10 Iconic Wrestling Gimmicks You Didn't Know Were STOLEN

2. Dave Meltzer

The Undertaker and... some guy
UWF

Pro wrestling has a strange and invariably unproductive history with parodying the wrestling media.

In WCW, in front of nonplussed fans, Hulk Hogan burned a copy of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter on pay-per-view in retaliation for...Dave Meltzer correctly reporting that Randy Savage was carrying an arm injury and that he would nonetheless win the titular World War 1995 match. In NXT, Andre Chase at a worked press conference was asked a question by "Dave". Chase asked if it was a "five star question" and said he'd imagine "Dave's" "smug" face whenever he punched his opponent. Even in AEW, a a critically revered show, QT Marshall is doing 'QTV', which is a paranoid and unfunny bit about how journos enjoy "ruining wrestler's careers". The irony is palpable.

None of these promotions got there first, because Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation went as far as to debut a rotund hapless jobber who went by the quite brilliantly patronising name of 'Little Davey Meltzer'. Incredibly, Abrams managed to get Bruno Sammartino on board to commentate on his loss to Steve Williams, but Bruno refused to sell the bit.

Meltzer has an incredible business mind, is a profoundly knowledgeable historian, and writes inch-perfect obituaries - but Herb could have got more out of the parody.

Little Davey should have cut a 10 minute promo comprised only of the words "Like, you know, so here's the thing".

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!