On this week’s New to Wrestling, Kelsey and Xavier dive headfirst into the madness of the January 26, 1998 episode of Raw is War — and oh, it’s a ride.

From VaderDust to DX drag, and one of the wildest “main events” in recent memory (spoiler: it’s not Triple H), the episode delivers pure Attitude Era chaos. The hosts break down Kane’s absolute rampage, the unexpectedly touching friendship of Terry Funk and Mick Foley, and a DX beatdown that had way too many guest stars.

Plus, in the spirit of WrestleMania season, Kelsey and Xavier share their predictions for this year’s two-night spectacle — with all the sass, heartbreak, and hot takes you’ve come to expect.

Will Owen Hart finally force Triple H to face him? Is Vader really fearless? And why exactly was Goldust wearing that nose? You’ll have to listen to find out.

🎧 Stream now and get caught up on all the chaos, comedy, and commentary that only New to Wrestling can deliver.

Match Card:

• Ken Shamrock vs. Mark Henry
• Barry Windham & Jeff Jarrett vs. The Legion of Doom (Animal & Hawk)
• Vader vs. TAFKA Goldust (with Luna Vachon)
• The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn & Road Dogg) vs. Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie – WWF Tag Team Championship Match
• El Pantera vs. Brian Christopher
• The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) vs. The Quebecers (Jacques & Pierre)
• Owen Hart vs. TAFKA Goldust – WWF European Championship Match

Timestamps:

• 0:27 – Welcome + Match Card Overview
• 2:03 – WrestleMania 41 Predictions (Night 1 & 2)
• 15:53 – New Sponsor Announcement: Anniversary 8 – A Jurassic Celebration
• 17:24 – Raw Recap Begins: Mike Tyson/Stone Cold Fallout
• 21:04 – Ken Shamrock vs. Mark Henry
• 23:33 – Kane vs. The World: Video Package & Recap
• 26:35 – Barry Windham & Jeff Jarrett vs. Legion of Doom
• 28:03 – DX Locker Room Antics (Mini-Promo)
• 31:11 – DX Promo: Shawn Michaels Plots for WrestleMania
• 32:55 – Vader vs. Goldust (as “Vader Dust”)
• 35:10 – Kane’s Post-Match Attack on Vader
• 36:20 – Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie vs. New Age Outlaws (Tag Title Chaos)
• 40:22 – Post-Match Brawl + Terry Funk Moonsault
• 40:32 – Taka Michinoku Video Package
• 41:02 – Brian Christopher vs. El Pantera
• 45:40 – Jerry Lawler Betrays El Pantera
• 46:10 – Cactus & Charlie Backstage Interview + DX Attack
• 48:00 – The Headbangers vs. The Quebecers
• 50:33 – Owen Hart vs. “Triple H” (aka Goldust in Drag)
• 56:01 – Owen Hart Awarded the European Championship
• 57:43 – Don King’s Promo About Mike Tyson at WrestleMania
• 58:22 – Steve Austin Closes the Show with a Warning to Tyson

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!

On this week’s New to Wrestling, we’re diving into the January 19, 1998 episode of Raw is War—a post-Rumble fever dream packed with betrayal, barbecues, and bald accusations.

Paul Bearer gaslights us all (again), DX gets campy with some cosplay, and Mike Tyson shows up with everyone he’s ever met just to get flipped off by Stone Cold. Meanwhile, Kelsey mourns Kane’s villain turn, Xavier stans Chainsaw Charlie, and we both try to figure out what the hell those girls were doing sitting quietly in a hearse.

