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 n...
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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 n...
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 n...
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 i...
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 ...
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 wh...
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...
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 boo...
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 Shamro...
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 levels up, and T...
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 wou...
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 a...
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 mig...
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 — a...
This week on New to Wrestling, we’re taking it back to March 9, 1998 — a night where the glow-in-the-dark sticks were out, the People’s Elbow got its official christening, and the Attitude Era served up its usual recipe of chaos, questionable fashion choices, and about three disqualifications too many. From Sable getting humiliated in heels that could outrun Jurassic Park raptors, to Farooq teaching The Rock a little Nation of Domination tough love, to Shawn Michaels swooping in for a superki...
We’re back for week 2 of There’s Just One Problem by Brian Gewirtz, and if you thought last week was chaotic… buckle up. This stretch (Chapters 5–9) covers everything from Brian taking a literal bump courtesy of Bubba Ray Dudley, to the culture shock of writing promos for The Rock and Vince McMahon at the same time. We get into the rise of SmackDown, the disaster of the original XFL (and what it was like watching that trainwreck from the inside), and a backstage power struggle with Paul Heym...
Welcome to the first-ever episode of Reading the Ring, where wrestling is real — and books are too. This week, we crack open There's Just One Problem by Brian Gewirtz, the one-time 7th most powerful person in WWE (his words, not ours). In this debut installment, Xavier takes you on a deep dive through the first four chapters, including: 🧑⚖️ A real-life “Wrestler’s Court” session — featuring Kane as bailiff, JBL as prosecutor, and the Undertaker literally judging people.🪪 How Brian got hire...
With Kelsey off the grid (and possibly packed in a moving box), Xavier holds down the ring solo to cover one of the most chaotic weekends in modern wrestling history — and he’s got thoughts. The episode dives into three major events: 🔥 WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 👑 WWE Evolution II 💥 AEW All In: Texas From Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre to Hangman Page’s blood-soaked redemption, Xavier breaks down the key matches, title shifts, and emotional gut punches across both WWE and AEW. He ...
Welcome to Reading the Ring — the official wrestling book club from the New to Wrestling Podcast! We’re kicking things off with There’s Just One Problem... by Brian Gewirtz. 📅 First breakdown drops July 21 on our YouTube channel. Let’s read like champs. #NewToWrestling #ReadingTheRing #WrestlingBookClub #BrianGewirtz #WWEStories #WrestlingPodcast #ClosetedWrestlingFan #BookTokWrestling The New To Wrestling Podcast follows two friends who enjoy wrestling but are in different stages of their...
We’re back on the road to WrestleMania 14 and the chaos is dialed all the way up. In this week’s episode, Kelsey and Xavier dig into the March 2, 1998 edition of Raw Is War—featuring Mike Tyson’s very unexpected allegiance, Paul Bearer acting like a mafia don, and a casket that gets struck by lightning because sure, why not. We also get way too much Jeff Jarrett, just the right amount of Chainsaw Charlie chainsawing a car, and the return of the Undertaker in one of the most dramatic, supernat...
He flips. He flies. He bleeds (occasionally on purpose). This week on New to Wrestling: After Dark, we’re joined by high-flying indie standout and deathmatch up-and-comer Christian Starr, a.k.a. The Starchild. We get into: How GCW reignited his love for wrestlingTraining in Canada and prepping for JapanHis first-ever deathmatch (featuring barbed wire, thumbtacks, and a dart gun 💀)Why he writes out match spots like homeworkThe beautiful chaos of planning a match when your opponent shows up 5 m...
This week on After Dark, we’re joined by indie wrestling standout and certified harvester of sorrows, Sammi Chaos—our first-ever female guest and instant icon. From the Mecca to the middle of a triple threat she wasn’t even booked for (until 10 minutes before bell time), Sammi brings the chaos, heart, and eyeliner. We talk about growing up an Attitude Era kid, falling into wrestling after a very honest drunk epiphany, and balancing a 9-to-5 with throwing bodies on weekends. She shares how she...
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 n...
