By: ShaLinda Mitchell

Last night I went to a WWE live event. This is news because this is the first one I’ve ever been to in my wrestling obsessed 28 years on this earth. And I have to say…it was the greatest moment of my life. I can’t imagine my life without live events now. I need to attend every single one in my area for the rest of my life. But enough about that, let’s discuss the event itself:

Match 1:

Tyler Breeze vs AJ Styles

Tyler came out and I lost my mind. I couldn’t scream loud enough. Funny how much these wrestlers mean to you when you’re near them as opposed to when they’re on TV. When AJ’s music hit the place went insane. It was such a huge pop. Also, let’s take a moment to reflect on the fact that I got to watch AJ Styles wrestle live. …And there’s the moment. AJ won with the calf crusher. Such a fun match. Loved AJ mocking Tyler’s post on the top rope.

Match 2:

Sin Cara vs Stardust

The “Lucha, Lucha” part played first and I thought it was Kalisto. Then I realized it was Sin Cara and I…. was worried Kalisto wouldn’t make it. But He did so well and he was decently over with the crowd. Stardust was the man, though. Not only did he come out and completely own the crowd as they were chanting Cody at him, he had so much personality and charisma. I just wish it translated over to TV. Seriously, Stardust was amazing to see live. Good match. Sin Cara wins.

Match 3:

Baron Corbin vs Zack Ryder

Mild reaction for Corbin, which is a shame because Corbin is one of the best guys in NXT. He’s gotten so good. Baron Corbin gets nothing but love and support from me.  Conversely, no matter how you feel about Zack Ryder, when he’s wooing right there in front of you, you kind of have to do it too. Baron wins with the End of Days.

Match 4:

R-Truth vs Curtis Axel w/Adam Rose

Truth was so over with the crowd it was crazy. I even found myself screaming “What’s up?!” at him.  But, this is when I also made the decision to go to the merch table. So, I waited to see who the opponent was, when I saw it was Axel, I waited to see Adam Rose (who I LOVE) and then went and bought a shirt.

Match 4.5:

Me vs. The Merch Table

I wanted a New Day shirt but they didn’t have them! I’m assuming they didn’t have them for sale because they weren’t there. But man, did they have Cena, Reigns and Dolph Ziggler… who were also not there. Anyway, I bought a Kevin Owens shirt because…everyone should own an Owens shirt. Duh. Truth won the match I left and Goldust came out. I don’t know what happened I was still at the table. I also bought a program! Yay!

Match 5:

Kalisto (c) vs Del Rio – United States Championship

Kalisto was the one people were waiting for and the pop for him was huge. The Lucha chant was over strong. Del Rio came out to a good reaction as well, booed heavily. It was very nice. This was a great match, good classic heel moments from Del Rio. Kalisto is so fast, it’s unreal.  Kalisto won with the Salida Del Sol.

Intermission

Match 6:

Sheamus vs Mark Henry

Mark Henry spent so much time in Louisville, so long ago, that it’s no surprise that he was over with us. Louisville loves Mark Henry. And that’s cool…but I love Sheamus. I may have been the only one cheering him but at least he knew he had the support. Sheamus did a decent promo on the city and then beat Mark in a pretty slow match. The highlight of the night came when Sheamus rolled himself up the entrance ramp following his victory. Man is he fun.

Match 7:

BFFs (Summer Rae & Sasha) vs Team Bad

BFFs (aka “Sasha was always the one”) vs Team Bad. Lita is my all time favorite WWE Diva. There’s nothing I’ve wanted more in my life than to meet her at least once. Sasha Banks has now replaced that feeling in my heart. Seeing Sasha Banks live was truly an amazing experience. The love from the crowd should not go unnoticed: we popped for her song, we popped for her and then we let her and everyone in that ring that wasn’t her, that we wanted her.  Sasha is everything. Also, the match was good and Naomi’s light up kicks are incredible to see in person. I want them badly. Sasha wins via Banks Statement on Naomi.

Match 8:

The Main Event

Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens (c) – Intercontinental Championship

Let the record show, I am a big fan of Dean Ambrose and a long standing fan of Kevin Owens. No issues with these guys main eventing but I could have sworn the ads were promoting a street fight from these two and a 2 out of 3 falls from Del Rio/Kalisto but maybe I’m still coming off my WWE high.  Regardless, the match was PPV level. Owens is the one to watch, folks. There is no one who does it like Owens. From his athleticism, to his ring work, to his mic skills and charisma, talk about an A+ player.  Owens owned that ring and that crowd. Dean Ambrose had the biggest pop of the night, though. The place was deafening when his music hit. So cool to see Dean Ambrose work live, another guy that’s so good at what he does. Ambrose wins via DQ because Owens was being Owens and didn’t stop beating down past the count of five. He then cut a promo on the city, the fans, everything and announced himself as IC champ still. He continued to attack Dean during the promo. Rich. Then Ambrose hit the Dirty Deeds to send everyone home happy.

All in all for my first show, it was electrifying and it’s awakened something in me. I will NEVER EVVVEER miss the chance to see a WWE live show again. It’s an experience like no other and now I want other shows too. I want TNA, I want ROH, I want Evolve. I want it all. I want it now.