3/2 WWE in Kalamazoo, Mich.: Reigns vs. Elias headlines, plus Miztourage, Women’s Four-on-Four, Seth vs. Cesaro, Braun vs. Kane, Matt vs. Bray

WWE LIVE EVENT REPORT
MARCH 2, 2018
KALAMAZOO, MICH. AT WINGS STADIUM
REPORT BY MIKE MEYERS, PWTORCH CORRESPONDENT

Please send results of live events you attend to pwtorch@pwtorch.com. Thank you! Also, please include any photos you take of either the arena setting, entrance stage, and clear pictures of wrestlers on way to ring or inside the ring.

Available seating was 75 – 85 percent full – maybe four to five thousand.

(1)  “Woken” Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt.  Lots of Fireflies for Wyatt’s very deliberate entrance.  Wyatt used heel tactics to get an early edge, but immediately elicted a face reaction by scaling the turnbuckles and posturing for the crowd.  Hardy wins by reversing out of Sister Abigail.

(2)  Lince Dorado & Mustafa Ali defeated “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher & Ariya Daivari.  Dorado scores pinfall after nailing a reverse elbow against Daivari, patting him on the back, then executing a handspring bounce off the ropes into a modified stunner.  Great match, maximum effort, crowd was engaged in spite of the 205 Live stigma.

(3)  The Revival defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno.

(4)  Braun Strowman defeated Kane.  Big pops for both entrances.  “Get These Hands” chant resonates through arena.  Kane took a very soft bump through an upended ring steps on the ramp.  Strowman reverses chokeslam into impressive power slam for victory.

(5)  Seth Rollins defeated Cesaro (w/Sheamus).  Scattered “You Look Stupid” chants were inaccurate as Sheamus was not sporting his usual mowhawk – his hair was laid stylishly to one side.  Good response for face Rollins dealing with two heels in The Bar.  Sheamus dropped Rollins on barrier at ringside while ref was distracted.  Ref eventually caught onto the heels’ antics and went as far as to look to the crowd for confirmation of their cheating.  The crowd confirmed.  Ref ejected Sheamus from ringside in cartoonish, demonstrative fashion.  Big crowd pop.  This was a unique house show moment for the referee.  Seth won moments later by landing a Stomp against Cesaro.

INTERMISSION

(6)  Asuka & Sasha Banks & Bayley &  Mickie James defeated Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose (w/Paige) & Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss.  James was last to enter for the former team, and was met with plentiful boos.  Bayley absorbed lots of punishment and James not only refused to be tagged in, but kicked Bayley in the face before bailing from the ring apron.  Faces managed to recover; Asuka made a hot tag to a very big pop, and forced Mandy Rose into submission.

(7)  Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated The Miztourage (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel).

(8)  Roman Reigns defeated Elias.  Elias entered the ring under the cover of darkness while commercials aired on screen.  Ring announcer indicated that this was our main event.  Many boos for Elias appearing in spotlight.  Elias led the crowd in a simple catchy singalong:  Yeah yeah yeah, whoa oh oh, but followed up with lyrics about how Kalamazoo “sucks.”  Crowd back to booing.  Elias wisely let this simmer – crowd builds into a “You Suck” chant.  Twice Elias threatens to stop singing before Reigns’ music finally interrupts his antics.  Reigns’ music was noticeably louder than any of the other PA audio tonight, and it was difficult to hear the crowd’s initial reaction.  The entire floor audience was on their feet.  Slow star to match, Elias rolled out of ring away from a willing Reigns.  “Let’s Go Roman” chants emerged from crowd.  Elias kicked out of Superman Punch and briefly got the upper hand after firing Reigns through the ring steps.  Reigns won via spear to a great crowd pop, followed by more loud Reigns music.  He made the handshake-rounds at ringside, never smiling, always looking intense.  He made “hang loose” gestures, and bowed his head to the audience at the top of the ramp with praying hands.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Crowd was HOT and engaged this entire show.  The only wrestler to speak on mic was Elias, as was required by his gimmick.  Production level was very high for a smaller-venue house show – great lighting, sound, and HD video.

Please send results of live events you attend to pwtorch@pwtorch.com. Thank you! Also, please include any photos you take of either the arena setting, entrance stage, and clear pictures of wrestlers on way to ring or inside the ring.

NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS REPORT: 3/3 NXT in Royal Oak, Mich.: Gargano & LaRae vs. Almas & Vega, Velveteen vs. Aleister, Kairi vs. Baszler, plus Undisputed Era, Dakota Kai, Lars