Match #1: Scarlett Howl vs. Grizelda (with the Coven) Referee: 'Slow-Count' Sam
The opening match of NPCW’s house show in Halifax delivered plenty of drama as Scarlett Howl faced off against Grizelda, backed by her sinister Coven. The crowd was vocal from the start, rallying behind the fiery and tenacious Howl, while booing Grizelda and her dark entourage at every turn.
Scarlett Howl came out of the gate strong, landing a punishing Headbutt followed by a beautifully executed Vertical Suplex. Her power and precision were on full display as she stayed focused on the fight despite Grizelda’s tactical counters, including a Kick to Chest and her crafty Hair Pull Snap Mare Series.
The Coven wasted no time making their presence felt, darkening the arena lights mid-match to give Grizelda an opening and later throwing Green Mist into Howl’s eyes. These blatant acts of interference added fuel to the crowd’s disdain for the Coven and left Scarlett reeling, forcing her onto the defensive for several rounds.
The turning point came when Scarlett Howl managed to rally, hitting a fierce Belly to Back Pendulum Facebuster and a second Vertical Suplex. Grizelda attempted to capitalize on the chaos by locking Scarlett into a Boston Crab and landing her devastating Enchanted Ending (Sit-Out Piledriver), but Howl refused to give up, staying resilient despite the underhanded tactics of her opponent.
The match culminated in the 20th minute when the Coven’s constant interference backfired, as the referee disqualified Grizelda after another attempt at throwing Green Mist. Scarlett Howl was declared the victor, earning a well-deserved win despite the odds stacked against her.
Winner: Scarlett Howl via Disqualification (Coven Interference)
Kent’s Take: The Coven’s antics and blatant interference took away from what could’ve been a cleaner contest. Scarlett Howl deserves credit for maintaining her composure and proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in the women’s division. As for Grizelda, her reliance on the Coven may ultimately hurt her credibility. Overall, a solid opening match with plenty of storyline development, but it leaves fans wondering how Scarlett will fare in a fair fight—or if that’s even possible against the Coven.
Match #2: Mina Harker (Hunter's Enclave) vs. Malice (Queens of Punishment, with Mad Hatter) Referee: 'Slow-Count' Sam
The second match of the night featured Mina Harker of the Hunter's Enclave taking on the powerhouse Malice of the Queens of Punishment, accompanied by her ever-chaotic manager, the Mad Hatter. While this clash had all the makings of a technical masterpiece, Mad Hatter’s antics turned it into something entirely different—a chaotic spectacle filled with controversy.
Malice started strong, immediately grounding Mina with a punishing Modified Scorpion Crosslock that set the tone for her dominance. However, Mina rallied with her signature Black Widow Octopus Hold, showcasing the resilience and technical prowess she’s become known for. The back-and-forth action continued with Malice landing impactful Snap Suplexes, but Mina refused to back down, hitting a crisp Tornado DDT and a perfectly executed Shining Wizard to turn the momentum in her favor.
Just as the match was heating up, the Mad Hatter’s unrelenting antics came into play. The unpredictable manager caused numerous distractions, including repeatedly shoving the referee and ranting nonsensically at ringside. Somehow, Malice avoided disqualification during these outbursts, much to the crowd’s frustration.
The turning point came when Mina launched herself with a Diving Crossbody to Floor, sending Malice reeling. But once again, the Mad Hatter's interference crossed the line. As Malice struggled to re-enter the ring, the referee finally had enough and called for the disqualification, awarding Mina the win.
Winner: Mina Harker via Disqualification (Mad Hatter Interference)
Kent’s Take: While this match highlighted Mina Harker’s tenacity and athleticism, it was marred by the incessant involvement of the Mad Hatter. Malice showed flashes of her raw power and skill but was ultimately undermined by her manager’s antics, leaving fans wondering what could have been in a cleaner contest. The referee, ‘Slow-Count’ Sam, took far too long to enforce order, but the eventual disqualification was inevitable given the Hatter’s relentless chaos. Both Mina and Malice deserve a rematch under tighter officiating—and ideally with the Mad Hatter far from the ring.
