For better or for worse, Dave Meltzer’s notorious star ratings are always a topic up for debate and it’s something Meltzer can’t believe people take so seriously.
On a recent Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer spoke with Bryan Alvarez about the backlash he tends to get for his ratings of matches. He states just because there’s a slight “star” difference in between two great matches doesn’t mean he doesn’t hold either in high regard.
“People who get mad at a quarter star in a match from 30 years ago or 15 years ago or last week is so stupid. It means we f***king agree… The funny part about the whole thing is the only match anyone ever brings up with Kurt [Angle] is the [Chris Benoit] match. ‘You could give that five stars.’ I gave it four and three-quarters.”
Dave Meltzer: ‘It’s Not About Five-Star Matches’
While Meltzer makes his case, others take exception to the pro wrestling journalist changing his star-rating level from “five” to “six.” He just gave Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay II a full six stars, something a WWE Hall Of Famer in Kurt Angle was never given.
“I don’t know if Kurt ever won a match of the year, and that’s the deal. That doesn’t mean Kurt’s not a fantastic wrestler if he never won a match of the year. He got all kinds of matches that have been highly rated throughout his career. It’s not about five-star matches. If you’re gonna do that you can count up four-star matches, and Kurt had a whale number of four-star matches.”
H/t to Wrestling Inc.