Here’s the stacked match card:

• DOA (Chains, 8-Ball & Skull) vs. Nation of Domination (Farooq, Kama Mustafa & D’Lo Brown)
• Marc Mero (with Sable & a boxing robe) vs. Tom Brandi (who we guess is Italian now?)
• The Quebecers vs. Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie
• Jeff Jarrett (c) vs. Blackjack Bradshaw for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship
• Owen Hart, Taka Michinoku & The Headbangers vs. Los Boricuas
• The Rock (c) vs. Ahmed Johnson for the Intercontinental Championship
• New Age Outlaws (c) vs. The Godwins for the WWF Tag Team Titles

Also featuring:

• A DX/Undertaker segment so unhinged it involves sala
• And the chaotic, era-defining Tyson/Austin confrontation that changed wrestling forever

We laughed, we yelled, we screamed “not the bald!” more than once. Tap in.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:27 Intro
• 4:44 We Went To AEW Dynasty
• 8:33 Cold Open Discussion
• 12:33 Kelsey's Frustration and Hope
• 16:23 Wrestler's Heel Turn Discussion
• 20:52 Wrestling Match Dynamics
• 29:41 Television and Wrestling Segment
• 32:58 Marc Miro's Insecurities
• 37:42 DX Investigates Hearse
• 41:32 Mike Tyson's Entourage and Quebecers' Return
• 46:58 Terry Funk's Match Antics
• 50:27 NWA North American Heavyweight Championship Match
• 55:18 DX Backstage Segment
• 58:23 Iconic DX Segment
• 1:02:18 Triple H's Space Mountain Comment
• 1:06:41 Eight-man Tag Match Discussion
• 1:11:13 Main Event Setup
• 1:15:01 The Mike Tyson Segment
• 1:18:17 Chaos with Mike Tyson's Team
• 1:22:31 Outro

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!

We’re back with another New to Wrestling pay-per-view deep dive—this time, we’re heading into the chaos that was Royal Rumble 1998! Kelsey is angry (rightfully so), Xavier is ready to defend Stone Cold’s Sharpay energy, and we’re both absolutely reeling from the main event madness.

💥 Match Card Includes:

•Vader vs. The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust (with Luna)

•Max Mini, Mosaic & Nova vs. Battalion, Tarantula & El Torito (Minis Tag Match)

•The Rock vs. Ken Shamrock – Intercontinental Championship

•Legion of Doom vs. New Age Outlaws – WWF Tag Team Championship

•The 30-Man Royal Rumble Match

•The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WWF Championship Casket Match

We get betrayal, exploding feuds, full-on Nut Goozles™, and the legendary triple appearance from Mick Foley. The Rumble is pure chaos and we’re here to break it all down—tangents, thirst, and unfiltered feelings included.

👀 Was this the wildest Royal Rumble yet? Did Shawn really wrestle with a broken back? And why are Road Dogg’s braid extensions haunting Kelsey’s dreams?

Press play and we’ll see you there.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:27 Match Card Overview
• 4:47 Mike Tyson's WWE Involvement
• 9:12 Goldust's New Look and Antics
• 12:21 Rave Fashion Trends Discussion
• 15:58 Austin's Arrival in Skull Truck
• 20:37 Mini Tag Match with Sunny as Referee
• 24:22 Stone Cold's Dressing Room Segment
• 28:17 Wrestling Match Discussion
• 32:58 Feud and Backstage Hunt Discussion
• 42:29 Royal Rumble Video Package
• 45:43 Suplex on Steel Chairs Discussion
• 50:27 Sable's Appearance and Stone Cold Connection
• 54:48 Jeff Jarrett's Entrance and Elimination
• 1:00:32 Royal Rumble Final Moments
• 1:03:54 Wrestling Feuds and Alliances Discussion
• 1:07:39 Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels Casket Match
• 1:11:14 Wrestler's Back Injury Discussion
• 1:14:57 Triple H Assists Shawn Michaels
• 1:19:30 Kane's Entrance and Attack on Undertaker
• 1:23:53 Burying Alive Scene Discussion

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 on New to Wrestling, Xavier and Kelsey dive deep into a WILD episode of Raw is War from January 12, 1998, and y’all… there is chaos from start to finish. We’ve got fatal four-way tag team madness, DX running a frat house out of a limo, Stone Cold driving trucks and stunning the entire roster, and Goldust entering his Sable drag era—and honestly? He slayed. The wig was laid.

