Wrestling journalism

[RedRooster 84]

So yesterday morning I woke up and checked Twitter, as you do, and saw a report from Meltzer claiming that WWE was in talks to buy Fite TV.

I hummed and hawed about whether to create a thread or place it in minor news, mainly because I didn’t trust it. In the end I did neither, Fite denied it was true and that was that.

I used the bite on every word that Meltzer said and treat the Observer like the gospel truth. These days though I feel cynical about almost everything he says. Social media and wrestler/personality led podcasts (yes, I realise they have their own agendas) have helped expose Meltzer’s reporting as being rather hit-and-miss, certainly far more than I’d previously believed anyway. 

And that (finally) leads me to my question. What’s your opinion on wrestling journalism? Do you trust it? Who, if anyone, do you put stock in? Has your opinion changed in recent years and if so, what caused it?

[TheToeSucker 82]

I like Meltzer, he's not always accurate, but who is?

[hallicks 534]

Da Meltz is privy to quite a bit of news before it becomes official. The observer mentioned something about talks being lined up at some point. If there is truth to it, they can't very well come out and say "yeah, man" 

[Louch 199]

Check out any reporting on sport and entertainment. I doubt he’s any worse than then types who report on transfers through a summer 

[TheToeSucker 82]

He's not. But people shit on him because he's not a mind reader or predicts everything correctly every single time.

[RedRooster 84]

1 hour ago, hallicks said:

Da Meltz is privy to quite a bit of news before it becomes official. The observer mentioned something about talks being lined up at some point. If there is truth to it, they can't very well come out and say "yeah, man" 

Companies don’t usually comment if there’s truth in something. It’s usually a case of silence being damning.

That’s not to say that there’s not an utter disconnect between whoever handles their social media/PR and higher ups, but it’s certainly unusual for that to happen.

Having said all if that, I’m talking about wrestling journalism in a wider sense and what people think about it as opposed to this specific story, or even Dave Meltzer specifically. 

Edited August 10 by RedRooster

[Keith Houchen 8,235]

Lots of Meltz chat here

 

 

Wrestling journalism can decent when it's historical.  When looking back, it can be informative but regarding speculation it's shite as there is always the plans change defence.  

[SuperBacon 1,997]

RIP SpursRiot 

[Pier Six Brawler 46]

I think Meltzer comes across terribly on Twitter and not that well on his radio shows sometimes when he just talks over people. His view was more respected when all you knew of him was from reading the newsletter.

[mim731 657]

I have a few I tend to trust as reliable, legitimate journalists, with John Pollock of Post Wrestling at the top. Himself and Wai Ting may not be to everyone's taste for podcasts but Pollock is great at providing sources and acting like an actual trained journo rather than some bloke who happens to be connected who runs a newsletter, when reporting news.

[CTXRussomark 81]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone speak negatively about John and Wai. They really are right up at the top, particularly John from a journalistic perspective. 

[Mr Butternut Squash 230]

I like John Pollock's work, the Post Wrestling hangouts cover interesting ground and the guy has a clear head on his shoulders. Also enjoy the reviews that him and Wai Ting do. Listening to them chat WWE feels like a better use of my time than watching the shows these days. Love Wai's soft, sing-song voice too.

Dave is Dave. Great reading his historical stuff. Great numbers, bios, knowledge of territories and all that good stuff. His taste in wrestling stinks and has got worse over the years, but it is what it is. Best thing about Meltz though is his awkwardness. I dunno if he's genuinely autistic or simply a massively socially unaware wrestling nerd, but I love him repeatedly digging himself into holes, both on his podcast and twitter. Entertains the fuck outta me. He's perfect fuel for Twitter outrage. Meltz turning into Dr Dave and trying to be the authority on Roman's leukaemia diagnosis was a classic, as was him putting his foot in his mouth with the whole "Peyton Royce used to be . . . lighter" stuff. A legend and prize plonker.

 

[Yakashi 256]

Meltzer relies mostly on third hand information from people in a business known for its lies and self serving inhabitants. He gets told what people want him to get told. Most of the time it’s right. Sometimes it isn’t. Absolute cunt on twitter though. 

[Keith Houchen 8,235]

2 hours ago, mim731 said:

Wai Ting

Really?  Sounds like someone Vince has given a gimmick of serving your food in a busy Chinese restaurant.