3/13 WWE Smackdown HOLT Report: On-site observations of what happened off camera, crowd reactions, non-TV matches

Randy Orton (photo credit Wade Keller © PWTorch)

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WWE SMACKDOWN HOLT REPORT
MARCH 13, 2018
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
REPORT BY MATT LAVORE, PWTORCH VIP MEMBER (for 16 yrs)


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.


DARK MATCH

(1) Tye Dillinger & Breezango defeated Mojo Rawly & Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin. The crowd chanted “You can’t wrestle!” at Rawley who didn’t seem to enjoy being the brunt of the chant. He didn’t do much to change our minds though by working what seemed to be about a two minute headlock. The crowd loved Dillinger. They always do. Every show I go to that he opens the crowd is really into his act and ringwork. I hope WWE is taking notice and does something with him soon as all the live crowds I’ve seen him wrestle for the past year have really been behind him.

RAW TV NOTES

-During the commercial break after Rusev came out to wrestle A.J. Styles, both guys paced around the ring inside and outside eyeing each other down until the break was over.

-The dueling “A.J. Styles” against the “Rusev Day” chants may have sounded like mostly women and children cheering Styles and men cheering Rusev, but several of the “Rusev Day” chants were coming from women and children were deepening their chants to match some of the men.

-Jimmy Uso and Big E helped each other to the back after their match with the Bludgeon Brothers. The crowd was really hot hot both Big E and Jimmy Uso taking on the Bludgeon Brothers.

-After Randy Orton’s music hit and he came out, Charlotte and Asuka snuck outside the ring to the corner next to Orton and waited for the video package to start before they ran around him and made their way to the back. Charlotte and Asuka kept up kayfabe by keeping their distance from each other and even exiting through different sides of the ring when Orton came out.

-After Orton came out they faded his music and played some WWE commercials during the break. Orton stood in the ring and watched the monitor until the break was over when they cut back into his music.

-After Smackdown ended, about 50 percent of the audience left for 205 Live, much moreso than the last time I saw 205 Live back in Cincinnati in December.

-The only “This is awesome!” chant of the night was for Cedric Alexander vs. Roderick Strong. Match of the Night was definitely Alexander vs. Strong. They won over fans who weren’t even interested in the match when it started with their hard work. By the end, everyone was fully invested and cheering both guys. Great match.

POST-RAW DARK MATCH

(1) Dolph Ziggler & Baron Corbin vs. Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura. Fun match filled with lots of eye poking and posing for heat. The best moment came when Nakamura did his “Come on!” pose to Corbin and Corbin responded by leaning against the ropes and saying “Nope.” Nakamura went for it again, but Corbin didn’t give in so Nakamura turned to challenge the ref. He then got closer to Corbin and challenged him again. Corbin put out his hand to wave him off and Nakamura grabbed his hand and snapped his fingers. Nakamura showed a lot of personality and Orton seemed really engaged overall. Orton & Nakamura won when Orton RKO’d Ziggler and Nakamura kinshasad Corbin for the pin.

OTHER NOTES

-The only merchandise being sold for anyone on Raw was for Roman Reigns, The Shield, and (free agent) John Cena. They also had a special “Indy 3:16” shirt with the old school Stone Cold skull logo on the back for $20. I bought it. It’s awesome.

-Most merchandise worn by fans tonight for any wrestler by fans was by far Styles stuff. Both adults and kids sported tons of Styles gear all over the area. Second would be Cena and third either Rusev or Orton.

Pops of the Night
1. AJ Styles
2. Randy Orton
3. Shinsuke Nakamura

Most Heat
1. Jinder Mahal
2. Mojo Rawley (Not in a good way)
3. Kevin Owens

Really fun show. Indy is a really great city to see WWE in as they’re always a really engaged crowd. Much more passionate than the Columbus audience was two nights ago when I was there for Fastlane. Lots of independent wrestling promotions run shows here in Indy that I imagine keeps the audiences alive and hungry for wrestling. Fun night as it always seems to be for seeing WWE events in Indy.


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 THIS RECENT REPORT: 3/9 WWE in Minneapolis: Miz says Lesnar won’t make it to WrestleMania, ref calls off match after a few moves without explanation, plus Seth & Reigns vs. The Bar

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