July 17, 2025 - Seattle, Washington
By Dave "The Brute" Kent, Ace Wrestling Reporter
I call it like I see it—and sometimes what I see makes me sick.
Seattle was soaked in steel and storytelling as NPCW’s Polar Power tour rumbled through the RainDome with five fights that proved sunshine ain’t required for heat. The night kicked off with the Dark Duchess, Queen of Spades, attempting to make a statement against the twisted fury of Malice. Then came the mechanical muscle of the Nutcracker Legion squaring off against the heart-and-guts duo of Tin Man and Lion. In Match 3, the crowd erupted as the Jolly Elves and Howlers tore into each other in a thirty-minute tag team war that felt more personal than seasonal. Van Helsing took Belsnickel to the dark side of discipline in a singles slugfest, and the night closed with royalty clashing in the cold — Regina, the Evil Queen, locked up with Lady Frost in a main event that had more interference than a crooked magic mirror. Five matches, two factions on the brink, and zero apologies — let’s break it down. No words barred.
Match 1: Dark Duchess, Queen of Spades Vs Malice
You want bad blood? This was high-octane poison.
The moment the Dark Duchess strutted to the ring with the grinning lunatic Mad Hatter at her side, you could cut the tension with an obsidian blade. Opposite her was Malice—bruiser, betrayer, and now banner-carrier for the newly formed Queens of Despair—stalking down the ramp with The Huntsman looming like a forest fire in the fog. These two didn’t come to wrestle. They came to make a statement.
Match Recap:
From the opening bell, it was a chess match of brutality. The Duchess landed a picture-perfect Corner Diving Double Knee Drop, only to get rocked seconds later by Malice’s raw power via Powerbomb. The two traded momentum with neither gaining a solid lead until the third minute, where Malice cleverly reversed a Straight Jacket Choke into a Snap Suplex—a sign of ring IQ not often attributed to the muscle-bound mauler.
But the Duchess wouldn’t stay grounded. Her Frog Splash in the 4th minute reminded everyone why she’s the most aerially gifted member of the Queens of Punishment. Back-and-forth they went: Cradle DDTs, Hurricanranas, Snap Suplexes, and enough Forehand Chops to fill a lumber camp.
Then came the turning point. In the 7th minute, The Huntsman—ever the silent menace—landed a clubbing blow behind Honest Abe’s back. It gave Malice a huge edge… but the Duchess fought through it like a woman possessed. Every time Malice tried to impose her will, the Duchess answered with finesse: a Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissors here, a Queen’s Checkmate there.
The crowd was hot by minute 20, and rightfully so—these two didn’t just wrestle, they went to war. Despite Malice locking in a Cloverleaf and even executing a desperation Spinning Leghook Fireman's Carry Slam, the Duchess weathered it all.
In the 25th and final minute, the Dark Duchess hit her second Queen’s Checkmate Double Knee Facebreaker of the match, and this time, Malice stayed down. 1-2-3. No controversy. No escape.
Kent’s Brutally Honest Take:
Look, this wasn’t perfect, but it was damn close. The pacing sagged a bit in the middle—too many rinse-repeat suplexes and filler strikes—but that’s a nitpick in a match that delivered far more than it missed. The Huntsman interference could’ve tipped the balance, but the Duchess still pulled off the win clean. That matters.
Malice continues to evolve from tag brute to singles threat, and while she took the L here, she didn’t lose stock. But make no mistake—the Duchess proved she’s still royalty in this division, and the Punishment/Despair civil war just got nuclear.
This wasn’t a warm-up. This was a statement.
Rating: 4/5
Match 2: Nutcracker Legion Vs Tin Man and Lion
If you came to Seattle hoping to see courage and heart triumph over iron discipline, you left disappointed—and possibly concussed.
The Nutcracker Legion came into this one like wind-up war machines, all stomp and smash, while Lion and Tin Man looked to blend brawn and soul. But in this clash of holiday horror and fairytale fire, only one side marched out to the beat of victory.
