H Jenkins on November 9, 2024
Dave Meltzer has been a key figure in wrestling journalism for decades. Since 1983, he has published and edited the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which was widely regarded as a top source for pro wrestling news. He was heavily featured in the Netflix Mr. McMahon docuseries for a reason. However, in recent years, Meltzer’s reporting and sources have faced increased scrutiny, criticism and controversy, with a few recent missteps putting his credibility in question in a bad way.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported on Dutch Mantell’s GoFundMe, and how Tony Khan donated in a big way. Chris Jericho also chipped in a lot of money, but then things took a turn.
Dutch Mantell has a podcast, where he has spoken about AEW in the past. Meltzer took this opportunity to place a spotlight on that, and many viewed it as a distasteful decision.
“They had raised $64,200 with most of the top donors being anonymous and the largest known donors were Tony Khan at 1$5,000 and Chris Jericho at $1,500. With Khan, many have pointed out that Mantel as a podcaster was brutal to Khan, even being critical of him when the promotion was at its popularity peak, and recently criticized him for the contract terms Swerve Strickland got in his recent deal.”
“It is something when a former wrestler gets mad at a promoter who clearly can afford it for what he pays the top talent. And he was doing it after he knew the new deal was put together that was going to make the company exceedingly profitable. Wrestlers using the old school “he doesn’t draw money,” and not understanding that this isn’t a mom-and-pop week-to-week business based on live event numbers but one that in a worst-case scenario year would generate $250 million next year. And that most of that revenue is guaranteed ahead of time“
Those comments from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter brought a lot of backlash. Many dragged Meltzer for pivoting so fast from a story about Dutch Mantell’s health issues to that kind of a different direction, one that was almost critical of him. Many commented online, and they also reached out to speak their mind to those close to Dutch.
Dutch Mantell’s co-host James posted a video response, and he wasn’t happy. While James said that “it’s always fun” to see Dave Meltzer “tank his credibility in real time,” this time he went too far.
James went into Dave Meltzer for his sloppy journalism, and he called him out on many different fronts. James also called on Tony Khan to completely distance himself from Dave Meltzer, because at this point it is only damaging the AEW brand.
“I’m not, I’m done with this but using Dutch Mantell’s terrible health issues to score points in your own mind to further grind the axe it’s just the most pathetic weasly just sad sorry state of affairs where you’ve got to turn the human kindness of people donating to Dutch for a good cause which is basically his health and just how many people like him to the point that they’re willing to give him a bit of money to help with his dire financial needs is just it’s so pathetic.”
“And here’s some free advice for Tony Khan if he wants it. He needs to cut off Davemelzer completely don’t talk to him anymore just tell him to stop being such a cheerleader for a because the it’s it’s counterproductive for the company it really is.”
We will have to see if Dave Meltzer comments on this issue. This video received around 17,000 views in a couple of hours, so fans are obviously aware of the situation. Now, the ball is in Dave Meltzer’s court.
This is not the only controversy that Meltzer has been involved with in recent memory. His reporting has consistently been criticized by fans, and now it appears he is getting some more legitimate heat from within the inner pro wrestling circles.
What do you think about Dave Meltzer’s remarks in his newsletter in regards to Dutch Mantell? Sound off in the comment section below.
November 9, 2024 12:38 pm
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