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Dave Meltzer, perhaps the most venerable reporter in the daily circus that is pro wrestling journalism, has landed in hot water after recent remarks about the appearance and breast enhancement of former NXT standout, and current SmackDown rookie, Peyton Royce.

Credit: WWE.com

As editor of the weekly Wrestling Observer Newsletter since 1980, Meltzer has been a staple of the hit-or-miss pro wrestling news ecosystem. Meltzer has reportedly written more words than anybody in history. This according to Dave Meltzer.

On the August 9 edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer had the following exchange with co-host Bryan Alvarez:

Meltzer: I thought [The IIconics] had a cool act in NXT and on the main roster I don’t get a thing out of them. I don’t think their promos are particularly good, their wrestling isn’t good. I think they even like… I think Peyton Royce’s transformation to look more attractive… I don’t know, I don’t want to say. But I don’t think that… Alvarez: That they were more attractive in NXT? Meltzer: I thought so, yes. To me, yes. I would say so. But that’s neither here nor there. Alvarez: No one’s saying she’s unattractive, by the way, everybody. Meltzer: I know, no [expletive]. Yeah, I didn’t say it at all. But she doesn’t stand out to me… when she was in NXT she did… she was a lot lighter.

The co-hosts seemed to see a potential backlash coming as each, both precautionarily (in the case of Meltzer stating “I don’t want to say…”) and immediately following Meltzer’s comments (in the case of Alvarez declaring “no one’s saying she’s unattractive…”), attempted to massage his remarks to no avail. Once Royce got wind of these comments, she lashed out at the pro wrestling historian in what quickly became a star-studded roast of Dave Meltzer.

Everybody from Renee Young to Ember Moon weighed in on Meltzer’s ill-advised rant as a series of body-shaming tweets gave way to a Twitter backlash that promptly took on a life of its own.

Credit: @PeytonRoyceWWE

What a true piece of sweltering hot garbage. You’re an angel too good for this earth. He’d be lucky if you gave him the time of day. Which you would, because you’re also a great person. Love ya girl. Let’s set better examples — Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) August 15, 2018

I’m sorry. But this makes me sick. https://t.co/2khtHFgH1A — Beth Copeland (@TheBethPhoenix) August 15, 2018

The best part of this Dave Meltzer/Peyton Royce conversation people are having that has been clearly left out… pic.twitter.com/1Q1ISygq2c — Mean Mark Smith (@podjohnnyringo) August 15, 2018

Get him gurl! You are beautiful inside and out and always have been!!! Can’t believe that was even a topic of conversation. #IICONIC pic.twitter.com/iITzzIxPVz — Ember Moon (@WWEEmberMoon) August 15, 2018

-6 stars, Dave. — Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) August 15, 2018

In a climate where scores of women’s movements are rightfully disrupting the entertainment industry, and quickly becoming a focal point of sports entertainment, Meltzer is far past the era where tasteless comments about women’s looks and boob jobs can go overlooked. This was a staple in various issues of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter—particularly when discussing former WWE Superstar Sable during the 90′s—in an unsettling series of excerpts that sounded like they were lifted from Al Bundy’s diary.

But that was then and this is now.

Despite his best efforts to do right by journalism, which he mostly does within his longstanding publication, sometimes there’s a seedy tabloid feel to the Observer, especially earlier editions that discussed women in pro wrestling. Perhaps it’s a byproduct of the carnival roots that are still palpable throughout the wrestling industry itself.

At the same time, Meltzer has historically been an ardent critic of WWE’s past presentation of women, especially when it came to infamous angles like 2001′s sleazy Trish Stratus-Vince McMahon love storyline. In an impassioned editorial, featured in the March 12, 2001 edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer referred to the angle as “incredibly disgusting.” He was also strongly outspoken about WWE’s decision to do business with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the country’s controversial policies that marginalize women.

Meltzer’s current moment in Twitter’s crosshairs presents a long-awaited opportunity for his legion of WWE-employed adversaries to pile on. A habitual thorn in the side of national wrestling promotions, Meltzer has made countless enemies trying—and even at times failing—to unearth the truth within an industry that, by design, takes liberties with it.

Meltzer deserves any criticism for his off-color remarks. And while I’d love to believe that all of his sudden infantry of critics are speaking out based on their passion for women’s rights, the reality is some might be doing so simply to take advantage of a rare opportunity to participate in open season on a man who otherwise cannot be named due to his standing as persona non grata in WWE.

Even outside WWE, longtime Meltzer opponent Eric Bischoff has lent his support to Peyton Royce in a tweet that seemed like a tongue-in-cheek nod to one of pro wrestling’s saddest feuds between two middle-aged white men since Patt Patterson battled Gerald Brisco.

Meltzer has since apologized profusely. Never one to avoid the smoke, Meltzer’s Twitter timeline is typically littered with petty arguments with everybody from adolescent wrestling fans to former WWE producer-turned-podcast-host Bruce Prichard. But over the last 48 hours, it has been overtaken by public, heartfelt remorse.

In an apology issued directly to Royce on Twitter, Meltzer stated:

I’d like to apologize to you. You are an exceedingly attractive woman. I do realize the lengths and pressures on women in the entertainment world to maintain unnatural looks at times and am glad you pointed this out. https://t.co/qkgOrpVQOX — Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) August 15, 2018

An emotional Meltzer followed up with yet another apology Wednesday evening on Wrestling Observer Radio, stating “I am completely sorry. No matter what I meant, it doesn’t matter because how I said it was wrong.”

Meltzer’s comments about Royce were admittedly foolish, but if WWE Superstars and their peers are looking for an enemy to women’s rights, they’ve got the wrong guy. In fact, Meltzer’s self-reflective, mini apology tour has convinced me that he’s undoubtedly an ally to the advancement of women.

Dave Meltzer is paying his penance, but the fight for equality between men and women goes far beyond the pages of a weekly pro wrestling newsletter and deep into dark, political crevices that no gainfully employed WWE Superstar will touch with a 60-foot kendo stick.

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