History Wrestling / DeanMalenko

* ArchEnemy: Eddie Guerrero, [[Wrestling/TooColdScorpio 2 Cold Scorpio]], Wrestling/ChrisJericho, [[Wrestling/MattHardy the]] [[Wrestling/JeffHardy Hardys]], Wrestling/{{Lita}}.

* BashBrothers: Joe Malenko, Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, Eddie Guerrero

* HeterosexualLifePartners: He was a three-way example with Wrestling/EddieGuerrero and Wrestling/ChrisBenoit, though the two were closer to each other than they were to him.

As usual, you can find the basics at [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Malenko The Other Wiki]].

* RetiredBadass: Currently works as a road agent for WWE.

* HandsomeLech

* [[WildCard [=Tweener=]]]: This was very much his orientation until he returned for the Jericho feud, when he became a full-blown {{Face}}. He was able to be an effective heel in 2000 in WWE, though.
* {{Unrelated Brother|s}}: To Debbie Malenko, aka Debbie Drake, real name Debbie Killian.

* TheUnfavorite: Wrestling/KarlGotch compares his skills unfavorably to his brother Joe.

* WouldHitAGirl: Put Lita in the Texas Cloverleaf.
** IWasBeatenByAGirl: Two of them, in fact. Wrestling/{{Jacqueline}} and Wrestling/{{Ivory}} defeated him in a non-title handicap match on the July 6 (taped July 4), 2000 ''[=SmackDown!=]'' after Crash Holly interfered and held down Malenko's foot during the cover.

[[quoteright:231:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/deanmalenko_3903.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:231:After winning the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-c.html WCW World Cruiserweight Championship]] via an ImpersonationGambit at ''WCW [=Slamboree=] 98''.]]

-->--'''Mike Tenay''', following Malenko's unmasking.

Dean Simon (born August 4, 1960 in Irvington, UsefulNotes/NewJersey) is a retired American [[ProfessionalWrestling professional wrestler]], trainer and official best known for his work for Wrestling/{{ECW}}, Wrestling/{{WCW}} and Wrestling/{{WWE}} as '''Dean Malenko'''. He started his career in 1979 in UsefulNotes/{{Florida}} allied with his father Boris and brother Joe. They had actually broken away from the established Championship Wrestling from Florida to form their own outlaw (runs in the same geographical area as an established territory in opposition) promotion called Sun Belt Wrestling, which did not last very long. He and Joe competed around the Florida independent scene as well as in Japan and in WCW before Joe retired. Malenko became a regular in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling's rising Junior Heavyweight scene, often facing and/or teaming with Wrestling/ChrisBenoit, who was usually known as either Wild Pegasus or the Pegasus Kid, or Wrestling/EddieGuerrero, often known as Black Tiger #2. Malenko went to ECW in 1994, where he would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-tv.html ECW World Television Title]] twice and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-t.html ECW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. Malenko continued his feud with Guerrero after he arrived in early 1995. All three went to WCW in the fall of 1995, with ECW announcer Wrestling/JoeyStyles explaining it as being due to something in their contracts with New Japan, which had a working relationship with WCW. In WCW, Malenko would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html WCW United States Heavyweight Title]] once, the WCW World Cruiserweight Title four times and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html WCW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. He made his [=PPV=] debut successfully defending the WCW World Cruiserweight Title against fellow second-generation wrestler Wrestling/BradArmstrong at ''WCW [=Slamboree=] 96''. All three along with Wrestling/PerrySaturn jumped to WWE at the start of 2000. Malenko would have two runs with the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/uwa/wwf-lh.html WWF World Light Heavyweight Title]] and would retire from full-time competition in 2001.

* CasanovaWannabe[=/=]CaptainErsatz: In his "Franchise/JamesBond" "Ladies' Man" gimmick in WWE in 2000-2001. His teammates Tazz and Perry Saturn helped feed his ego, the latter claiming Dean had more women than the Pope had Catholics.

* ImpersonationGambit: After failing to defeat Jericho for the Cruiserweight Title at ''WCW Uncensored 98'', March 15, 1998, he told interviewer "Mean" Gene Okerlund that he was going "home." This led to Jericho cutting hilarious promos mocking Malenko for ''months,'' including the "1004 Holds" one. At ''Slamboree'', May 17, there was a Cruiserweight Battle Royal[[note]]Which featured Jericho's [[http://www.cagematch.net/?id=93&nr=98 classic sarcastic intros]][[/note]] where the winner would get a shot at Jericho's title. It came down to Juventud Guerrera, who was a former Champion, and "Ciclope."[[note]]While the actual Ciclope was successful in Mexico, he was a lower-tier luchador at the time in WCW.[[/note]] Juvy eliminated ''himself'', giving "Ciclope" the win, and "Ciclope" unmasked to reveal Malenko. Malenko then proceeded to beat the heck out of Jericho as revenge for everything Jericho had said about him and his family (including bringing out a guy named "Bore-Us Malenko") and ultimately won the title. In the post-match interview, Malenko dedicated the win to his father.

