New to Wrestling Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this New to Wrestling: After Dark episode, hosts Kelsey Silva and Xavier sit down with indie tag team standouts "Miami" Mike Walker and Vinny Talotta, better known as The Post Game, for a conversation that’s part locker room banter, part wrestling masterclass.

Mike and Vinny open up about their wrestling origins, training experiences, and the grind of building a name across different territories. They share how their tag team chemistry clicks, their favorite matches, and the challenges — and payoffs — of carving out a reputation in the independent scene.

We also get the inside scoop on their recent clash with Shot Through the Heart for the Focus Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championships, their dream to wrestle in Europe and Japan, and the role confidence plays in their in-ring style.

Highlights Include:

• The chaos of their pre-match rituals
• The unexpected story behind the name “Post-Game”
• The camaraderie (and occasional chaos) of the indie wrestling world
• Why they believe indie wrestling is the most creative playground in the business

Whether you’re a diehard wrestling fan or just discovering the scene beyond the big leagues, this episode offers an intimate, unfiltered look at two up-and-coming wrestlers chasing big goals — and having a blast 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!

This week on New to Wrestling, we’re taking it back to March 9, 1998 — a night where the glow-in-the-dark sticks were out, the People’s Elbow got its official christening, and the Attitude Era served up its usual recipe of chaos, questionable fashion choices, and about three disqualifications too many.

From Sable getting humiliated in heels that could outrun Jurassic Park raptors, to Farooq teaching The Rock a little Nation of Domination tough love, to Shawn Michaels swooping in for a superkick with a very broken back — this episode had it all.

Oh, and yes, we finally got one full match from bell to bell. Miracles do happen.

Match Card:

• Ken Shamrock & Steve Blackman vs. The Rock & Farooq (Nation of Domination) — Glow sticks, bowling shoes, and a hard-launch for the People’s Elbow.
• Owen Hart vs. Barry Windham — Ends in a DQ after a Chyna low blow, but sets the stage for WrestleMania.
• Águila vs. Brian Christopher — A lucha fever dream (literally — he had the flu) with an Attitude Era DQ finish.
• Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie vs. The Quebecers — Powder blue fashion choices and a post-match ambush from the Outlaws.
• Marc Mero vs. Goldust (Luna & Sable handcuffed at ringside) — Face paint humiliation, drink tossing, and an intergender WrestleMania challenge.
• Savio Vega vs. Triple H — More lumberjack brawl than match, ending in a Stone Cold beatdown and a DX sneak attack.

📚 Book Club Alert: We’re also deep into our Reading the Ring wrestling book club, currently reading There’s Just One Problem by Brian Gewirtz. New videos drop weekly on our YouTube channel — subscribe and read along so you can join the chaos

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!

Wrestling is art—and Matt Awesome lives that truth with every bump, beat, and Bronx-infused promo.

In this After Dark session, Matt joins Kelsey and Xavier to talk about everything from his deep-rooted love of music (and how every promo has a secret Easter egg) to surviving a terrifying in-ring asthma attack that nearly ended his career. He shares how that moment lit a fire under him to take his health seriously, train with the best, and reframe what it means to push through—on the mat and in life.

We get into the birth of the Uptown Boyz, why nobody hits harder than your best friend, and how tag team chemistry isn’t something you fake. Plus: what it’s like to wrestle your heroes (Savio Vega and Homicide), build a signature weapon blessed by the souls of a thousand abuelitas, and fight for legacy as much as titles.

Also, if you’ve ever wanted to know whether Kelsey and Xavier would survive taking a bump… well, we might find out soon.

🎶 Signed chanclas. Chair tattoos. Bronx storytelling.

This one hits different.

