New to Wrestling Podcast
Lifelong wrestling fan takes his best friend through, the joys, the action, and all the drama that is professional wrestling! Starting with The Attitude Era and Beyond!
Stone Cold Battles Kane & Mankind & D’Lo Brown Wins Gold | WWE Raw Is War 7/20/98
We’re six days away from Fully Loaded 1998, which means Raw should be firing on all cylinders. Instead, the July 20, 1998 go-home show earns a generous five out of ten and has us considering another emergency trip to the Temple.
Vince McMahon opens the night with a presentation on reflection, respect and retribution before ordering The Undertaker to face Kane and Mankind. The Undertaker responds by leaving the building, so naturally Stone Cold Steve Austin inherits the handicap match—and proves once again that he may be the most effective employee in the entire company.
Highlights incl...
We Are So Back, Baby | Are The Undertaker and Kane in Cahoots? | WWE Raw Is War 7/13/98
We’re back from summer vacation and returning to the Attitude Era with the July 13, 1998 edition of Raw Is War—and honestly, New Jersey welcomed us home with absolute chaos.
Shawn Michaels returns with a Lord Farquaad haircut and a seat at the commentary table, Kane and Mankind capture the Tag Team Championships, and The Rock’s star power becomes impossible to ignore. Meanwhile, Brawl for All continues to make us ask why there’s so little wrestling on our wrestling show.
But the question of the evening is simple: Are The Undertaker and Kane in cahoo...
Dr. Sleep Anthony Gangone on Horror, Reinvention, Making Wrestling Uncomfortable & the Austin Aries Dream Match
Viewer discretion is advised—because this week, Dr. Sleep is in the building.
We’re joined by Anthony Gangone, one of the most versatile and compelling performers on the independent wrestling scene. Whether you know him from House of Glory, CZW, The Mecca, Respect Wrestling, his no ropes matches, his championship runs, or his current evolution as Dr. Sleep, Anthony has built a career on refusing to be put in one box.
In this conversation, Anthony talks about staying connected to wrestling from childhood, building a career through persistence, and...
New to The Temple: Lucha Underground Has Kelsey Hooked After One Episode
Viewer discretion is advised—Kelsey has officially entered the Temple.
This week, we’re taking a brief detour from the chaos of 1998 and beginning a brand-new journey through Lucha Underground, a wrestling show that combines lucha libre, mythology, cinematic storytelling, unforgettable characters, and enough drama to make Kelsey feel immediately at home.
From the opening scene, it is clear that this is not a traditional wrestling show. We are introduced to shadowy figures, ancient warriors, underground fight-club energy, and Dario Cueto—a promoter who promises opportunity, money, and glory while somehow looking less trustw...
How Nick Pearl Turned His Passion Into Rambling Bout Wrestling
This week, we're joined by one of our favorite voices in wrestling media: Nick Pearl of Rambling Bout Wrestling. What started as a love for WWE, backyard wrestling, and video editing has grown into one of the most passionate independent wrestling platforms around.
Nick shares the story behind Rambling Bout Wrestling, how he built a community of wrestling fans around his content, the lessons he's learned interviewing wrestlers, attending countless indie shows, and why authenticity has been the key to his success. We also dive into House of Glory, AEW, WWE, dream matches, wrestling fandom...
Kylon King on Miracle Generation, Wrestling Open & Chasing the Dream | INTERVIEW
Happy Birthday to Kylon King! 🎉
This week on New to Wrestling, we're joined by one of the most exciting performers on the independent wrestling scene today: Kylon King—one half of Miracle Generation alongside Dustin "Flash" Waller, former IWTV Tag Team Champions, current PWJ Tag Team Champions, Wrestling Open mainstay, and one of the most dynamic high-flyers you'll find anywhere.
Kylon joins us to talk about:
🔥 How wrestling became a family affair and ultimately changed his life
🔥 Finding his path after college and falling in love with wrestlin...
Why This Mask vs Mask Match Made Us Emotional | El Grande Americano vs El Grande Americano
Sometimes wrestling reminds you exactly why you fell in love with it.
