Dave Meltzer In Hot Water Over Controversial Comments About Peyton Royce

This isn’t going to go well. The IIconics, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, debuted on SmackDown Live two nights after WrestleMania 34. Their time on the main roster so far has been hit and miss with a few wins and losses but a less than well received style of promos. It’s not like the pair doesn’t have fans, but it seems that the most prominent wrestling journalist isn’t among them, and for a pretty specific reason.

Last week on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez were discussing the Iconics and how they weren’t a fan of Royce and Kay. Meltzer specifically mentioned that Royce looked “lighter” on NXT than she did on the main roster. It should be noted that Meltzer very well may have been referring to her recent breast augmentation surgery, which took place earlier this year and that he had referenced only a few seconds earlier. Whether that was what Meltzer meant or not, a host of WWE wrestlers have responded to him on Twitter.

First, here is the original discussion, courtesy of Cagesideseats.com:

Meltzer: The IIconics got boring-ed out. They’re another one. I thought they had a cool act in NXT, and on the main roster? I don’t get a thing out of them. I don’t think their promos are particularly good, their wrestling isn’t good. I think they even like – I think Peyton Royce’s transformation to look more attractive. I don’t know, I don’t want to say. But I don’t think that…

Alvarez: She was more attractive in NXT?

Meltzer: I thought so, yes. To me, yes. I would say so. But that’s neither here nor there.

Alvarez: No one’s saying she’s unattractive, by the way, everybody.

Meltzer: I know, no $#!+. Yeah, I didn’t say it at all. But I don’t think, she doesn’t stand out to me – when she was in NXT she did…

Alvarez: You know, one thing I’ve noticed about NXT is…

Meltzer: She was… she was a lot lighter…

And the reactions to the conversation, starting with Royce’s response and including one from Meltzer himself.

So what would you have me do Dave… starve myself? ??? This is how nightmares for young women start. The females in your life must be proud. https://t.co/8MNpZNsR7m

— Peyton Royce (@PeytonRoyceWWE) August 15, 2018

This is unacceptable on so many levels. How dare you say that someone is more attractive when they are ‘lighter’. You have no idea how stupid comments like this can affect someone for life.@PeytonRoyceWWE is PERFECT just the way she is. A strong & beautiful WOMAN! https://t.co/1FDakcolpf

— Billie Kay (@BillieKayWWE) August 15, 2018

I’m sorry. But this makes me sick. https://t.co/2khtHFgH1A

— Betty Phoenix (@TheBethPhoenix) August 15, 2018

What a true piece of sweltering hot garbage. You’re an angel too good for this earth. He’d be lucky if you gave him the time of day. Which you would, because you’re also a great person. Love ya girl. Let’s set better examples

— Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) August 15, 2018

I'd like to apologize to you. You are an exceedingly attractive woman. I do realize the lengths and pressures on women in the entertainment world to maintain unnatural looks at times and am glad you pointed this out. https://t.co/qkgOrpVQOX

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) August 15, 2018

There’s a way to genuinely apologize to someone and then there’s a way to pass the buck trying to redirect blame because you got called out. Own up to your words. YOU’RE the one who said them.

— Prince Pretty (@MmmGorgeous) August 15, 2018

I would love to. That's why I thanked her for the post and hope we can all learn from my mistake. But yes, it is my mistake, not passing any bucks, nor making any excuses for it. I've learned and hope others can learn from MY mistake. https://t.co/9en9ULA7Y0

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) August 15, 2018

Here’s a slightly less controversial moment from Royce.

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce attack Charlotte Flair: SmackDown LIVE, April 10, 2018

Opinion: I’m going to give Meltzer the benefit of the doubt and assume that he was referring to Royce’s plastic surgery and not suggesting that she has gained weight in the more traditional sense. That being said, the wording was still very poor and not something that the majority of people would have used. Had he just said what he meant instead of trying to skirt around it and make people think something else. It was destined to get him in hot water and I can’t say I’m surprised by (or disagree with) the reaction he received.

What do you think of Royce’s main roster tenure so far? What will she be doing next? Let us know in the comments below.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has also been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full shows covered. You can find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or check out his Amazon author page with 28 wrestling books. His latest book is the the Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews.

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