In May 2019, he became a producer for Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling. He made a minor appearance in front of the cameras as one of the three judges appointed for the Championship match between Wrestling/CodyRhodes and his old enemy Wrestling/ChrisJericho at ''Full Gear.''

* FinishingMove: Tiger Driver, Texas Cloverleaf

* DemotedToExtra: During the Wrestling/{{n|ewWorldorder}}Wo takeover, Larry Zbyszko and Wrestling/TonySchiavone said that Dean Malenko didn't matter because he was a cruiserweight and that Wrestling/WilliamRegal was the last champion in WCW.

In May 2019, he became a producer for Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling.

Dean Simon (born August 4, 1960 in Irvington, UsefulNotes/NewJersey) is a retired American [[ProfessionalWrestling professional wrestler]], trainer and official best known for his work for Wrestling/{{ECW}}, Wrestling/{{WCW}} and Wrestling/{{WWE}} as '''Dean Malenko'''. He started his career in 1979 in UsefulNotes/{{Florida}} allied with his father Boris and brother Joe. They had actually broken away from the established Championship Wrestling from Florida to form their own outlaw (runs in the same geographical area as an established territory in opposition) promotion called Sun Belt Wrestling, which did not last very long. He and Joe competed around the Florida independent scene as well as in Japan and in WCW before Joe retired. Malenko became a regular in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling's rising Junior Heavyweight scene, often facing and/or teaming with Wrestling/ChrisBenoit, who was usually known as either Wild Pegasus or the Pegasus Kid, or Wrestling/EddieGuerrero, often known as Black Tiger #2. Malenko went to ECW in 1994, where he would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-tv.html ECW World Television Title]] twice and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-t.html ECW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. Malenko continued his feud with Guerrero after he arrived in early 1995. All three went to WCW in the fall of 1995, with ECW announcer Wrestling/JoeyStyles explaining it as being due to something in their contracts with New Japan, which had a working relationship with WCW. In WCW, Malenko would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html WCW United States Heavyweight Title]] once, the WCW World Cruiserweight Title four times and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html WCW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. He made his [=PPV=] debut successfully defending the WCW World Cruiserweight Title against fellow second-generation wrestler Brad Armstrong at ''WCW [=Slamboree=] 96''. All three along with Wrestling/PerrySaturn jumped to WWE at the start of 2000. Malenko would have two runs with the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/uwa/wwf-lh.html WWF World Light Heavyweight Title]] and would retire from full-time competition in 2001.

!!! "The Man of 1000 Tropes":

'''Shelly Dean Simon''' (b. 1960 in Irvington, UsefulNotes/NewJersey) is a retired American [[ProfessionalWrestling professional wrestler]], trainer and official best known for his work for Wrestling/{{ECW}}, Wrestling/{{WCW}} and Wrestling/{{WWE}} as '''Dean Malenko'''. He started his career in 1979 in UsefulNotes/{{Florida}} allied with his father Boris and brother Joe. They had actually broken away from the established Championship Wrestling from Florida to form their own outlaw (runs in the same geographical area as an established territory in opposition) promotion called Sun Belt Wrestling, which did not last very long. He and Joe competed around the Florida independent scene as well as in Japan and in WCW before Joe retired. Malenko became a regular in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling's rising Junior Heavyweight scene, often facing and/or teaming with Wrestling/ChrisBenoit, who was usually known as either Wild Pegasus or the Pegasus Kid, or Wrestling/EddieGuerrero, often known as Black Tiger #2. Malenko went to ECW in 1994, where he would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-tv.html ECW World Television Title]] twice and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-t.html ECW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. Malenko continued his feud with Guerrero after he arrived in early 1995. All three went to WCW in the fall of 1995, with ECW announcer Wrestling/JoeyStyles explaining it as being due to something in their contracts with New Japan, which had a working relationship with WCW. In WCW, Malenko would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html WCW United States Heavyweight Title]] once, the WCW World Cruiserweight Title four times and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html WCW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. He made his [=PPV=] debut successfully defending the WCW World Cruiserweight Title against fellow second-generation wrestler Brad Armstrong at ''WCW [=Slamboree=] 96''. All three along with Wrestling/PerrySaturn jumped to WWE at the start of 2000. Malenko would have two runs with the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/uwa/wwf-lh.html WWF World Light Heavyweight Title]] and would retire from full-time competition in 2001.

