12 BRUTAL Wrestling Ribs That Made It To Live TV

8. A Dirty Trick On Little Davey Meltzer

Little Davey Meltzer
UWF

“Dirtsheet” pioneer and Wrestling Observer Newsletter publisher Dave Meltzer “enjoys” the distinction of being ribbed on no fewer than three pro wrestling broadcasts.

At WCW World War 3 ‘95, Hulk Hogan held up a dirtsheet before setting it ablaze. He said “Observe this, brother!”

He said this because he took exception to Meltzer’s reporting. Hogan disagreed that Randy Savage’s bicep was injured, even though A) one of Savage’s biceps was smaller than the other, B) Savage sold the bicep in his match that night, and C) Savage was injured.

Also: Hogan burned a copy of the Pro Wrestling Torch.

In NXT, Andre Chase berated a “reporter” that was purported to be Meltzer during a press conference angle. “Was that a five star question?” Andre asked, before saying he’d picture Dave’s “smug” face the next time he punched Von Wagner. It’s as longstanding a pro wrestling tradition as the soft hand shake, or denying a news report that inevitably turns out to be the truth. Mickie James was even at it over 2025 WrestleMania Weekend.

This happened to Dave because he was the first and most prominent person to expose the secretive goings-on in the industry. The industry, which frankly deserved it, did not take too kindly to journalism. Wrestling and the truth go together like Triple H and long matches at WrestleMania.

Infamous promoter Herb Abrams, who took his very life too far, went one step further. He ribbed Uncle Dave on his dire UWF show by featuring a character called - and this is brilliantly petty - “Little Davey Meltzer”. Little Davey’s role was to get destroyed by Dr. Death Steve Williams, who threw dirt at him.

Get it?

Still: funnier than the 2006 D-Generation X reunion.

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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!