Match Recap:
The bell rang, and within sixty seconds we had a dogfight. Nutcracker #1 opened up with a Bulldog, followed by Nutcracker #2 hammering in the aptly named 21 Gun Salute. Lion leapt off the top with a high-risk Lion’s Leap, and for a moment, the Warriors looked like they might overwhelm the regimented brutes.
Momentum shifted quickly when Lion hit a crisp Lion’s Roar and tagged in the Tin Man. What followed were three minutes of solid chain wrestling from Tin Man—including a beautifully applied STF and the crowd-popping Steely Resolve Lock (Body Scissors)—that would’ve tapped out a mortal man. But these are nutcrackers, not men.
Nutcracker #2 weathered the storm and fired back with a string of Bodyslams, leading to a tag to his brother. Then came the machine-gun offense: double-team headbutts, gut kicks, and another 21 Gun Salute that rattled Tin Man like a cheap piñata.
The Warriors mounted a comeback in the 11th minute, executing a Takeover Suplex and Courageous Claw, but Nutcracker #1 no-sold the whole sequence like a Russian bear in a Kevlar vest. By the time Lion tried to regroup, he was rendered non-factor.
In the 13th minute, a Headbutt to the Midsection from Tin Man was reversed into a Kick to the Gut by Nutcracker #1, and just like that—it was lights out. 1-2-3. Over. The Legion doesn’t waste motion, and they sure as hell don’t waste time celebrating.
Kent’s Brutally Honest Take:
Let’s get this straight: this wasn’t a bad match. It just wasn’t smart. The Warriors brought heart, hustle, and holds—but they didn’t bring strategy. Tin Man worked too long without a tag, Lion vanished after the 4th minute, and by the final stretch, they looked like a team out of steam and ideas.
The Nutcracker Legion? Efficient. Brutal. Unflinching. These guys aren’t going to win “Match of the Year” awards, but they’re going to win. Period. They beat you by repetition and pressure. They’re like a metronome of violence—and tonight, the clock ran out on the Wizard’s Warriors.
The match did its job and kept the crowd warm. But until Lion and Tin Man start wrestling like a team and not two storybook action figures, they’re going to keep getting shelved by factions with more discipline and direction.
Rating: 3/5
Match 3: Howlers Vs Jolly Elves
It was claws versus cheer, fangs versus jingles, and bell-toting joy versus lupine brutality in the night’s most chaotic, overcooked affair. The Jolly Elves brought the sugar, spice, and speed—but the Howlers, backed by the ever-intrusive Wolf Pack, snarled and brawled their way through a thirty-minute wild ride that ended with no winner and far too much holiday glitter on the canvas.
Match Recap:
Right out of the gate, this match told you what it was going to be: high-energy, high-chaos, and possibly high blood pressure for anyone trying to follow the tags. Jingle and Merry fired the first shots with Kicks in the Pants, an Elfin Driver, and even a Flying Clothesline from Jingle they call Tinsel Time. Howler #1 did his best to shake it off with Scoop Slams and Back Claws, but the Jolly Elves were working like a well-oiled holiday machine.
Momentum swung in the fifth minute when the Wolf Pack—never known for subtlety—interfered with a Gang Up on Opponent sequence that left Jingle rattled and the crowd fuming. Referee "Honest" Abe apparently left his glasses backstage again.
As the match dragged on, it became a symphony of double-team chaos: Jingle and Merry landed hits like the Elven Twist, Flying Elfin Press, and the show-stealing Jingle All The Way (Double Dropkick). The Howlers countered with Inverted Neckbreakers, Howler Drops, and more Scoop Slams than a demolition derby.
There were pin attempts aplenty—none more dramatic than Jingle’s Small Package in minute 28 and Merry’s near fall after a brutal Kick in the Pants in minute 29. The Wolf Pack kept trying to tip the scales, with a Distract Ref with Howling spot that bought Howler #1 a vicious series of power moves late in the match.
But ultimately, the match’s breakneck pace, inconsistent tagging, and chaotic structure led to a thirty-minute time limit draw. No clean finish, no satisfying climax—just two teams exhausted and the crowd unsure whether to cheer or groan.
