I was responding to whodat saying 80 stages makes Smash too complex.
As for that meme, I got some laughs out of it when it hit the scene, but it really is pretty dumb.
Anyone is free to choose any character*. Hungrybox got second at EVO this year with mid-tier Jigglypuff. Fox is just easier for competitive players to start with (which ironically twists the meme - scrubs default to Fox.) Not saying he doesn't have depth or he's not the best character (I wouldn't know), but the reason the masses choose Fox should be pretty self-evident.
Anyone is free to choose any of the non-Final Destination legal starter stages (Yoshi's Story, Fountain of Dreams, Battlefield, and Dream Land.) Pokemon Stadium is an additional legal counterpick stage. Many characters are at a disadvantage on Final Destination.
No items is, whatever. They've been illegal in competitive tourneys for over ten years and it's not a decision that's ever been revisited for a reason. When playing with family/friends/casuals, hell yes I crank on the items. Should they be in EVO or any other serious competition? No.
*Except Pichu. Fuck Pichu.