Another backstage change in WWE.
Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated is reporting that Dean Malenko has quit WWE. Malenko worked as a backstage agent for the company for years.
PWInsider reports that Malenko may not have quit and that WWE is now cycling older producers off the road. WWE brought in new producers Shane Helms, Abyss, and Sonjay Dutt earlier this year. Johnson writes "there had been a fear among some that this was the start of some of the old guard being replaced." However, PWInsider later updated their report, confirming that Malenko did quit.
Malenko is best known for his run in WCW when he was one of the top cruiserweights in the division. He is a former four-time WCW Cruiserweight Champion and former two-time WWE Light Heavyweight Champion. He is widely considered as one of the best technical wrestlers of all-time and was nicknamed "The Man of 1,000 Holds." He was hired by WWE to work as a road agent shortly after his retirement.
Malenko's departure is just the latest shake-up backstage in WWE. Back in February, WWE made a big change by firing producer Arn Anderson after nearly two decades in the company. Shortly after his firing, WWE brought back Bruce Prichard to be part of the creative team. Earlier this month, Road Dogg stepped down as the head writer of SmackDown, a position he had held for two years. Road Dogg is reportedly taking time away from the company, but remains part of WWE.
Fightful will provide more information on Malenko's departure as it becomes available.
