16 Facts About Dave Meltzer

David Allen Meltzer was born on October 24,1959 and is an American journalist who reports on professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.

Since 1983, Dave Meltzer has been the publisher and editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a dirtsheet primarily addressing professional wrestling.

Dave Meltzer has extensively covered mixed martial arts since UFC 1 in 1993 and covers the sport for SB Nation.

Dave Meltzer has been called "the most accomplished reporter in sports journalism" by Frank Deford of Sports Illustrated.

Dave Meltzer was born in upstate New York to a Jewish family.

Dave Meltzer later moved with his family to San Jose, California.

Dave Meltzer earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University and started out as a sportswriter for the Wichita Falls Times Record News and the Turlock Journal.

Dave Meltzer demonstrated an interest in professional wrestling and a journalistic approach to it early in life.

Dave Meltzer wrote several wrestling-related publications that predate WON, dating back to 1971.

The beginnings of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter date back to 1980, when Dave Meltzer began an annual poll amongst those with whom he corresponded regarding professional wrestling.

Dave Meltzer stated that he wanted to keep his friends in college "in the loop" for his tape trading and the happenings in the business, as the mainstream wrestling magazines catered to a somewhat younger demographic.

Will Ospreay has noted the positive impact a 5 star or greater rating from Dave Meltzer had on his career.

Dave Meltzer himself has stated that his star system is "the least important" work he undertakes and has said that wrestlers and fans place far more importance on the star ratings than he does.

Nevertheless, Dave Meltzer's ratings are frequently are hot topic within the world of professional wrestling, and were so particularly in the late 2010s following the awarding of six stars to the Omega vs Okada match at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in 2017.

Dave Meltzer's reputation is divisive; his work is generally praised amongst journalists, scholars and historians.

In May 2015, Dave Meltzer reported that Destination America had decided to cancel Impact Wrestling by late September 2015.