Match #3: Tin Man (Wizard's Wonders) vs. Black Knight Referee: 'Honest' Abe
The third match of the evening featured two fan favorites in a technically proficient clash as Tin Man of the Wizard’s Wonders battled the enigmatic Black Knight. Both competitors brought their A-game, treating the Halifax crowd to a hard-hitting contest that showcased grit, skill, and a constant momentum shift.
The opening moments set the tone, with both men trading suplexes—Tin Man’s Takeover Suplex versus Black Knight’s German Suplex. From there, the two engaged in an intense exchange of strikes and holds, with Tin Man landing sharp Knee Strikes while Black Knight countered with moves like a crisp Dropkick and the visually stunning Asai Moonsault into a DDT.
The middle portion of the match saw Tin Man gain the upper hand with his rugged approach, hitting a series of Legsweeps and Belly-to-Belly Suplexes that kept the Black Knight on the defensive. Black Knight, however, refused to stay down, showing flashes of his athleticism with moves like the Kip-Up Frankensteiner and the high-flying Springboard 450 Splash.
The momentum teetered back and forth into the final moments, as Tin Man’s resilience and methodical offense began to wear down the Black Knight. After a series of grueling exchanges, Tin Man planted his opponent with a decisive Belly-to-Belly Suplex, securing the three-count and the hard-earned victory.
Winner: Tin Man via Pinfall (Belly-to-Belly Suplex)
Kent’s Take: This was a classic display of two wrestlers who know how to tell a story in the ring. Tin Man continues to impress with his steady and deliberate offense, while Black Knight wowed with his combination of power and athleticism. The match had a little bit of everything—power, technical prowess, and high-flying moves. While the result gives Tin Man well-deserved momentum, Black Knight’s performance ensures he won’t be an afterthought in NPCW’s competitive landscape.
Match #4: Gods of War (Ares & Mars) vs. Jolly Elves (Merry & Jingle) Referee: 'Slow-Count' Sam
The penultimate match of the night pitted the overwhelming strength and relentless aggression of the Gods of War, Ares and Mars, against the scrappy underdogs of the Jolly Elves, Merry and Jingle. While the Gods of War came in as the heavy favorites, the Jolly Elves proved that heart and teamwork could stand up to brute force, delivering an inspiring and energetic performance that brought the Halifax crowd to life.
The match began with Ares and Mars immediately asserting their dominance, double-teaming Jingle with moves like a Side Russian Leg Sweep from Ares and a bone-crunching Bearhug from Mars. The Gods of War kept control for the early minutes, cycling through their brutal offense and utilizing their tag chemistry to wear down Jingle. However, the Jolly Elves wouldn’t back down, with Jingle landing his signature Elven Twist (Spinning Kick) to give his team a sliver of hope.
Momentum shifted when Merry entered the fray, bringing an infectious energy that revitalized the Jolly Elves’ attack. Merry’s Elfin Driver (Piledriver) and a perfectly timed Jingle All the Way (Double Dropkick) gave the Elves a much-needed surge. Even under immense pressure, Merry and Jingle’s double-teaming ingenuity frequently left the Gods of War on the back foot, frustrating Ares and Mars as they struggled to regain control.
The highlight of the match came in the final stretch when Jingle pulled off a relentless assault, landing move after move—including his trademark Kick in the Pants. The Gods of War mounted a strong defense, but ultimately, Jingle’s quickness and Merry’s determination proved too much. Jingle sealed the upset victory with another Kick in the Pants, pinning Ares for the 1-2-3 and shocking the Halifax crowd.
