Lights, togas, and a whole lot of backstage chaos—Becoming a Spectacle takes us behind the curtain of WrestleMania IX, and Kelsey and Xavier are here to break down every gloriously bizarre moment. From Hulk Hogan literally stealing the main event to the Undertaker being chloroformed by a 7-foot giant in an airbrushed bodysuit (you read that right), this documentary has everything: backstage betrayal, wild conspiracies, Vegas VIP drama, and a black eye that may or may not have come from Randy Savage’s fist.

We get into the fan-favorite clown attack (or nightmare, depending on your feelings about Doink), the debut of baby Jim Ross in a toga, and a ringside seating price comparison that’ll make your mortgage look like pocket change. Kelsey questions the very origin of Las Vegas, Xavier subtly drags Hulk Hogan, and everyone agrees: Julie Youngberg’s HBK gear deserved its own spotlight.

Plus, we talk about why this doc hits differently now that Triple H is running the show—and how WWE Unreal might be our new obsession. If you love hot takes, deep dives, and chaos in a parking lot turned coliseum, this one’s for you.

TimeStamps:
0:00 – ⚠️ Discretion Advised… And Welcome Back!
0:48 – 🧭 New to Wrestling? Meet Your Hosts
1:37 – 🎥 Becoming a Spectacle – Our Thoughts on WWE’s New Doc
2:10 – 📼 Footage From the Vault: Why Now?
3:51 – 🦸‍♂️ Wait… Is Basil DeVito a Batman Villain?
5:14 – 🕰️ George Germanakis = WWE’s Sacred Timekeeper
6:43 – 🌆 Vegas Before Vegas Was “Vegas”?
8:09 – 🥊 WWE Sells a Boxing Match… Then Sells Out WrestleMania
9:37 – 🏛️ They Turned a Parking Lot into a Roman Coliseum
10:09 – 💸 Meet Dollar Bill: The Budget King of WrestleMania 9
11:18 – 🎟️ Ticket Prices Then vs. Now (Your Wallet May Cry)
13:23 – 🤯 $25 Tickets?! Yes, That Was a Thing
16:07 – 🏆 The First-Ever Royal Rumble to WrestleMania Title Shot
17:18 – 😱 The Giant Gonzalez: Wrestling’s Tallest Horror
18:58 – ✂️ Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake’s Wildest Injury Ever
20:00 – 👎 The Hulk Hogan Agenda and Bret’s Massive Betrayal
25:17 – 🎯 Triple H, Cena, Rock… WWE History Repeating Itself?
30:40 – 🦅 The Undertaker, The Vulture and That Weird Chloroform Spot
34:16 – 🥼 How Hulk Lied to a Doctor and Got Cleared Anyway
36:07 – 💀 Wrestlers Are Built Different – Orbital Bone Edition
39:11 – 🧾 Linda McMahon: From Ticket Ripper to Cabinet Member?!
40:45 – 📣 Jim Ross’ First WWE Gig… In a Toga
43:08 – ✂️ Shawn Michaels’ Gear? Thank You, Julie Youngberg
45:48 – 🤡 DOUBLE DOINK: Wrestling’s Most Chaotic Clown Moment
47:35 – 🔔 Vince’s Ring Bell Meltdown Over Hulk Hogan
51:50 – ❌ Mr. Perfect Forgets the Entire Match?!
55:45 – 🧪 Undertaker vs. Chloroform: The Wildest Match Finish
57:35 – 🔪 A Knife in My Back: Bret Hart’s Realest Quote
1:00:36 – 😤 The Yoko Disrespect and Why This Ending Sucked
1:03:26 – 🌟 From Vegas Usher to WWE President: Nick Khan’s Journey
1:11:05 – 🎬 WWE’s Future: More Docs, More Drama, More Truth

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 WWE just launched Evolve, and so naturally… we’re D’Evolving.

In the debut episode of our new monthly series, we dive into the chaotic charm of WWE’s newest development brand where indie energy meets billion-dollar production. From mysterious sit-downs to full-on Gen Z tag-team douchebaggery (hi, Ricky Smokes), we’re tracking characters before they blow up—and losing our minds in the process.

Kelsey is still new to wrestling. Xavi’s desperately trying to make it make sense. Together, they break down early standouts like Kali Armstrong (“I’m different”—and it works), the heartbreak of Javier Bernal’s losing streak, and the messy, magnetic energy of Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes.

This is the ground floor. The tea is fresh. And the chaos is just getting started.

Welcome to D’Evolve—where WWE talent levels up, and we slowly lose our minds trying to keep 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!

Dumpster dives, DX chaos, and a heel turn 20 years in the making? Buckle up, because this week’s New to Wrestling episode is pure carnage—in the best possible way.

Kelsey and Xavier break down the February 2, 1998 edition of Raw Is War, an episode so unhinged it’s basically a fever dream with steel chairs. From Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie getting literally dumped off the Raw stage in a locked dumpster (yes, you read that right), to Sunny sobbing, wrestlers storming the ring, and Jim Ross losing his mind on commentary—this one is a ride. And that’s just the first hour.

We dig deep into why this episode, for all its chaos, may actually be one of the best examples of cohesive storytelling in the Attitude Era, with one narrative thread driving almost the entire show. DX pushes boundaries (and network censors), Austin keeps barreling toward Shawn Michaels, and somehow, Sable’s outfit still manages to hijack the spotlight. Oh, and did we mention Chainsaw Charlie shows up in a hospital gown wielding a chainsaw?

PLUS:

• 🚨 Kelsey gets the full breakdown of WrestleMania 41 from Xavier—Travis Scott’s cameo, John Cena’s controversial heel turn, and a title change that left everyone confused (and a little mad).
• 👀 WWE buys AAA and announces a new Worlds Collide event.
• 🎬 A WWE writers’ room reality show is in the works—and you know we’re going to cover it.
• 🎙️ We preview our upcoming Evolve recap episodes and our exclusive interview with indie standout Jarret Diaz.

This is the perfect episode for diehards and new fans alike. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the drama—and as always, a little shade.

Timestamps:

• 0:27 – Intro + Match card rundown
• 2:10 – WrestleMania 41 results & reactions
• 6:38 – Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, and the controversial main event
• 7:20 – Women’s Triple Threat & other WrestleMania highlights
• 12:12 – John Cena’s 17th title win (with help from Travis Scott)
• 17:25 – Las Vegas crowd vibes & branding overload
• 22:30 – WWE acquires AAA + “Worlds Collide” event announced
• 23:16 – WWE’s upcoming writers’ room reality series
• 24:31 – Start of Raw recap: DX’s State of the Union
• 29:28 – DX’s in-ring campaign for Tyson vs. Austin
• 33:28 – Cactus Jack vs. Chainsaw Charlie chaos
• 36:46 – Locker room fallout & real-time reactions
• 42:00 – Owen Hart vs. Billy Gunn + DX beatdown
• 46:32 – Mosh vs. Mark Mero (with Sable & “Marilyn”)
• 52:12 – Bradshaw vs. Barry Windham + Jeff Jarrett
• 56:09 – Chains (DOA) vs. Faarooq & Nation implosion
• 1:01:24 – Flash Funk & Bradshaw vs. Windham & Jarrett (Handicap match)
• 1:01:58 – Kane attacks Wink Collins + Vader returns
• 1:04:35 – Kane vs. Vader set for No Way Out
• 1:05:11 – Stone Cold vs. Road Dog main event
• 1:08:26 – Chainsaw Charlie & Cactus Jack return from the hospital
• 1:11:40 – Upcoming: Evolve recap series + interview with Jarret Diaz

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, 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 🏆💥

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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!