Plus, your fave tag team (Kelsey and Xavier, obviously) hit up their first live indie wrestling show and accidentally crashed the locker room. Oops. Story time included.

We also cover:

• 🔥 Owen Hart going full vigilante
• 💔 The Rock staging a Nation of Domination takeover while Farooq was out getting snacks
• 🔥 Kane & The Undertaker’s family therapy session… via pyro
• 🎭 Goldust discovering the power of camp
• 🚨 Jerry Lawler being gross again (someone get this man off commentary)

And listen… that final Kane/Taker moment? TEARS. CINEMA. SYMPHONIC WRESTLING ART.

Buckle up, besties. It’s the last stop before Royal Rumble ‘98 and we are SCREAMING.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – 3:05: Welcome + Independent Wrestling Weekend Adventures
• 3:05 – 8:10: Accidentally Backstage: Lost at Indie Wrestling
• 8:10 – 12:34: Elimination Chamber Reactions + Modern Divas Talk
• 12:34 – 14:19: DX in a Limo (Again) + Opening Segment
• 14:19 – 17:43: Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Title Match
• 17:43 – 20:23: Austin Arrives—With Chaos
• 20:23 – 21:31: Austin Promo: “I’m a Marked Man?”
• 21:32 – 25:01: Kurrgan Squashes Jobbers + Helmet Destruction
• 25:01 – 26:57: Owen Hart Sunroof Attack!
• 26:57 – 29:05: Marc Mero’s Mic Issues + Sable Drag Reveal
• 29:05 – 35:17: Goldust in Full Drag vs. Vader (and Coconuts)
• 35:17 – 36:10: Austin Stuns Vader Again?!
• 36:10 – 39:02: Mark Henry Turns on Shamrock—Joins The Nation!
• 39:02 – 41:11: Rocky’s “Know Your Role” Promo on Farooq
• 41:11 – 44:45: DX Gets Gross + Owen Hart’s Fiery Comeback
• 44:45 – 47:55: DX’s Wild Promos + Fashion Notes
• 47:55 – 50:18: DOA vs. Rock and Roll Express (Jim Cornette Chaos)
• 50:18 – 53:31: Cactus Jack’s Promo + Deathmatch Daddies
• 53:31 – 57:01: Mankind vs. Goldust (as Dude Love) + Austin Interruption
• 57:01 – 58:22: Vince’s Big Mike Tyson… Announcement of an Announcement
• 58:22 – 1:00:00: Sunny’s Chaotic Cheerleading Intro
• 1:00:00 – 1:03:31: Taka Michinoku & Scott Taylor vs. Los Boricuas
• 1:03:31 – 1:04:56: Owen Hart Attacks with a Crutch!
• 1:04:56 – 1:08:29: Kane Joins DX? Not So Fast—Undertaker Showdown
• 1:08:29 – 1:10:19: Emotional Kane/Taker Moment of the Year™
• 1:10:20 – 1:13:01: Chaos Before the Rumble: Number Draw Beatdowns
• 1:13:01 – 1:15:10: Final Thoughts + What’s Coming Next

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!

In this episode of the New to Wrestling podcast, hosts Xavier and Kelsey dive into the January 5, 1998 edition of Raw is War. The show kicks off with Stone Cold Steve Austin declaring his intentions for the Royal Rumble, setting the tone for a night filled with surprise attacks and confrontations.

The episode features several notable matches, including Ken Shamrock taking on Farooq and Owen Hart facing Savio Vega. Throughout the show, Stone Cold Steve Austin makes his presence felt by delivering stunners to various superstars. The hosts discuss the ongoing storylines, including the tension within the Nation of Domination, the introduction of Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk), and the buildup to the Royal Rumble. The episode concludes with a dramatic segment involving Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker, leaving viewers with a cliffhanger ending.

