NWA 'Brings the Energy' to Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival
“The Thrillbilly” Silas Mason defeated NWA World Television Champion Carson Bartholomew Drake in a bloody non-title battle on Day 1 of the Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival.
Photo: Paul E. Pratt
Fans in California’s capital were treated to the National Wrestling Alliance’s trademark hard-hitting professional wrestling action April 12-13.
The champions and stars of the National Wrestling Alliance competed Saturday and Sunday at the Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival. NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Thom Latimer, successfully defending NWA’s coveted “Ten Pounds of Gold” in back-to-back defenses, was a headlining attraction.
“The response to the National Wrestling Alliance at the 2025 Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival was nothing short of electric!” says Festival Producer Jessica Palmer.
“From the start, our focus was on creating a high-energy, immersive experience — something attendees would truly feel, not just observe,” Palmer states. “That meant enlisting top-tier talent that could instantly connect with the crowd and ignite memorable, high-impact moments — and it paid off with the National Wrestling Alliance.”
The Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival gathered top local restaurateurs, craft breweries, and vineyards in Southside Park, just outside California’s sixth most-populated city. The event drew nearly 4,000 guests, offering two days of gourmet culinary delights, premium spirits, community, and live entertainment.
Natalia Markova faced Pretty Empowered members Kylie Paige and NWA Women’s World Champion Kenzie Paige in a triple-threat non-title match, Markova, the National Wrestling Alliance’s most popular social media star, picked up a huge win.
Photo: VectorShot Photo
National Wrestling Alliance action capped both afternoons. Palmer says Festival-goers were both surprised and enthralled.
“That initial roar drew attendees from every corner of the park — people rushed toward the ring, eager to see what was happening,” Palmer described the wrestling events.
“At one point, nearly everyone was on their feet, cheering and fully immersed in the action,” she recalls. “It was pure festival magic, capturing the spirit of the event and lighting up the whole weekend.”
On Saturday, Sacramento’s own Kratos challenged for the title. A former NWA United States and World Tag Team champion, “The Most Feared” Kratos presented a colossal obstacle for Latimer.
Evenly matched in the power department, the competitors brutalized each other in a highly physical confrontation. Numerous near-falls led many to believe the championship might change hands for the first time ever in Sacramento. Ultimately, though, Latimer rolled Kratos up to retain.
EC3 faced NWA National Champion “Big Strong” Mims on the first day of the Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival.
Photo: VectorShot Photo
The following day, Carson Bartholomew Drake faced former World’s Champ EC3, with the winner getting a World’s title shot later in the event. The impromptu match saw EC3 lay down for Drake, allowing the reigning World Television Champion to face Latimer.
A conspiracy between the men was confirmed when Latimer finally squared off against Drake, who introduced EC3 as his “special enforcer” for the match.
Though at an obvious two-on-one disadvantage throughout, Latimer overcame the odds to walk out as champion.
NWA Women’s World Champion Kenzie Paige was also in action. Natalia Markova notched a huge victory over both members of Pretty Empowered, pinning Kenzie’s sister Kylie Paige in a non-title triple threat. The Paige sisters gained revenge the next day, though, defeating Markova and partner Bryan Idol, known as The Looks That Kill, in tag action.
Additionally, the weekend saw The Country Gentlemen — AJ and KC Cazana — retain the NWA United States Tag Titles. NWA National Heavyweight Champion “Big Strong” Mims also logged successful defenses each day, including a signature pinfall on EC3 during Saturday’s outing.
“NWA brings the energy!” an enthusiastic Palmer confirms.
“The wrestling provided a powerful surge of excitement,” she notes, “and it’s hard to imagine the Festival without it.”
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