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!

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 villain
• Al Snow continues to be the most over man in the building… without wrestling
• And the show ends with a full-blown setup as Kane and Mankind ambush Stone Cold in one of the wildest closing segments yet

This episode is pure Attitude Era energy — chaotic, unhinged, and somehow still pushing every major storyline forward at once.

We’re officially on the road to King of the Ring… and you can feel it building.

🌐 More N2W

For full episodes, clips, and everything we’ve got going on:
👉 newtowrestling.com

🧘 Restorative for Wrestlers

We’re also launching something new:

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

If you’re a wrestler (or know one), we’d love to have you join us.
We’re currently locking in dates — likely Fridays — so stay tuned or reach out.

Because taking bumps is part of the job…
Recovering properly should be too.

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.

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 his own brother.
• Mankind returns (and immediately makes us question our loyalty).
• DX and The Nation tear into each other in elimination chaos.
• Mark Henry vs Terry Funk is somehow both insane and underrated.
• Val Venis continues to terrorize Chicago’s signage.
• And yes… we are officially on the road to that Hell in a Cell.

This episode is a tonal shift. The stories are tighter. The rivalries are sharper. The Vince vs Austin war is happening on commentary while Kane and Undertaker are literally fighting in the ring.

And for the first time, it really feels like the pieces are locking into place for King of the Ring.

We’re inching closer.

You know what match we’re talking about.

Let’s get into it.

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… 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. Dude Love with Vince McMahon as referee — Pat Patterson as ring announcer — Gerald Brisco as timekeeper — and The Undertaker lurking at ringside as enforcer.

This wasn’t just a match.
It was controlled chaos.

Falls count anywhere.
Cars in the stage set.
Blood.
Chair shots.
Table spots.
Vince’s lifeless arm being used to count the three.

And somehow, it all works.

We break down:

• Why Kai En Tai instantly revitalized the light heavyweight division
• The Rock vs. Farooq chemistry finally clicking
• The growing war between DX and The Nation
• Vader’s emotional post-match moment
• And why Austin vs. McMahon might be the most perfectly constructed power feud in wrestling history

This pay-per-view isn’t always the first one people mention from 1998… but maybe it should be.

For Kelsey and Xavier, this one was goop.
It was gag.
It was wrestling.

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… 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 — twice
• The Undertaker choke-slamming the boss without warning
• Kane and Undertaker’s explosive pre-PPV brawl
• Triple H vs. The Rock in a future-feud preview classic
• Sable manipulating Mark Mero into a career-defining stipulation
• The surreal debut of The Oddities (yes… that happened)
• DX escalating their war with WCW via skywriting and cartoon fighter jets

Plus:
Taka Michinoku steals the show.
Vader and Kane continue their monster collision course.
Farooq and The Rock’s tension reaches a boiling point.
And Vince names himself special guest referee because of course he does.

This episode is peak Attitude Era chaos — arrests, run-ins, corporate power trips, and the kind of unhinged storytelling that only 1998 could deliver.

And with Over the Edge looming, the stage is set for one of the most overbooked main events in WWF history.

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… 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 real.

This episode is about community. It’s about what happens when wrestling fans show up for something bigger than the ring. It’s about DollyMoo opening their doors, friends jumping in to help, and the reminder that even in a weird world, people still care deeply for one another.

We also share:

• What it was like delivering the donations
• Why this will become an annual tradition
• Details on upcoming shows we’ll be attending (Fuego Lucha’s Amor Igera and ETU’s By Any Means at The Mecca)
• A spotlight on the Cauliflower Alley Club and how you can directly support wrestlers in need

This was never about numbers — but the numbers mattered. And more importantly, the people did.

Our regular programming returns next week. For now, this one is about gratitude, wrestling family, and proving that when we work together, we can actually make a difference.

Thank you for showing up.

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!