This week, we're taking a detour from our Attitude Era journey to talk about one of the most unique and emotional matches we've seen in a long time: El Grande Americano vs El Grande Americano in a Mask vs Mask Match.
On paper, none of this should work.
A stolen identity. Two wrestlers playing the same character. A feud split between two countries. A crowd that sees one man as a hero and the other as an imposter.
<...Undertaker Played EVERYONE (We Did NOT See That Ending Coming) | Raw Is War 7.6.1998
This episode put us THROUGH it.
Between technical disasters, cursed Brawl for All chaos, Vince McMahon being insufferable, and at least three moments that made us question reality… this Raw was a ride.
This week:
💥 Undertaker demands a title shot immediately
💥 Stone Cold remains the king of choosing violence
💥 Ken Shamrock screams from the depths of his soul
💥 Terry Funk continues to treat his body like it owes him money
💥 Edge keeps lurking like a strange little gargoyle
💥 Vince creates chaos because apparently that’s his love language
And then…
TH...
Stone Cold Wanted His Revenge IMMEDIATELY | Raw Is War Fallout After King of the Ring 1998
How do you follow King of the Ring 1998?
Apparently… with absolute chaos.
This week, we’re diving into the fallout episode of Raw Is War after one of the most infamous nights in wrestling history—and somehow, the energy is immediately unhinged.
Stone Cold Steve Austin is NOT interested in letting Kane enjoy his new championship moment for even a full business day and demands his rematch immediately.
Honestly? Respect.
Elsewhere:
🔥 Vince McMahon throws himself a full championship coronation party
🔥 Kane’s “I’m better than my bro...
King of the Ring 1998 Review | Undertaker vs Mankind Hell in a Cell & Kane Wins the Title
Viewer discretion is advised… seriously.
This week, we finally made it to King of the Ring 1998 — and somehow, it still exceeded the hype.
From top to bottom, this might be the most chaotic, intense, and unforgettable pay-per-view we’ve watched yet.
We get:
A surprisingly strong King of the Ring tournament (with a HUGE final payoff) The Rock and Ken Shamrock leveling up in real time Peak Attitude Era chaos across the entire card And a main event that completely changes everythingBut let’s be real… This episode is defined by on...
From Ringside to Real Talk: Crit on Bray Wyatt Legacy, WWE Frustrations & Why the Indies Aren’t Dead
What happens when you put one of the most outspoken voices in indie wrestling in the same room as New to Wrestling?
You get honest takes, deep dives, and zero filter.
In this episode, we sit down with Crit (Ringside Chat)—a true boots-on-the-ground voice in the wrestling world—to talk about everything from the state of independent wrestling to the frustrations with WWE’s current direction, and why storytelling still matters more than ever.
We get into:
Raw Is War June 22, 1998 Review | Kane Covers Stone Cold in Blood Before King of the Ring
Viewer discretion is advised — because this Raw is WAR.
This week, we’re breaking down the June 22, 1998 episode of Raw Is War, the final stop before King of the Ring… and somehow, things get even more unhinged.
This is a full-on go-home show — and it delivers:
Vince McMahon introduces a First Blood Match between Kane and Stone Cold (because why not stack the odds even more?)Undertaker takes things way too far… tracking Paul Bearer down at home and absolutely destroying himKane promises to set himself on fire if he loses (???)Mankind is out here...Raw Is War June 15, 1998 Review | Undertaker Destroys Paul Bearer & Hell in a Cell Chaos
Viewer discretion is advised — because this Raw is WAR.
This week, we’re breaking down the June 15, 1998 episode of Raw Is War, and things officially spiral as we barrel toward King of the Ring.
From the jump, the chaos is undeniable:
Vince McMahon continues his all-time gaslighting runUndertaker refuses to be manipulated… and makes someone pay for itKane and Mankind stack chaos on top of chaos (and somehow become #1 contenders again)DX and The Nation push their rivalry deeper into full-blown gang warfareAnd the night ends with Stone Cold and Kane fighting on top of the...Raw Is War June 8, 1998 | Kane Buries Stone Cold & Vince’s Fake Award Backfires
This week, we’re breaking down the June 8, 1998 episode of Raw Is War… and somehow things get even more chaotic on the road to King of the Ring.
