In 2018, Australian wrestler Peyton Royce moved from the NXT wrestling developmental brand onto the WWE main roster. This is normally is a joyous occasion until a member of the pro wrestling media had insensitive words for her small time in the spotlight.
Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer was on the Wrestling Observer podcast and offered this spicy take with co-host Bryan Alvarez and said some insensitive comments around Royce’s ascension.
Wrestling journalist sorry after criticism of WWE star’s appearance
Australian wrestler Peyton Royce moved from NXT to the main WWE roster in April. Speaking on a podcast, journalist Dave Meltzer said that he thought Royce looked more attractive in NXT … and that she “was a lot lighter.” Meltzer has since said sorry.
Meltzer said that he thought Royce “looked more attractive in NXT” and that she “was a lot lighter.”
WWE Superstars react To Dave Meltzer Body Shaming Peyton Royce
Uploaded by Sound of Wrestling on 2018-08-16.
WWE Superstars react To Dave Meltzer Body Shaming Peyton Royce
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It opens the door to the hidden biases where sex appeal trumps athleticism. Wrestling is more entertainment than sport and is definitely considered more of a male version of a soap opera for it’s over the top storyline and dramatics. However, with women like Stephanie McMahon in a position of power for the industry, it is curious to peel back the curtain of one of its biggest observers and reveal a world past the hype appeal of the WWE events themselves.
Wrestling journalist sorry after criticism of WWE star’s appearance
Australian wrestler Peyton Royce moved from NXT to the main WWE roster in April. Speaking on a podcast, journalist Dave Meltzer said that he thought Royce looked more attractive in NXT … and that she “was a lot lighter.” Meltzer has since said sorry.
Mixed martial arts is a powerhouse now globally and there was once a time when UFC President Dana White said that he could never envision a woman competing in the Octagon. Then came Ronda Rousey, who shattered the glass ceiling in women’s MMA and expanded the financial opportunities for women martial artists.
The impact of Rousey, and Gina Carano before her, is immeasurable but when you see women of all sexual preferences and lifestyles jumping in the cage and making a living as a professional athlete first, where becoming eye candy isn’t expected.
Of course, Rousey and Carano were celebrated in the cage for their beauty as well as their ferocity, but the beauty was always an understated second to their in-cage prowess. Professional wrestling has certainly made strides, but sexist comments from Meltzer, show the exact inverse and are a reminder that we have so far to go.