Timestamps

• 00:25 – Matt Awesome joins the show!
• 01:57 – Favorite movies: The Crow & The Lost Boys
• 03:19 – Music in promos: Matt’s secret sauce
• 06:46 – The Fabolous promo and the asthma scare
• 08:59 – In-ring medical emergency and fitness comeback
• 13:00 – His mom’s impact and strong women in his life
• 17:09 – Sister’s cancer battle and staying motivated
• 20:12 – “Your best friend hits hardest”: Wrestling Jarett Diaz
• 22:32 – Brutal match with Steve Peña: Teacher vs. Student
• 28:49 – The chuncla origin story (and merch hustle)
• 33:36 – Forming the Uptown Boys tag team
• 42:08 – The feud with Jay Bougie and Bronx intensity
• 46:37 – Tagging with Savio Vega: Dream come true
• 53:12 – Homicide tributes and the power of storytelling
• 55:28 – Why Eddie vs. Rey (Halloween Havoc ‘97) still hits

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 edition of the New to Wrestling Podcast we review the February 13, 1997 episode Thursday Raw Thursday! We breakdown every Match on the card; Rocky Maivia wins the Intercontinental Championship; Shawn Michaels must relinquish his the WWF Championship due to injury which makes the upcoming Fatal 4-Way between Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vader, and The Undertaker a championship match! Trouble continues for the tag-team champions, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog & The Headbangers make their WWF debut!

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 installment of The New to Wrestling Podcast we watched the February 3, 1997 edition of Monday Night Raw. Raw has switched to the 2-Hour format we know and love! We review every match on the card; Bret Hart Seeks revenge against Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels; Tag- Team and Intercontinental Championships on the line; The Undertaker teams with Ahmed Johnson to take on Farooq and Mankind in a NO HOLDS BARRED tag-team match! 

Only a few days left to vote for us for The Best Wrestling Podcast category at the Sports Podcast Awards! Voting ends January 28th, 2024.

You can vote at the link below:
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category/ 

Thank YOU for your support! 

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 episode we reviewed the January 27, 1997 edition of Monday Night Raw! We review every match on the Card. Ahmed Johnson's feud with the Nation of Domination continues leaving us with a new view of Ahmed, Shawn Michaels interview ends with chaos when Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Vader, and Stone Cold come out to give the champion a piece of their mind, Turmoil ensues between the tag-team champions and the unlikely combo of Mankind and Vader team up to take on the Godwins! We respond to a viewer/listener comment & More!

Vote for us for the Best Wrestling Podcast via The Sports Podcast Awards:
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category/

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 episode of the New to Wrestling podcast we covered the January 20, 1997 edition of Monday Night Raw. We review every match on the card; Bret Hart is not happy with the results of the Royal Rumble Match; Tag-team Champions Owen Hart & The British Bulldog in Action; Blockbuster Fatal 4-Way Announced for the #1 Contendership & More!!

Vote for us in The Best Wrestling Podcast category via the Sports Podcast Awards!
https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category/

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 edition of the New to Wrestling Podcast we enjoyed the 1997 Edition of the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View. We review every match on the card; Does Goldust extract revenge against Triple H for laying hands on Marlena?; Ahmed Johnson and the Nation of Domination feud deepens; Paul Bearer gets the better of the Undertaker...Again; Stone Cold wins the Royal Rumble in controversial fasion; and HBK looks to regain the WWF Championship in his hometown.

We want to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year and we thank you for your continued support. If you would like to Vote for us in the Best Wrestling Category at the Sports Podcast Awards you can vote at the link below:

Voting Link:
 https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category/ 

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 edition of the New to Wrestling Podcast we discuss the January 13, 1997 edition of Monday Night Raw. We review every match on the card, Shawn Michaels and Sycho Sid exchange promos, Hunter Hurst Helmsley leaves his tag-team partner out to dry, Goldust is focused on Hunter and the intercontinental title, Stone Cold Steve Austin isn't done messing with Bret "The Hitman" Hart, & More.

Don't forget to vote for us in the Best Wrestling Podcast Category at this years Sports Podcast Awards! We appreciate it greatly!

Voting Link: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category/ 

This week we hope that you all had a lovely holiday season and enjoyed some time with your friends and families! 

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 watch the January 6, 1997 edition of Monday Night Raw. We breakdown every match on the card; Marlena uses her feminine wiles to help Goldust; We discuss the importance of ECW to the Attitude Era; The Undertaker sends a message to Vader; and the Road to the Royal Rumble is getting WILD!

This week we have the exciting news in sharing that we have been shortlisted for the Sports Podcast Awards in their "Best Wrestling Podcast" category! This is a huge honor as we are sitting in the same category as wrestling legends Konnan, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Debiase, and Kurt Angle! We Appreciate all your support thus far and we hope that we have earned your vote! We are having so much fun making this show!

Vote Here:
 https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category/

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!