Vince McMahon kicks things off by presenting himself as Humanitarian of the Year (??), which immediately tells you everything you need to know about how this episode is going to go.
Meanwhile:
DX is unleashed on New York City… and yes, it’s exactly what you think it is The King of the Ring qualifiers are in full swing Undertaker spends the entire night hunting Vince like a horror movie...Raw Is War June 1, 1998 Review | Kane Becomes #1 Contender & Undertaker Explodes
Viewer discretion is advised — because this Raw is WAR.
We’re breaking down the June 1, 1998 episode of Raw Is War, coming off the chaos of Over the Edge — and somehow it gets even messier.
Vince McMahon opens the show as an unreliable narrator (because of course he does), verbally dismantles Mick Foley in one of the most brutal dressing-downs we’ve seen, and then immediately starts manipulating the board behind the scenes.
Meanwhile:
Undertaker shows up in sweats and sunglasses and chooses violence.Kane earns a #1 Contender’s match… by defeating hi...Over the Edge 1998 Review | Stone Cold vs Dude Love Falls Count Anywhere
Viewer discretion is advised… and honestly, so is emotional preparedness.
This week on the New to Wrestling Podcast, we dive into Over the Edge 1998 — and this one might be a top-to-bottom heater.
From LOD 2000 vs. DOA chaos…
to Kai En Tai delivering one of the most underrated handicap matches we’ve seen…
to Sable getting absolutely done dirty in a “custody battle”…
to Kane vs. Vader in a mask vs. mask showdown…
And that’s before we even get to the main event.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. D...
Vince McMahon Gets Arrested?! | Raw Is War May 25, 1998 Review (Go-Home to Over the Edge)
Viewer discretion is advised… and so is Vince McMahon’s judgment.
This week on New to Wrestling, we break down the May 25, 1998 episode of Raw Is War — the chaotic go-home show before Over the Edge — and things spiral immediately.
Vince McMahon opens the show bragging about assaulting Stone Cold Steve Austin… and accidentally confesses in front of “police.” What follows? An arrest. Beer. Handcuffs. Public humiliation. And that’s just the first segment.
We dive into:
Stone Cold forcing Vince to apologize — twiceThe Undertaker choke-slamming the boss without warningKane and Undertaker’s explo...THANK YOU!!! Coat Drive Success & Upcoming Shows Shows
Viewer discretion is advised… but this one comes straight from the heart.
In this special mini-episode of New to Wrestling, Xavier and Kelsey hit pause on the usual chaos to say one very important thing: Thank You.
What started as a hopeful coat drive turned into something way bigger than either of us imagined. From coats and boots to handmade scarves and crocheted blankets, the outpouring of generosity from our wrestling community absolutely blew us away. Multiple carloads later, donations were delivered to Toni’s Kitchen, where the need was immediate and...
Joey Conway on Being "The Cause of It All" | Indie Wrestling, Heels, and Staying a Fan
In this episode of New to Wrestling, we sit down with independent wrestling standout Joey Conway — “The Cause of It All.”
What starts as a conversation about presence and first impressions quickly becomes a deep dive into what it actually means to love wrestling while living inside it. Joey opens up about staying a fan in a business that can burn people out, why being a great heel is really about making everyone else better, and how character, intention, and detail matter just as much as moves.
We talk about his journey through the indie scene...
Raw Is War May 18, 1998 | Stone Cold vs The Stooges, Kane's DNA Reveal, & The Road to Over the Edge
This week on New to Wrestling, we dive headfirst into the May 18, 1998 edition of Raw Is War — an episode that somehow manages to be chaotic, hilarious, deeply cursed, and strangely heartfelt all at once.
Vince McMahon stacks the deck against Stone Cold Steve Austin yet again, the Stooges clock in for overtime nonsense, and Dude Love continues his deeply confusing villain era complete with gratitude speeches and… strong yet sensitive hands. We get the official (and highly suspicious) DNA reveal involving Kane and Paul Bearer, Val Venis makes his long-awaited debut, and DX and...
