So, this just gets weirder. I started trying the latest version available (mb3-setup-consumer-3.1.2.1733-1.0.122-1.0.1976.exe), and over the past half hour and a dozen reboots, was only able to get the PC to freeze once, so it appears to be more random now. Mind you, absolutely nothing has been installed since my issues started. For clarity's sake, here's the process I've been following:
Uninstall Malwarebytes 3.0.6.1469-10103
Reboot
Install Malwarebytes 3.1.2.1733-1.0.122-1.0.1976
Reboot
Right-click on tray icon and click on 'Quit Malwarebytes' or any of the protection modules (to disable them individually)
Alternatively, I can open the Malwarebytes GUI and disable the protection modules from within with the same result
PC freezes right here, forcing me to do a hard reset
Attached is a zip file after that Event Viewer option was enabled, taken after the forced reboot caused by the freeze.
mb-check-results.zip