On Monday, May 5th, PROGRESS Wrestling concluded their annual event, “Super Strong Style 16.” Sixteen men went at it in a tournament-style bracket, but there would only be one winner. In the main event of Day 2, the finals of the tournament saw Man Like DeReiss square off with his Boisterous Behavior tag team partner, Leon Slater.

In a tournament, which started back in 2015, that had winners such as Will Ospreay, Tommy End, Zack Sabre Jr., and most recently Luke Jacobs in 2024, Man Like DeReiss punched his name into the history books. DeReiss defeated his tag team partner, and best friend, Slater with a 450-splash from the top rope to win the tournament.

What makes this moment even more special is that Man Like DeReiss and Slater made history in the finals, making 2025 the first year where two people of color closed out the tournament. Man Like DeReiss became the first African-American to win the whole thing, making it much more special.

DeReiss knocked off Ethan Allen, Masa Kitamiya, and Charlie Sterling to make it to the finals, whereas Slater defeated Jack Morris, Zozaya, and Michael Oku to earn his spot. The winner of the tournament earns a Progress Men’s World Championship opportunity, which is currently held by last year’s winner, Luke Jacobs.

DeReiss appears to be on a collision course with another one of the top wrestlers on the British independent wrestling scene today, and the showdown could easily be a MOTY contender. Jacobs retained his PROGRESS Men’s World Championship over Cara Noir in today’s event.

You can check out the entire 2025 Super Strong Style 16 tournament on TrillerTV+, and on PROGRESS Wrestling’s On Demand service.