Reading the Ring: Becky Lynch’s Early Years and the Making of The Man
Welcome back to Reading the Ring, the New to Wrestling book club where wrestling is real and books are too.
This episode kicks off our three-week journey through Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Girl by Rebecca Quin, focusing on Season One: The Growing Years. From Becky’s childhood in Ireland to discovering wrestling during the Attitude Era, we unpack how belief, rebellion, and stubborn determination shaped the foundation of The Man long before the spotlight ever found her.
We talk early influences like Mick Foley, training without a...
Inside Ringville - Kevin Herrera Sanchez | Indie Wrestling, Interviews & Building Community
On this episode of New to Wrestling: After Dark, we’re joined by someone we’ve admired for a long time — Kevin Herrera Sanchez, the creator and host behind Ringville.
Kevin flips the script and joins us on the other side of the interview for a wide-ranging, thoughtful, and genuinely joyful conversation about wrestling, creativity, and building something meaningful from the ground up.
We talk about Kevin’s journey into wrestling fandom, how independent wrestling reignited his love for the art form, and why he chose to focus on interv...
DX vs The Nation, Sable Snaps & Vince Crosses the Line | Raw Is War 5/11/98
This week on New to Wrestling, we dive headfirst into the May 11, 1998 edition of Raw Is War — an episode that feels like the entire WWF hit the gas at once and refused to slow down.
With Over the Edge looming, nearly every major storyline collides in one chaotic night: Vince McMahon stacks the deck against Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dude Love spirals deeper into an identity crisis, DX continues their unhinged cross-company invasion tour, and the Nation of Domination officially collides with DX in a faction war that’s been building for weeks.
Monday Nitro May 11, 1998 | nWo Wolfpac, Goldberg’s Streak & WCW Chaos
This week on New to Wrestling, we take a surprise detour — and somehow end up deep in the wild, confusing, and endlessly fascinating world of WCW Monday Nitro.
Thanks to technical issues (a recurring character on this show), we pivot from our usual Raw coverage and drop into the May 11, 1998 edition of Nitro — a three-hour episode that immediately makes Kelsey feel like a brand-new wrestling fan all over again.
What follows is a whirlwind tour of everything WCW did right… and very wrong.
We break down:
The split of the...Raw Is War May 4, 1998 | Mick Foley vs Terry Funk, DX Chaos & Cena’s Last Match Debate
New to Wrestling Podcast: Raw Is War — May 4, 1998 | Community, Chaos, and the Cost of Wrestling
Before we even hit the opening bell, this week’s episode of New to Wrestling reminds us why wrestling is more than just what happens in the ring.
We kick things off with a community-first announcement: a coat drive in partnership with Respect Wrestling, collecting winter coats, blankets, and accessories for Tony’s Kitchen in Montclair. Wrestling has always been about community, and this is our small way of giving back — with a little...
Raw Is War — April 27, 1998 | DX vs. WCW, Owen’s Turn, Sable’s Power Play & Austin vs. McMahon Chaos
The Attitude Era didn’t just go off the rails this week — it begged Vince McMahon to hold its beer while it jumped the guardrail and stole a tank.
We’re back from our accidental holiday-season hiatus (small business girlies, we survive by vibes alone), and diving straight into the chaos that was Raw Is War: April 27, 1998 — an episode packed with invasions, betrayals, unhinged promos, and one of the funniest JR commentary nights in wrestling history.
Inside this wonderfully deranged time capsule, we break down:
DX rolling up to WCW’s front door...Reading the Ring: Do A Powerbomb! Review & Breakdown
Reading the Ring: Do A Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson
In this episode of Reading the Ring, Xavier dives into the explosive, emotional, and wildly imaginative graphic novel Do A Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson — a love letter to pro wrestling disguised as a cosmic deathmatch.
After a brief hiatus (shoutout to small business season), we’re back with a story that blends the heart of wrestling with the drama of mythic storytelling. Xavier breaks down the characters, themes, artistry, and pure wrestling nerdery woven through the book...