Kent’s Brutally Honest Take:
Look, I get it—chaos is part of the charm. The Jolly Elves are crowd-pleasers, the Howlers are brawlers, and the Wolf Pack loves stirring the pot. But this was thirty minutes of glitter-fueled madness with zero structure. Tags were loose, double teams ran wild, and Honest Abe officiated like he was refereeing in Narnia.
That said, the crowd stayed hot, and both teams worked hard—I’ll give them that. Jingle and Merry may be the most over tag act in the North Pole circuit right now, and the Howlers are slowly morphing into NPCW’s version of the Road Warriors in fur.
Still, this match desperately needed a finish. Or a leash. Or a stricter ref. Something.
Verdict: Too much howling, not enough wrestling.
Rating: 3/5
Match 4: Van Helsing vs Belsnickel
Two of NPCW's most unpredictable and dangerous competitors collide in this one. Van Helsing, the relentless vampire hunter, faces the twisted, punishing force that is Belsnickel. Blood will spill, and bodies will be broken in this no-holds-barred, grudge match. Who will come out victorious: the man of holy vengeance or the terrifying holiday miscreant?
Match Recap:
From the opening bell, Van Helsing wasted no time in asserting his dominance with the Holy Crossface, locking in an early submission attempt that left Belsnickel scrambling. But Belsnickel, ever the tenacious fighter, managed to break free and respond with his brutal Knecht Kick and Coal Crusher headbutt, bringing the fight to Van Helsing.
The first several minutes were a back-and-forth between Van Helsing’s controlled aggression and Belsnickel’s wild, unrelenting offense. The two exchanged powerful strikes with Van Helsing landing several Chokeslams and Running DDTs, while Belsnickel answered with his trademark Powerslam and Hip Toss. The match’s pace was relentless, with each man pulling out their most vicious moves.
Belsnickel appeared to have gained a slight edge in the middle of the match with his Knecht Kicks and a Powerslam, but Van Helsing was the one truly dominating the pace, nailing Belsnickel with a devastating Stake to the Heart heart punch and punishing Chokeslams that had the crowd on their feet.
There were several close near-pins—especially when Van Helsing followed up his Back to the Grave Tombstone Piledriver with another Holy Crossface that nearly forced Belsnickel to submit. Belsnickel did kick out at every turn, but it became increasingly clear that Van Helsing was in control.
The final moments came down to a Back to the Grave Tombstone Piledriver delivered with bone-crushing force. Van Helsing attempted one last pin, and this time, the referee’s count was final—1...2...3—Belsnickel was pinned! Van Helsing stood tall, victorious, with his hand raised in triumph.
Kent’s Brutally Honest Take:
Let me tell you something, folks, this was a brutal match that had everything a hardcore wrestling fan could ask for. Van Helsing is a damn powerhouse in the ring, and Belsnickel—well, Belsnickel is just twisted enough to make this a real spectacle. The offense was solid, the reversals were exciting, and the execution of the finish was about as brutal as it gets.
That being said, this match had a few pacing issues. There were moments when Belsnickel’s wild antics seemed like they were just thrown in for the sake of it, and Van Helsing’s moves, while impactful, didn’t always seem to land as cleanly as they should have. But let’s not beat around the bush here—the Back to the Grave piledriver was a thing of beauty, and it’s hard to argue with a clean pinfall finish.
Verdict: It was a fun, punishing brawl, but with just a touch too much filler.
Rating: 3.5/5
Main Event: Regina, Evil Queen Vs Lady Frost, Snow Queen
In one of the coldest rivalries in NPCW, two queens of cruelty clashed in the main event — regal tyranny versus icy vengeance. Regina and Lady Frost, each flanked by their chaos-bringing enforcers, turned the squared circle into a battlefield of strategy, spite, and spectacle. Did either woman ascend to the throne... or did the kingdom collapse under its own weight?
Match Recap:
This one was personal. From the opening exchange — Regina’s Scoop Powerslam versus Lady Frost’s stinging Knife Edge Chops — the air was thick with disdain. Both women came armed not just with brutal offense but with a willingness to get their hands dirty... or rather, to let their corner henchmen do the dirty work.
