PROGRESS Wrestling Didn’t Believe Paul Robinson Presented A Risk To Talent, Robinson Parts Ways

PROGRESS Wrestling and Paul Robinson have parted ways.

PROGRESS returned to action this past Saturday, February 20, for their first show in almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Robinson, the reigning PROGRESS Proteus Championship, was named as part of the Speaking Out movement and worked the event on Saturday. 

The company issued a statement on Monday, February 22, saying “all talent were aware who would be working backstage on the show, and no issues were raised.” 

On Thursday, the company issued another statement, saying Robinson has parted ways with them.

Update 25th February 2021
Our communication over the last number of days has not been good enough and we’re sorry.

In the statements of the 20th and 22nd of February, we shared the talent feedback about their experiences at the tapings, specifically regarding safeguarding measures put in place, COVID safety precautions, and the overall work environment.

The purpose of the statement on the 22nd of February was to address Paul Robinson. We were wrong to include the feedback of talent on the general work environment in this statement. It was not the correct time nor place, and we would like to take this opportunity to unreservedly apologise to the talent and crew for including them in the statement. PROGRESS are wholly responsible for their own staffing decisions.

Moving forward there will be a group made up of talent and crew, who will be able to review any non-promotional communications that mention talent or crew. This group will be independent of company management and administrative staff.

SAFEGUARDING

Our safeguarding procedures can be found here. 

PAUL ROBINSON

We are aware of a number of posts on social media in regards to PROGRESS’ decision to have Paul Robinson at the tapings. 

In regards to Paul Robinson, no disclosures were made to PROGRESS about his conduct following a post on the social media platform, Twitter, originally shared on 22 June 2020 at 11:30 am (UK Time). A review took place by the Lead Safeguarding Officer, and findings were given to members of PROGRESS management, who were also made aware of the information posted online.

In light of this, conversations were had with Paul Robinson and it was determined that he did not present a risk to talent and staff. As a result, a decision was made to move ahead with the measures in place and contact talent and personnel in readiness for production. 

In our 22 February update, we confirmed Paul Robinson’s involvement in the production and requested that if anyone had any information, to contact us at progress@progresswrestling.com. To date, no disclosures have been made and no further information has been presented to us externally or internally.

As of 25 February, Paul Robinson has decided to part ways with PROGRESS. 

COMMUNICATIONS GOING FORWARD

With this announcement, we would like to take the opportunity to say that it is not, has never been, and never will be our intention to stick our heads in the sand and ignore you, the fans and members of the public. 

We must be responsible when making statements about matters that involve other people. We must make sure that due care is given to the needs, security, and rights of the human beings involved. 

If anyone has any further information or wishes to make safeguarding disclosures, please submit these to the new dedicated inbox safeguarding@progresswrestling.com. Any and all communication will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

Our goal is to create the most entertaining pro wrestling product that we can. We will continue to strive to make our industry safer and more professional and to do right by fans and talent.

Thank you for reading.

PROGRESS is set to hold its Chapter 105 event on Saturday, February 27 on WWE Network. Robinson worked as an agent for the event, according to the prior statement.

You can find results from Chapter 104 by clicking here.