Unforgiven 1998 | Undertaker vs Kane, Dude Love, and Sable’s Moment
The Attitude Era officially sets itself on fire — literally.
This week, Xavier and Kelsey dive into WWF Unforgiven 1998, a pay-per-view packed with absurdity, infernos, and enough double-crossing to make Vince McMahon blush (which he does, from a stretcher).
From The Undertaker and Kane’s inferno match — a legit cinematic masterpiece — to Sable vs. Luna redefining the term “evening gown match,” this one’s got everything: cult energy from Dude Love, creepy energy from Jerry Lawler, and chaotic energy from everyone else.
💀 Matches that had us howling
🔥 Kane literally on fir...
Building Respect: Ray Sanchez on Indie Wrestling’s Heart and the Road to No Escape
In this special New to Wrestling episode, we sit down with Ray Sanchez — the mind behind Respect the Craft Podcast and Respect Wrestling — to talk about storytelling, community, and chaos in the world of indie wrestling.
From his early years working alongside names like Homicide, Low Ki, and The Hit Squad to his vision for Respect Wrestling: No Escape (Nov 14 at The Mecca, Ridgefield Park, NJ), Ray breaks down what it really takes to build a brand, a locker room, and a legacy that earns its name.
The Go-Home to Unforgiven 1998: Undertaker vs. Kane, Dude Love’s Turn & Stone Cold’s War
Viewer discretion was definitely advised. The Attitude Era officially went off the rails this week, and Kelsey and Xavier are here for every unhinged minute of it.
From Dude Love’s lava-lamp-lit “Love Shack” to the literal exhumation of the Undertaker’s parents, this go-home episode to Unforgiven ’98 might be one of the wildest yet. DX is flashing water guns and questionable ideas, Vince McMahon is menacing interns with coffee, and the Undertaker is fighting his brother over flaming caskets in front of live TV cameras.
Also on tap:
🩸 Dude Love vs. Steve Bla...Vince vs. Austin: The First Slap Heard ‘Round the Attitude Era” | Raw Is War – April 13, 1998
The chaos of the Attitude Era is officially off its leash.
This week, New to Wrestling dives into the April 13, 1998 episode of Raw Is War — the night Vince McMahon stepped into the ring with Stone Cold Steve Austin and changed wrestling forever.
From corporate madness and beer-fueled rebellion to Dude Love’s confusing heel turn, this episode has it all:
🥊 Vince McMahon vs. Steve Austin — the boss finally takes a slap from his champion.🔥 Undertaker vs. Kane build-up reaches a fiery new level (literally).💀 Dude Love return...Inside Nevermore: Raven & Geordie Day on Wrestling’s Darkest Mind
This week, we sit down with wrestling legend Raven and filmmaker Geordie Day, director of the new documentary Nevermore: The Raven Effect.
It’s part wrestling psychology deep dive, part emotional reckoning — a candid conversation about the blurred line between character and self, the chaos of ECW, and what it means to wrestle with your own legacy. Raven opens up about therapy, mental health, and how he turned personal pain into one of wrestling’s most complex characters.
Geordie Day shares what it was like to document that process, from uncovering rare f...
Steve Austin in a Suit; DX Goes Full Savage & Kane Torches The Family Gravesite
This week on New to Wrestling, we dive into the Raw is War episode from April 6, 1998 — the night the Attitude Era officially kicked into high gear. From Vince McMahon trying to force Stone Cold into a corporate stooge suit, to Cactus Jack’s heartbreaking “last words,” to DX wreaking havoc backstage (and yes, urinating on motorcycles), this episode had it all.
We break down the chaos:
Vince vs. Austin: the suit, the nut shot, and the new merch drop 💥Cactus Jack’s heel-turn vibes and emotional mic work 🎤DX’s first wild night as a full squadThe Rock flex...The Raw After WrestleMania 14: Austin Arrested, DX Rebuilt, and Kane Brings the Fire
The night after WrestleMania XIV was pure chaos and we were here for every second. From Vince McMahon trying (and failing) to play nice with Stone Cold, to Austin getting arrested less than 24 hours into his title reign, to the Nation of Domination finally cracking open, this Raw was stacked.