'''Shelly Dean Simon''' (b. 1960 in Irvington, UsefulNotes/NewJersey) is a retired American [[ProfessionalWrestling professional wrestler]], trainer and official best known for his work for Wrestling/{{ECW}}, Wrestling/{{WCW}} and Wrestling/{{WWE}} as '''Dean Malenko.''' He started his career in 1979 in UsefulNotes/{{Florida}} allied with his father Boris and brother Joe. They had actually broken away from the established Championship Wrestling from Florida to form their own outlaw (runs in the same geographical area as an established territory in opposition) promotion called Sun Belt Wrestling, which did not last very long. He and Joe competed around the Florida independent scene as well as in Japan and in WCW before Joe retired. Malenko became a regular in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling's rising Junior Heavyweight scene, often facing and/or teaming with Wrestling/ChrisBenoit, who was usually known as either Wild Pegasus or the Pegasus Kid, or Wrestling/EddieGuerrero, often known as Black Tiger #2. Malenko went to ECW in 1994, where he would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-tv.html ECW World Television Title]] twice and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ecw/ecw-t.html ECW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. Malenko continued his feud with Guerrero after he arrived in early 1995. All three went to WCW in the fall of 1995, with ECW announcer Wrestling/JoeyStyles explaining it as being due to something in their contracts with New Japan, which had a working relationship with WCW. In WCW, Malenko would go on to hold the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html WCW United States Heavyweight Title]] once, the WCW World Cruiserweight Title four times and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html WCW World Tag Team Titles]] once with Benoit. He made his [=PPV=] debut successfully defending the WCW World Cruiserweight Title against fellow second-generation wrestler Brad Armstrong at ''WCW [=Slamboree=] 96''. All three along with Wrestling/PerrySaturn jumped to WWE at the start of 2000. Malenko would have two runs with the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/uwa/wwf-lh.html WWF World Light Heavyweight Title]] and would retire from full-time competition in 2001.

As usual, you can find the basics at [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Malenko The Other Wiki]].

** (in WWE): The Radicals, with Benoit, Saturn, Guerrero and [[Characters/WWEDivas Terri Runnels]].
* RealSongThemeTune: In ECW:
** Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue's "Whatta Man"
** Music/DeepPurple's "Perfect Strangers"

* DemotedToExtra: During the Wrestling/{{n|ewWorldorder}}Wo takeover, Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone said that Dean Malenko didn't matter because he was a cruiserweight and that Wrestling/WilliamRegal was the last champion in WCW.

* BadassTeacher: His trainees include Wrestling/MollyHolly (at his wrestling school in Florida), [[Wrestling/TheWorldsGreatestTagTeam Shelton Benjamin]] and Wrestling/BrockLesnar (both in OVW).

* {{Badass}}
** BadassFamily[=/=]WrestlingFamily
** BadassIsraeli: One of the more recognizable Jews in wrestling over the past 30 years.
** BadassNormal: Not known for strength or aerial ability, but ''very'' well-regarded for his technical skills.
** BadassTeacher: His trainees include Wrestling/MollyHolly (at his wrestling school in Florida), [[Wrestling/TheWorldsGreatestTagTeam Shelton Benjamin]] and Wrestling/BrockLesnar (both in OVW).
** RetiredBadass: Currently works as a road agent for WWE.
*** {{Determinator}}: It was reported on November 22, 2010 that he had suffered a heart attack but he was back to work within ''days.''

-->"''HesBack!''"
-->--'''Mike Tenay''', following Malenko's unmasking.

[[caption-width-right:231:After winning the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-c.html WCW World Cruiserweight Title]] via an ImpersonationGambit at ''WCW [=Slamboree=] 98''.]]

* FanNickname: The trio of Benoit, Malenko and Guerrero were referred to as "The Holy Trinity" or "The New Japan 3."
** MaliciousMisnaming: Jericho would refer to him as "Deano Machino" (which isn't bad) and "Stinko Malenko" (which is.)

* CasanovaWannabe[=/=]CaptainErsatz: In his "Franchise/JamesBond" "Ladies' Man" gimmick in WWE in 2000-2001.

** (in ECW) The Triple Threat, with Shane Douglas and Benoit

* GenreBlindness: Subverted during the Benoit[=/=]Malenko vs. Wrestling/{{Raven}}[=/=]Perry Saturn vs. WCW World Tag Team Champions Wrestling/ReyMysterioJr[=/=]Kidman match at ''WCW Slamboree 99'', when Malenko was able to powerbomb Kidman.

** (in WCW) The Four Horsemen, with Wrestling/RicFlair, Benoit, Steve "Mongo" [=McMichael=] and Arn Anderson as manager.