled for years at the top of PROGRESS' card, but he couldn't quite make the major breakthrough. He had everything but luck on his side, and when he eventually captured the PROGRESS Championship at Chapter 36 in September, it was one of the most cathartic moments in the company's history.
It wasn't to last, however. Haskins cryptically left his belt lying in the ring two shows later, and it was soon revealed that he'd been forced to relinquish due to injury. A severe neck injury has put his career on the backburner, and there are strong suggestions that he might never wrestle again.
Haskins' finest match came against Marty Scurll back in February. Scurll, the PROGRESS Champion, had Recently demolished Will Ospreay in an outstanding No DQ match, and Haskins was the first to step up to him. Haskins came closer to toppling The Villain than ever before, but Chapter 26 was just another shortcoming in the end. Haskins tapped to Scurll's Chickenwing, and Scurll dealt further damage with a vicious post-match chair assault.
The match served not only to further Haskins' story as PROGRESS' perennial also-ran, but firmly sealed Scurll's transition to the country's top heel. It's an excellent technical showdown between two of the country's finest, and one that'll leave you praying for Haskins' swift recovery.