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:

• Why the indies aren’t dying—they’re evolving
• The real impact of social media and virality on wrestling careers
• WWE’s biggest issues right now—from booking to pricing to priorities
• The importance of characters, creativity, and connection in wrestling
• And a powerful reflection on Bray Wyatt’s legacy and why he still resonates

Plus, Crit brings the energy with bold opinions, wild fantasy booking, and a perspective that comes from actually being ringside, watching it all unfold in real time

This one is for:

• The fans who care about the why behind wrestling
• The ones frustrated with where things are
• And anyone trying to understand where wrestling is going next

🎙 Whether you’re new to wrestling or a lifelong fan—this is the kind of conversation that makes you see it differently.

The New To Wrestling Podcast follows two friends who enjoy wrestling but are in different stages of their fandom. Xavier Cruz serves as your guide through generations of professional wrestling while Kelsey Silva experiences these matches for the first time. Climb into the ring weekly to relive the famous matches beginning with the Attitude Era!

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 him
• Kane promises to set himself on fire if he loses (???)
• Mankind is out here cutting Civil War promos inside Hell in a Cell
• DX vs Nation continues to escalate into full chaos
• And Edge officially debuts… in the most chaotic way possible

But the moment that defines the episode?

Stone Cold accepts Kane’s challenge…
Kane raises his arms…

…and absolutely drenches Austin in blood.

No warning. No build. Just pure Attitude Era insanity.

This is how you sell a pay-per-view.

🍼 Diaper Drive Reminder:

We’re also currently running a diaper, formula, and baby essentials drive through Mother’s Day 💜

We’re collecting:

• Diapers
• Formula
• Gently used baby clothes
• Feminine hygiene products

All donations will go to Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, NJ, supporting moms and families who need it most.

📍 Drop-off locations:

• DollyMoo (Montclair, NJ)
• Yoga Mechanics (Montclair, NJ)

If you’re local and able to help — it truly makes a difference.

🌐 More from New to Wrestling:

Full episodes, clips, and everything we’re building:
👉 newtowrestling.com

The New To Wrestling Podcast follows two friends who enjoy wrestling but are in different stages of their fandom. Xavier Cruz serves as your guide through generations of professional wrestling while Kelsey Silva experiences these matches for the first time. Climb into the ring weekly to relive the famous matches beginning with the Attitude Era!

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 run
• Undertaker refuses to be manipulated… and makes someone pay for it
• Kane 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 warfare
• And the night ends with Stone Cold and Kane fighting on top of the Hell in a Cell

But the real moment?

Undertaker locking himself inside the cell… with Paul Bearer.

And absolutely unleashing.

This episode is peak Attitude Era energy — messy, violent, hilarious, and somehow still moving every storyline forward at full speed. The road to King of the Ring isn’t just heating up…

It’s boiling over.

🍼 Diaper Drive Announcement:

We’re also proud to announce our next community initiative:

We’re hosting a diaper, formula, and gently used baby clothes drive now through Mother’s Day to support families in need.

All donations will go to Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children, an incredible organization providing essential resources and support for women and children in Paterson, NJ.

Drop-off location:
📍 Dolly Moo – 217 Glenridge Ave, Montclair, NJ

We’ll also be sharing additional drop-off locations soon.

The wrestling community showed up BIG for our last drive — let’s do it again.

🌐 More from New to Wrestling - For full episodes, clips, and everything we’re building: 👉 newtowrestling.com

🧘 Restorative for Wrestlers:

We’re also continuing to build out something special:

Restorative for Wrestlers — a free restorative yoga program designed specifically for wrestlers to recover, reset, and take care of their bodies.

We’re currently finalizing details (looking like Fridays 👀), and it will be completely free for wrestlers.

Because what you put your body through deserves real recovery.

The New To Wrestling Podcast follows two friends who enjoy wrestling but are in different stages of their fandom. Xavier Cruz serves as your guide through generations of professional wrestling while Kelsey Silva experiences these matches for the first time. Climb into the ring weekly to relive the famous matches beginning with the Attitude Era!