Pro wrestling returning to Kellogg Arena for 'Halloween Mayhem'

Pro wrestling fans will have an opportunity to get up close to past and present stars of the ring at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena.

"Battle in the Creek 2: Halloween Mayhem" will be a fan fest, pro wrestling live show and a trick-or-treat spectacular for all ages when it comes to the arena on Oct. 29. According to Gary Edwards, a Battle Creek business owner who is promoting the event through his company, Team Blue Bands, the caliber of pro wrestling talent is not something the city has seen in some time.

"Battle Creek doesn't realize what kind of a treat they are in for as far as wrestling goes," Edwards said. "We want Battle Creek to come out and support it because we want to turn it into something we can count on where it evolves and becomes more of a fan fest, Comic Con-like event, bringing in more retired wrestlers and people of fame, giving fans an opportunity to meet the people they've watched."

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Presented by Goodrich-based Pure Pro Wrestling, the inaugural "Battle In the Creek" was hosted by American Legion Post 257 in 2021, drawing about 600 spectators. This year, organizers are hoping to bring in a crowd of 3,500.

In the 1980s, Kellogg Arena hosted at least five house shows of the WWE (then Word Wrestling Federation). The venue last held a major pro wrestling event when it hosted an Impact Wrestling (then TNA) house show in 2014.

WWE Hall of Famer and Detroit native Kevin Nash is scheduled to make an appearance, and will do an exclusive meet-and-greet for 100 fans who pay $75 on top of general admission, which is $20 per person in advance and $25 the day of the event. The 6-foot-10 Nash has a number of major motion picture credits on his resume, including "The Longest Yard," "Magic Mike," "Magic Mike XXL," "John Wick," and "Dog."

Card highlights include a championship crossover match between burgeoning heavyweight stars Alexander Hammerstone of Major League Wrestling and Josh Alexander of Impact Wrestling; the final Michigan bout for WWE Hall of Fame tag team The Rock 'n' Roll Express before retirement; and an "extreme rules match" featuring Impact wrestling star and WWE alumni Tommy Dreamer.

Battle Creek band Barefoot Blonde is set to perform during a 5-8 p.m. fan fest. As part of the "Halloween Mayhem," 100,000 pieces of candy will be distributed during intermission to children, who are encouraged to dress up in costumes. There will also be appearances by cosplay superheroes such as Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Superman and Thor through the nonprofit League of Enchantment.

For more information, visit battleinthecreek.com, call 269-419-9359; or visit kelloggarena.com

Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley

IF YOU GO

Battle In the Creek 2: Halloween Mayhem

∙ When: Saturday, Oct. 29

∙ Where: Kellogg Arena, 1 McCamly Sq, Battle Creek

∙ Admission: $20-25 general admission; $40-$60 ringside; $75 exclusive meet-and-greet with Kevin Nash

∙ Info: battleinthecreek.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Pro wrestling returns to Kellogg Arena for 'Battle in the Creek 2: Halloween Mayhem'