Debunking Dave Meltzer’s Tweet About Chris Charlton
On January 6th, Dave Meltzer tweeted: “Chris Charlton is on an indefinite hiatus from commentary due to his anti-AEW comments during the Dynasty Show.” This claim is both baseless and misleading. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why Meltzer’s reporting falls apart.
NJPW’s Transparent Communication Practices
If an incident like this were true, NJPW would have issued an official statement. New Japan Pro Wrestling is known for transparency and commitment to keeping fans informed. For example:
Health Updates: When a wrestler develops a fever, NJPW promptly issues a press release featuring their lion logo, updates the match card, and apologizes to fans.
Leadership Changes: When former NJPW President Takami Ohbari stepped down and Hiroshi Tanahashi took over, NJPW announced this with an official press release.
Such practices ensure credibility and maintain trust with fans. However, in this case, no press release or official acknowledgment from NJPW supports Meltzer’s claim. This glaring omission undermines the validity of his statement.
Parallels with the CM Punk/Elite Drama
Meltzer’s unverified claims echo the chaos surrounding when we observed the CM Punk/Elite fallout. Just like the Charlton situation, in a world where everyone has a smartphone and is videotaping everything, there was no video or concrete evidence to support such claims. Video footage was able to be captured when Gabe Kidd and Kenny Omega fought backstage, and it was conveniently "given" to dirt sheets as a drama segment. Yet, similar evidence is conspicuously absent for either of these drama events. This type of speculative reporting fuels division and toxicity within the wrestling community, benefiting those who thrive on misinformation. Fans deserve better than half-truths and conjecture disguised as journalism.
Chris Charlton’s Role in NJPW Commentary
Chris Charlton is not just a commentator; he wears multiple hats within NJPW, including office work and translation duties. He only appears on commentary during Tokyo and surrounding area events. If NJPW is touring far, such as heading to Sendai, Chris Charlton will be absent from commentary, marking his continued exclusion from NJPW events.
For instance, at New Year Dash!! on January 6th, Charlton’s absence was unsurprising given the event’s location is in Ota Ward, which is a 17-minute ride from the NJPW offices. However, due to Monday being a corporate workday, Charlton was likely called back to the office for his administrative duties. Twitter streets mentioned that Rocky Romero and Walker Stewart filled in, a standard practice when commentary adjustments are needed.
Charlton’s Alleged Anti-AEW Comments
The notion that Charlton is being silenced for “anti-AEW” comments misrepresent his role as a commentator. Wrestling commentators are integral to storytelling, often echoing wrestlers’ sentiments to enhance narratives. Charlton’s remarks about Tony Khan and AEW align with public comments from NJPW wrestlers such as Tsuji, Naito, Gabe Kidd, and Jeff Cobb, who have all expressed dissatisfaction with the NJPW-AEW partnership. For instance:
Tony Khan signed Jay White, Kyle Fletcher, and Will Ospreay, often prioritizing AEW’s interests over NJPW.
Will Ospreay signed his AEW contract in the middle of an AEW ring while still under NJPW contract, a move seen as disrespectful.
Charlton’s commentary reflects these frustrations rather than creating "controversy."
Questions of Double Standards
If Charlton’s comments warrant an “indefinite hiatus,” why hasn’t similar action been taken against other outspoken individuals? AEW has a history of selective enforcement:
Jake Hager faced backlash for his comments, quickly deleted the tweets, and remained quiet. AEW or Tony Khan has yet to give further explanation.
Ricky Starks was pulled from GCW appearances due to a combination of him being on a live mic and fans blaming comments from a podcast while Chris Jericho was allowed to work with GCW to promote an AEW-ROH storyline.
This pattern raises questions about fairness and transparency in AEW’s dealings.
Wrestle Dynasty and Attendance Concerns
Another factor worth considering is the poor attendance at Wrestle Dynasty. The event drew 16,300 attendees compared to Wrestle Kingdom’s 24,107. Kidani, the CEO of Bushiroad, expressed disappointment, suggesting the timing of Wrestle Dynasty was a misstep. Meltzer’s tweet may have conveniently shift attention from this issue, raising the possibility of deflecting criticism.
Tony Khan’s Absence from Wrestle Dynasty
Finally, Tony Khan’s absence from Wrestle Dynasty, as the Twitter streets tell us, is another point of contention. Despite the event being a collaborative effort between NJPW, AEW, ROH, Stardom, and CMLL, Khan’s no-show reflects poorly on the partnership. Respect and support are crucial in such alliances, and his absence sends a troubling message.
Conclusion
Dave Meltzer’s tweet about Chris Charlton lacks credibility and context. NJPW’s transparent practices, Charlton’s multifaceted role, and the broader context of NJPW’s relationship with AEW all contradict the narrative being pushed with the dirt sheets and gossipers. Wrestling fans deserve reporting grounded in fact, not conjecture that fuels division and distracts from real issues.
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