Apter/Meltzer in the WWE Hall of Fame?

[whatamaneuver]

Both have had a huge impact on the popularity of wrestling, and both have been working in the industry for decades.

Would be a bit of a left turn, but I'd kinda like to see WWE acknowledge the impact both of these guys have had.

In the '80s both were probably seen as parasites making money off wrestlers' hard work. But now the majority of wrestlers will have grown up influenced by their work, and both are now part of the wrestling furniture.

Although neither has (to my knowledge) ever been employed by the WWF/E, both have had a big impact on the company and I wouldn't be against putting them in the HOF.

[johnnybaseball, Mantaur Fan]

I don't think most of the fans would know who either of them are, but I am not opposed to it.

[andrewgilkison]

Apter maybe, because PWI magazine was kayfabed when he worked at it (not sure if it still is or not). Meltzer... not a chance.

[Trip Fisk a.k.a. Foley is Good]

Meltzer used to work with WWE back in the early 90's. Pre-steroid trial I believe.

[repomark]

I am not convinced they deserve it in truth. You say that they had a major impact on the popularity of wrestling, but I would question if that is true. The only people who would know who they are would already be wrestling fans of an obsessive enough level that they wish to seek out "insider" knowledge (esp in Meltzer's case).

They are just fans reporting on the sport they love. Therefore they have had zero impact in my view on the success of the industry, and do not deserve the recognition of the Hall of Fame in my view.

[wildojinx]

Nah, id rather see matt brock, liz hunter, and dr. sidney m basil.

[rnrk supports BLM]

That'd be like awarding Harry Knowles an Oscar.

[2CSultan]

I could see Apter getting in before Meltzer.

[Deleted]

They should just induct Larry David instead.

[Sir Woodrow]

Bill Apter for sure.

[celticjobber]

Are other sports' journalists in their respective genre's halls of fame? If so, I could see there being a case for both Meltzer and Apter.

[Sin Cara Tres]

Dec 4, 2011 19:20:10 GMT -5 whatamaneuver said:

Both have had a huge impact on the popularity of wrestling

Really? Maybe Meltzer helped like ROH or something but in no way helped WWE gain popularity.

[Andy Martin]

Nope.

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

Dec 4, 2011 20:03:59 GMT -5 celticjobber said:

Are other sports' journalists in their respective genre's halls of fame? If so, I could see there being a case for both Meltzer and Apter.

Baseball Hall of Fame inducts a writer and broadcaster every year.

[whatamaneuver]

Dec 4, 2011 20:07:59 GMT -5 Sin Cara Tres said:

Dec 4, 2011 19:20:10 GMT -5 whatamaneuver said:

Both have had a huge impact on the popularity of wrestling

Really? Maybe Meltzer helped like ROH or something but in no way helped WWE gain popularity.

Both helped publicise the business and bring it to a broader audience. Apter mags were the only wrestling magazines on sale in my (British) hometown's shops when I was growing up.

Meltzer helped smarten up a lot of the fans, and many wrestlers (including Bret Hart) give great stock to the importance of dirstheet ratings.

I'm more a fan of Meltzer and Apter, but I think they have both done a hell of a lot for wrestling.

[Andrew is Good]

I could see Apter. Dave Meltzer might get in if Benoit gets in.

[Jacob Lee]

Saying Apter and Meltzer are journalists in the same way as sports journalists is a bit of a stretch.

Apter wrote fake WWF stories back in the day because the WWF wanted to stick with their own publication. PWI (and his other mags) made pro-NWA and anti-WWF stories due to this. Regardless of if this is right or wrong is besides the point. It's just not legit journalism.

Meltzer in the last few years has improved quite a bit in regards to his MMA articles. However, there's nothing to keep wrestling journalists in a fact checking state of mind due to the limited popularity of the wrestling business. It's sometimes hilarious to read old Observers and just how far they are off course. Meltzer is simply just the best that wrestling fans can currently get as far as a wrestling reporter who has a decent amount of sources.

So no on both counts at this time.

[AdamAFL was sooooo wrong]

^Considering some of the things that so called "real" sports journalists make up, I think Apter and Meltzer are safe in that respect.

They should go in IMO. Like someone else said, they're part of the furniture.

[Jacob Lee]

Dec 4, 2011 21:21:26 GMT -5 AdamAFL was sooooo wrong said:

^Considering some of the things that so called "real" sports journalists make up, I think Apter and Meltzer are safe in that respect.

They should go in IMO. Like someone else said, they're part of the furniture.

That's a good point. I just don't understand how Apter could even be considered, but to each their own. How fake articles can be journalism is kind of weird. That would be like a sports writer winning an award for writing a fake interview that never happened.

[Red Impact]

Dec 4, 2011 20:11:46 GMT -5 Citizen Snips Has Left said:

Dec 4, 2011 20:03:59 GMT -5 celticjobber said:

Are other sports' journalists in their respective genre's halls of fame? If so, I could see there being a case for both Meltzer and Apter.

Baseball Hall of Fame inducts a writer and broadcaster every year.

One of the reasons why I don't think highly of Cooperstown.

I do not believe journalists should ever be inducted into the halls of fame of sports they cover, unless they had contributions as a player, coach, etc. At the very least, they shouldn't get in for their work covering it.

So I don't think Meltzer or Apter should get in.