DX rebuilt itself in one night with Triple H stepping up, X-Pac making his jaw-dropping return, and the New Age Outlaws officially joining the crew. Meanwhile, Paul Bearer decided his nightmares were booking plans and challenged Undertaker to an Inferno Match at Unforgiven.
...
WrestleMania XIV: The Austin Era Begins!
The road has finally led us here: WrestleMania XIV. After months of buildup, fire, betrayal, and drama, it all explodes on one of the most pivotal nights in wrestling history.
From the wild chaos of a 15-team battle royal to Sable absolutely owning her in-ring debut, this card is stacked with moments that defined the Attitude Era. We break down it all: the return of Legion of Doom (with Sunny serving boots and flames), Taka Michinoku and Aguila flying like human snap bracelets, and Ken Shamrock’s full-on meltdown after his IC Title ma...
Sable Ambushed, DX Unhinged, & Kane Sets a Man on Fire | RAW 3/23/98
We hit Raw Is War — March 23, 1998, the go-home to WrestleMania XIV, and it’s chaos in the best Attitude Era way.
Austin opens by stunning Sgt. Slaughter for fun, and later beats The Rock clean in a preview of a rivalry that’ll run our lives for years.Dumpster Match drama: Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie vs. the Quebecers gets nuked by the New Age Outlaws (plus…the world’s tiniest dinner table and questionable blow-up décor).Double J on a horse (yes, still), Steve Blackman le...HBK’s Final WrestleMania Build… and Undertaker vs. Kane Heats Up
On this week’s New to Wrestling, Kelsey and Xavier break down the March 17, 1998 edition of Raw is War — a go-home show so unhinged, it felt like Vince Russo scribbled it on a napkin five minutes before airtime.
We’re talking:
Ken Shamrock inventing “ShamWow Mode” by snapping into a rage spiral, destroying everything in his path, and still eating a chair shot like it was breakfast.Mr. McMahon’s origin story: Vince steps fully into his villain era with a simple “Oh, hell no,” and wrestling would never be the same.HBK’s WrestleM...The Thicky Time Bomb: Brian Bomb on Wrestling, Resilience, and Being Real
The Thicky Time Bomb has landed on New to Wrestling! 💥
This week, indie star Brian Bomb joins us to talk about his Sable-inspired wrestling origin story (yes, it all started with a Toys “R” Us trip), the whip, the Bomb, and how he crafted a style that blends flamboyance with brute strength. From training at the Fallout Shelter to creating safe spaces like Fight for the Pride, Brian opens up about community, identity, and the reality of being an openly gay wrestler in today’s indie scene.
We also dive into the highs and lows—...
The Voice of Indie Wrestling: Cheyenne Ortiz on Wrestling's Past, Present, and His In-Ring Future
Cheyenne Ortiz — better known across the indies as “The Voice” — joins us for a conversation that’s equal parts storytelling, wrestling nerd-out, and wing recommendations.
Cheyenne pulls back the curtain on his 11-year journey in wrestling: from middle school morning announcements to becoming the trusted voice of ACE, BCW, ECWA, and beyond. We dive into the grind of commentary, the art of making wrestlers (not yourself) shine, and what it’s really like to prep for calling a match when you might not know a single move name going in.
We talk about:
How commentary i...Post-Game Chaos: Tag Team Truth Bombs with "Miami" Mike Walker & Vinny Talotta
In this New to Wrestling: After Dark episode, hosts Kelsey Silva and Xavier sit down with indie tag team standouts "Miami" Mike Walker and Vinny Talotta, better known as The Post Game, for a conversation that’s part locker room banter, part wrestling masterclass.
Mike and Vinny open up about their wrestling origins, training experiences, and the grind of building a name across different territories. They share how their tag team chemistry clicks, their favorite matches, and the challenges — and payoffs — of carving out a reputation in the independent scene.
We a...
