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’s carved out space for herself in the intergender scene, why she trains like Rey Mysterio but throws like Bam Bam, and what it’s like cutting promos on your real-life best frenemies. Also: eyeliner symmetry, kids calling her an a**, and why indie wrestling is the real land of misfit toys.

It’s chaotic, it’s emotional, it’s funny as hell—and it’s everything we love about wrestling and the weirdos who make it worth watching.

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 – Intro & Guest Reveal: Sammi Chaos joins as the first female guest
• 00:02:23 – Wrestling Origins: Drunken epiphanies, desk jobs, and jumping in
• 00:04:00 – Social Anxiety & Performance: Overcoming fear and finding power through wrestling
• 00:06:20 – In-Ring Psychology & Influences: Learning from ROH, Kurt Angle, and Rey Mysterio
• 00:10:30 – Hard-Hitting Style: Sammi’s love for physical matches and making them feel like fights
• 00:13:28 – Improv & Adaptability: Last-minute bookings and the value of in-ring chemistry
• 00:15:20 – Intergender Wrestling: Storytelling dynamics and flipping the usual power narrative
• 00:17:54 – Full Circle Moments: Wrestling her trainer Brother Greatness
• 00:20:24 – Promos & Character Work: Her chaotic feud with Brian Baum and the power of creative freedom
• 00:21:32 – Pride Shows & Representation: Why inclusive shows matter
• 00:24:25 – The Persona vs The Person: Sammi Chaos as armor for social anxiety
• 00:27:42 – Makeup, Gear & Rituals: How visual identity enhances confidence
• 00:31:04 – Balancing Wrestling & Work: The physical toll and emotional reward of the grind
• 00:32:56 – Favorite Collaborators: Locker room love and tag team chaos
• 00:35:11 – Tough Coaching & Growth: Getting pushed beyond physical limits
• 00:40:53 – The Beauty of Indie Wrestling: Diversity, gimmicks, and true creative freedom
• 00:43:01 – Hopes for Intergender Wrestling: Acceptance, visibility, and booking without boundaries
• 00:45:09 – What’s Next: Upcoming shows and staying busy

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!