Mad Hatter kicked off the outside interference game early, distracting the referee with nonsensical ranting and shoves — allowing Lady Frost to get the upper hand. But Regina wasn't about to play fair either. The Huntsman, always lurking like a wolf in the shadows, delivered Blindside Shields and Clubbing Blows behind the ref’s back with a finesse that only a trained killer could execute.
The momentum swung wildly across the 30-minute bout. Regina repeatedly landed Flying Dropkicks, Hair Mares, and her signature Diving Splash, while Frost impressed with Wheelbarrow Facebusters, Somersault Sentons, and her ever-lethal Ice Cutter — including two picture-perfect executions that nearly scored the win.
Neither woman could maintain dominance for long. Regina’s offense was savage but sometimes telegraphed. Frost’s combos hit hard but lacked killer instinct when it mattered most. Every time a potential finish was in sight, interference, fatigue, or sheer pride stalled the match. Two near pins — one from Frost in minute 28, and another broken-up sequence at minute 9 — were the closest we got to a definitive end.
Despite repeated offenses, Honest Abe apparently decided to stay “honest” by not ejecting either corner man — a questionable judgment considering the flagrant outside antics from both parties. By the time the bell rang at 30 minutes, the crowd was split: half on their feet in awe, the other half exhausted from the lack of resolution.
Kent’s Brutally Honest Take:
This was a psychological chess match, a brawl, and a theatrical soap opera all rolled into one. Did it overstay its welcome? Maybe. Did it have too many moving parts? Absolutely. But make no mistake — these two women brought presence. Regina plays villainy with surgical precision, while Lady Frost’s grace-meets-violence style continues to evolve in compelling ways.
The interference was excessive, sure, but it fit the story. Still, I don’t give out stars for booking that refuses to commit to a finish. This had the makings of a classic, but a time-limit draw in the main event without a clear victor just reeks of indecision backstage. You’re telling me nobody can get the job done in 30 minutes? Not even with weapons in their corners?
Verdict: A royal clash of two ice-hearted tyrants. Great match. Bad ending. Someone better crown a winner soon, or fans are gonna revolt.
Rating: 4/5
Overall Take
NPCW’s latest stop on the July house show circuit delivered exactly what I’ve come to expect from the merry lunatics of the North: chaotic tag wars, colorful character clashes, heavy-handed interference, and some surprising flashes of true wrestling brilliance. Spokane Showdown wasn’t perfect — but damn if it didn’t swing for the candy cane fences.
Let’s not kid ourselves: this was a night for the workhorses and the weirdos alike. The Howlers vs. Jolly Elves match was a blizzard of non-stop motion that ended in a time-limit draw but somehow never felt dull. Overbooked? Yes. But the fans ate it up like grandma’s reindeer stew. And don’t get me started on Van Helsing vs. Belsnickel — a classic power-vs-power duel that reminded everyone why Helsing might be the best pure striker on the roster.
The main event had all the star power, aura, and drama you’d want from two alpha females — Regina and Lady Frost looked like royalty and fought like rabid wolves. But once again, the finish fizzled into a time-limit draw, a trend that’s starting to feel less like storytelling and more like indecision.
Final Show Rating: 4/5
Final Kent's Judgment:
NPCW brought the heat in frozen form. Every match had purpose, most had passion, and a few had moments of true greatness. But if management keeps protecting talent with “no-finish finishes,” they’ll burn the goodwill faster than a sleigh on rocket boosters. Give us conclusions. Give us stakes. Give us winners. That’s how you build legends.
Still, this was a damn fun show. The kind of wild ride only NPCW could pull off — equal parts holiday fever dream and hard-hitting spectacle. Just... clean up the endings, or next time, I’ll bring my own damn bell and ring it myself.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE (Unfortunately, Yes... This Again)
If anyone — and I mean anyone — has information regarding the mysterious disappearance of NPCW’s so-called “emotional support penguin” Flippers, please contact NPCW officials immediately.
Whether he wandered off chasing fish sticks or finally got what was coming to him from someone tired of his waddling antics, the fact remains: the guy’s missing. So, if you’ve seen a short, flapping nuisance with a loud mouth and worse judgment, do your civic duty and report it.
Let’s get this wrapped up so we can get back to real wrestling.
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