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 cahoots? Stone Cold Steve Austin would also like an answer, especially before he has to team with The Undertaker at Fully Loaded.

Highlights include:

• Shawn Michaels returning to Raw—and immediately doing entirely too much on commentary
• Kane and Mankind becoming the new Tag Team Champions
• Stone Cold investigating some deeply suspicious brother behavior
• The Rock, Owen Hart, Triple H and X-Pac continuing the DX–Nation war
• X-Pac debuting the X-Factor
• Sable and Jacqueline serving looks, tension and an incoming bikini contest
• Val Venis debuting his latest “film” on the TitanTron, because apparently that was allowed
• Two rounds of Brawl for All reminding everyone why they came to see wrestling
• A chaotic main event featuring approximately the entire roster
• The word “cahoots” being used more times than any serious situation should permit

Cahoots: it’s the word of the week. Use it in a sentence.

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 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 why the current Dr. Sleep version of himself feels like the most complete version yet. We get into his horror influences, the psychology behind making an audience uncomfortable, the mandible claw, submissions, brawling, and why sometimes putting someone to sleep can be a peaceful experience. Naturally, Kelsey handles this information in the most Kelsey way possible.

We also talk about Anthony’s ability to adapt to different promotions and audiences, his time as a cornerstone for multiple independent companies, his relationship with Amazing Red, the importance of no ropes matches, intergender wrestling, and what it means to become a veteran presence in locker rooms without necessarily setting out to be one.

Plus, Anthony previews his upcoming Respect Wrestling main event against Austin Aries, a match he describes as one of the only true dream matches he has ever wanted. We discuss Aries’ influence, what makes Ray Sanchez such a strong voice in wrestling, and why Respect has become such an exciting new space in the independent scene.

In this episode:

• Anthony Gangone explains how the Dr. Sleep character came together
• We talk horror movies, unsettling characters, and finding inspiration outside of wrestling
• Anthony breaks down what it means to be a true hybrid wrestler
• Kelsey asks about the mandible claw and immediately regrets understanding how it works
• We discuss brawling, submissions, and why discomfort is such a powerful tool in wrestling
• Anthony reflects on being a reliable veteran presence across multiple independent promotions
• We talk House of Glory, CZW, The Mecca, Respect Wrestling, and the changing indie landscape
• Anthony looks back on his no ropes matches and his history with Amazing Red
• We discuss intergender wrestling, realism, and the “final girl” energy of Dr. Sleep
• Anthony previews his Respect Wrestling title defense against Austin Aries
• We get into support systems, confidence, V for Vendetta, They Live, and why Dr. Sleep probably cannot be killed

This is a conversation about longevity, reinvention, horror, professionalism, and the strange peace that comes after someone puts you to sleep.

Anthony Gangone is not interested in doing the same thing twice.

And Dr. Sleep is only getting started.

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—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 trustworthy every time he speaks.

The Temple itself immediately becomes part of the story. The concrete, the stairs, the intimate crowd, Dario’s office, and the cinematic camera work give the show a true home base. It feels less like a weekly wrestling broadcast and more like entering a fully realized world.

In this episode:

• Kelsey enters the Temple for the very first time
• We break down Lucha Underground’s cinematic opening and mythology
• Dario Cueto establishes himself as wrestling’s newest deeply suspicious promoter
• Matt Striker and Vampiro immediately become one of our favorite commentary teams
• Blue Demon Jr. and Chavo Guerrero open the series with generations of lucha history behind them
• Sexy Star makes an instant impression against Son of Havoc
• Konnan explains Prince Puma’s connection to the seven Aztec tribes and the deeper meaning behind the luchador’s mask
• Johnny Mundo and Prince Puma deliver a main event so good that Kelsey stops taking notes
• Dario proves that the promised $100,000 may never have been anyone’s to win
• We become extremely excited—and slightly concerned—about the Temple’s stairs

The cinematography feels like a prime-time drama. The wrestling feels fresh. The lore already runs deep. The characters are larger than life, and this is only episode one.

Welcome to New to The Temple.

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!

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, content creation, and the moments that made him realize people were actually listening.

Whether you're a longtime wrestling fan, a fellow creator, or someone chasing a dream of your own, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come from simply putting yourself out there and seeing what happens.

Plus: WrestleMania memories, indie wrestling stories, podcasting advice, celebrity wrestling takes, favorite matches, and plenty of rambling along the way.

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!

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 wrestling training
🔥 The evolution of Miracle Generation and his partnership with Dustin Flash Waller
🔥 Their historic IWTV Tag Team Championship run and what made it so special
🔥 Wrestling Open, Beyond Wrestling, and helping build something from the ground up
🔥 Dream matches, future goals, and why Japan remains at the top of his wrestling bucket list
🔥 The mindset, positivity, and perseverance that have helped him become one of the most respected young wrestlers on the independent scene

Along the way, we discuss road trips, anime, Paramore, John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, New Haven, Connecticut, and why Kylon believes wrestling is a marathon—not a sprint.

Whether you've followed Kylon's journey for years or are discovering him for the first time, this conversation is a reminder of why independent wrestling continues to thrive: incredible talent, relentless work ethic, and people who genuinely love what they do.

🎂 Happy Birthday, Kylon!

🎙 Listen now at 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!

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.

And somehow...

It's incredible.

We break down:

• Why this story became so beloved in Mexico
• The brilliance of the El Grande Americano character
• How WWE and AAA created something genuinely special
• The incredible atmosphere surrounding the match
• And why this may be one of the best examples of what professional wrestling can be when everything clicks

From the entrances to the storytelling to the emotional post-match unmasking, this wasn't just a great match.

It was a reminder that wrestling can still surprise us.

If you've ever struggled to explain why you love wrestling to someone else, this might be the match you show them.

🎙 Watch, listen, and explore more at newtowrestling.com

🧘 Wrestlers: Don't forget Restorative for Wrestlers at Yoga Mechanics in Montclair, NJ.

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!

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…

THAT ending.

A twist we genuinely did not see coming that turned this entire episode on its head.

Some of this was messy. Some of it was bizarre. Some of it aged… deeply poorly.

But when Attitude Era Raw delivers chaos with a killer payoff?

It absolutely works.

🎙 New to Wrestling is the podcast where a longtime fan and a newer fan experience wrestling history together—one completely unhinged episode at a time.

Watch/listen now at 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!

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 brother” era begins
🔥 Undertaker continues being terrifying but somehow emotionally complicated?
🔥 Ken Shamrock, Owen Hart, and Triple H put on an absolute banger
🔥 The Brawl for All begins…and we immediately have questions
🔥 Edge continues his weird little gargoyle phase
🔥 Val Venis remains deeply committed to being… Val Venis

And somehow, after all that?

Stone Cold gets his title back in under 24 hours.

This episode is messy. Weird. Surprisingly great in spots. And exactly the kind of post-pay-per-view nonsense that makes Attitude Era Raw such a blast to revisit.

If you like:
✔ wrestling chaos
✔ instant revenge
✔ family trauma presented as storyline entertainment
✔ Kelsey’s ongoing hatred of Paul Bearer

…this one’s for you.

🎙 New to Wrestling is the podcast where one lifelong fan and one newer fan experience wrestling history together—equal parts analysis, emotional damage, and absolute nonsense.

Listen/watch now at 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!