Winner: Jolly Elves (Jingle pinned Ares via Kick in the Pants)
Kent’s Take: This was a classic David-versus-Goliath encounter, with the Jolly Elves delivering a gutsy performance to topple the more powerful Gods of War. While Ares and Mars showcased their brute strength and efficient teamwork, their inability to adapt to the Elves’ fast-paced, crafty style led to their downfall. Jingle and Merry proved that sometimes heart, chemistry, and creativity can overcome sheer size and strength. A feel-good victory for the Jolly Elves that sets the stage for what could be an exciting climb up the tag team division.
Main Event: Peter Cottontail vs. Cheshire Cat (with Mad Hatter) Referee: 'Honest' Abe
The highly anticipated main event pitted the beloved Peter Cottontail against the ever-elusive Cheshire Cat, who was flanked by his manager, the mischievous and unpredictable Mad Hatter. While the match brought moments of excitement and daring athleticism, it was ultimately overshadowed by constant interference from the Hatter.
From the outset, the Mad Hatter made his presence felt, throwing hot tea into Peter Cottontail’s face in the first minute to give Cheshire Cat a dominant opening. The dirty tactic put Peter on the back foot, but the resilient Cottontail refused to stay down, countering with impressive moves like a Leaping Judo Chop and a beautifully executed Flying Crossbody.
Cheshire Cat’s clever and acrobatic offense, including multiple Standing Diamond Dust maneuvers and a sharp Hurricanrana, kept the crowd intrigued as he continually targeted Peter’s limbs. The Mad Hatter’s interference remained a constant throughout the bout, with another tea-throwing incident in the seventh minute nearly costing Peter the match. Despite these blatant distractions, Peter managed to kick out of multiple pin attempts, earning the crowd’s admiration for his tenacity.
As the match progressed, Peter looked to rally, hitting a string of impactful moves such as Deep Armdrags and Knife Edge Chops. However, Cheshire Cat’s calculated precision and the constant edge provided by the Mad Hatter’s interference gave him the upper hand when it mattered most. The match concluded in the 16th minute when Cheshire Cat delivered a pinpoint Shotgun Front Dropkick to finally secure the three-count.
Winner: Cheshire Cat via Pinfall (Shotgun Front Dropkick)
Kent’s Take: While this match featured strong performances from both competitors, the Mad Hatter’s repeated interference robbed it of the clean competition that fans were hoping for. Peter Cottontail’s resilience and connection with the audience remain undeniable, but Cheshire Cat’s antics, bolstered by Hatter’s meddling, continue to make him one of NPCW’s most devious villains. Hopefully, future encounters between these two will see tighter officiating—and perhaps a manager-free Cheshire Cat—so that Peter can truly shine.
Kent’s Overall Take: The NPCW house show in Halifax delivered a night of memorable moments, hard-fought battles, and plenty of chaos. From Scarlett Howl overcoming the odds against Grizelda and the Coven to the scrappy Jolly Elves shocking the Gods of War, the card was packed with diverse matchups and evolving storylines. However, the evening also highlighted a recurring issue: managerial interference. Both the Mad Hatter and the Coven left their fingerprints all over their respective matches, tipping the scales and, at times, undermining the quality of the competition. While these antics draw heat and fuel the drama, they often deprive fans of the clean and decisive finishes they crave.
For Match of the Night, the edge goes to the third contest: Tin Man vs. Black Knight. This was a clinic in technical wrestling and storytelling, with both competitors showcasing their unique styles in a gripping back-and-forth encounter. Tin Man’s calculated offense against Black Knight’s athleticism delivered a match that resonated with the crowd and kept them engaged from bell to bell. It’s a testament to what NPCW can produce when the action speaks for itself without interference.
While the managerial distractions may have overshadowed some of the night’s key moments, NPCW continues to excel at creating characters and conflicts that leave fans wanting more. Here’s hoping future shows balance the theatrics with the wrestling in a way that lets the talent in the ring truly shine. The Halifax crowd certainly got their money’s worth, but there’s room to fine-tune the madness into magic.
No comments:
Post a Comment