Match Card:

• Ken Shamrock vs. Farooq
• Jeff Jarrett vs. Barry Windham (NWA North American Heavyweight Championship)
• Disciples of the Apocalypse vs. Truth Commission
• Owen Hart vs. Savio Vega
• Marc Mero vs. Tom Brandi
• New Age Outlaws vs. The Headbangers

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro and episode overview
• 5:33 Stone Cold's surprise attacks begin
• 10:29 Ken Shamrock vs Farooq match analysis
• 16:06 Paul Bearer's emotional plea for Kane
• 21:26 NWA North American Championship match controversy
• 27:41 Sable's mistreatment by Marc Mero storyline
• 45:37 Paul Bearer's disheveled appearance and promo
• 50:54 Marc Mero vs Tom Brandi match
• 57:43 Chainsaw Charlie's dramatic debut with Cactus Jack
• 1:05:43 Shawn Michaels calls out The Undertaker

🚨 Exclusive Discount for New to Wrestling Podcast Listeners! 🚨

Get 10% off your order at BeatenPathCo.com with the coupon code: NewtoWrestling 🏆💥

Support the show & grab some awesome gear today! 🎧🔥 #NewToWrestling #BeatenPathCo

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!

In this episode of the New to Wrestling podcast, hosts Xavier and Kelsey explore the December 22, 1997 edition of Raw is War. They dive into the ongoing storylines, including Kane's relentless path of destruction and the comedic antics of DX. The hosts also discuss the challenges of accessing episodes due to Netflix's limited availability, adding a layer of frustration to their viewing experience.

The episode features a mix of intense matches and humorous segments. Highlights include The Rock's evolving persona as the people's champion, Owen Hart's surprise attack on Triple H, and Mankind's festive brawl with the New Age Outlaws. The hosts provide insightful commentary on the performances and storyline developments, capturing the essence of the late 90s WWF era. They also introduce a new segment for the upcoming season, focusing on WWE's Evolve show, which showcases independent wrestlers entering the WWE system.

Match Card:

• Thrasher vs. Henry Godwin
• The Rock vs. The Undertaker
• Marc Miro vs. Scott Taylor
• Kurgan vs. Eight Ball
• Ken Shamrock vs. D'Lo Brown
• Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (European Championship)

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro and episode overview
• 5:24 Netflix's inconsistent Raw episode availability
• 13:38 New Evolve show to be covered alongside Raw
• 23:08 Raw episode begins with DX segment
• 30:22 Thrasher vs Henry Godwin match recap
• 35:50 The Rock faces off against The Undertaker
• 49:35 Sable gets revenge with sexy Mrs. Claus outfit
• 56:46 Ken Shamrock vs D'Lo Brown match analysis
• 1:03:10 Mankind ambushes New Age Outlaws backstage
• 1:08:48 Hosts criticize Goldust's new controversial character direction
• 1:11:21 Triple H vs Shawn Michaels for European Championship
• 1:16:16 Wrap-up and teaser for season 3

🚨 Exclusive Discount for New to Wrestling Podcast Listeners! 🚨

Get 10% off your order at BeatenPathCo.com with the coupon code: NewtoWrestling 🏆💥

Support the show & grab some awesome gear today! 🎧🔥 #NewToWrestling #BeatenPathCo

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!

The New to Wrestling podcast covers the December 7, 1997 edition of Degeneration X in Your House pay-per-view. Hosts Xavier and Kelsey Silva provide a detailed breakdown of the event's eight matches, including:

Match Card:

• Taka Michinoku vs Brian Christopher for the Light Heavyweight Championship
• Los Boricuas vs Disciples of the Apocalypse in a six-man tag match
• Marc Mero vs Butterbean in a tough man contest
• New Age Outlaws vs Legion of Doom for the Tag Team Championships
• Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Sergeant Slaughter in a boot camp match
• Jeff Jarrett vs The Undertaker
• Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock for the Intercontinental Championship
• Ken Shamrock vs Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship

The hosts offer insightful commentary on the matches, storylines, and memorable moments from the event. They discuss the emergence of the Attitude Era, highlighting the increased adult content and edgier themes. The podcast provides a nostalgic look back at this pivotal period in wrestling history, analyzing the performances of iconic wrestlers and the evolution of their characters.

Xavier and Kelsey share their reactions to key moments, including Kane's Appearance, the Rock and Stone Cold's first confrontation, and Owen Hart's surprise return. They also critique the production choices, commentary, and crowd reactions throughout the show. The hosts' enthusiasm and chemistry shine through as they dissect the matches and speculate on future storylines, making for an engaging and informative listen for wrestling fans.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:29 Match Card Overview
• 4:53 Jeff Jarrett's Match and Goldust's Transformation
• 9:54 Discussion on unexpected wrestling content
• 14:02 Discussion on Brian Christopher
• 18:22 Match Conclusion: Taka becomes first Light Heavyweight champion
• 22:35 Miguel's Injury Act
• 25:41 Discussion on Butterbean's Interview
• 29:37 Discussion on a legitimate fight
• 34:12 Discussion on Butterbean and Mark Miro's age perception
• 39:34 Mistakes were made: Butterbean dominates Mark Miro
• 44:18 Strange Reading and Costuming
• 49:41 Tag Team Championship Match: New Age Outlaws vs. Legion of Doom
• 51:53 Match Chaos: Elodie dominates, chaos ensues, disqualification
• 57:03 Triple H's Appearance
• 1:01:32 Beautiful tie commentary
• 1:05:06 Establishing Sergeant Slaughter's Role
• 1:08:45 Discussion on Jeff Jarrett's match
• 1:15:32 Intercontinental Championship Match: Stone Cold vs. The Rock
• 1:17:16 Netflix Frustration
• 1:21:21 Dance and Wrestling Commentary
• 1:25:54 Match Conclusion and Owen Hart's Return

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!

In this episode of the "New to Wrestling" podcast, hosts Kelsey and Xavier explore the intricate layers of the Montreal Screwjob, marking the third installment of their series. They reflect on the Wrestling with Shadows documentary, offering insights into Bret Hart's tumultuous relationship with Vince McMahon and the wrestling industry. The hosts delve into the psychological dynamics at play, particularly the father-son complex and the pressure to meet expectations.

Kelsey and Xavier discuss the logistics of Bret Hart's contract, the transition to the Attitude Era, and the behind-the-scenes tensions that culminated in the infamous event. They also examine the roles of key figures like Shawn Michaels and Triple H, while considering the aftermath of the Screwjob on Bret Hart's career and personal life. The episode touches on broader themes in wrestling, such as character dynamics and storytelling evolution.

Throughout the discussion, the hosts provide a mix of historical context, personal observations, and speculation about the motivations of those involved. They conclude with reflections on the lasting impact of the Montreal Screwjob and its significance in wrestling history.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:59 Discussion on Wrestling Documentaries
• 5:03 Kelsey Silva discusses Vince and Brett's dynamics
• 9:03 Segment on Bret Hart's Childhood
• 14:25 Contract Discussion
• 18:12 Discussion on 20-year contract setup
• 21:58 Discussion on the Attitude Era
• 26:11 Discussion on Dave Chappelle and moral relativism
• 31:16 Discussion on flamboyant wrestling persona
• 36:29 WWE's Strategy and Evolution
• 41:22 Segment on WWE and societal standards
• 46:29 Discussion on Paul Heyman and Jim Cornette
• 49:52 Discussion on Brett's Departure
• 55:34 Discussion on Sexualization in Sports
• 1:00:06 Discussion on Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels
• 1:04:27 Discussion on Shawn Michaels' Character
• 1:09:29 Wrestling Show Dynamics
• 1:13:48 Julie's reaction to Triple H
• 1:18:31 Brett's son's favorite wrestler
• 1:22:04 Discussion on Vince, Sean, and Brett
• 1:27:08 Discussion on wrestling match planning
• 1:31:21 Cooking vs. Baking Preferences
• 1:34:38 Discussion on Bret Hart's documentary

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!