Huge update on AEW name after health battle; dubbed as a "new man" - Reports

An AEW personality who faced severe health issues last year is reportedly recovering well. The name in question is none other than Dean Malenko.

The WCW veteran signed with AEW in 2019 as a coach and is also the Senior Producer in the promotion. Malenko has been vocal about his battle with Parkinson's disease and recently went under surgery. The fans noticed his voice at last night's AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts where the veteran narrated the hype package for the brutal match.

According to a recent report by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, many backstage in AEW have noticed an improvement in Dean Malenko's condition and was labeled as a 'new man' following his successful surgery.

“Dean Malenko narrated the main event video package. He had surgery last year to help with his Parkinson’s, and many we’ve spoken to said he was like ‘a new man.’ He’s widely adored backstage and known for his sense of humor.” -Fightful

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Konnan names Dean Malenko as one of the stars he would replace Tony Khan with in AEW

AEW CEO Tony Khan has spoken about potentially stepping down from his position and stated that he can't work at a higher level forever. Khan has surrounded himself with talented names in his creative team like Dean Malenko, Sonjay Dutt, Bryan Danielson, and more.

Speaking on his Keepin' It 100 podcast, Konnan named Dean Malenko and Jimmy Jacobs as some of the names that could take over Khan's position as the booker of All Elite Wrestling.

"I would just put a committee of Jimmy Jacobs, Sonjay, Jeff [Jarrett], who else is back there, maybe Dean Malenko. Just put a good committee. Those guys, they have been around, they know what's going on. I wouldn't have any wrestlers in there. And if the top guys have a good idea, listen to them and if it's a good idea, use it. But I don't think he's ever gonna give up that mantle. It's his baby, he likes being head of creative, he likes booking everything, he likes being the full-hand, analyst guy, the Jacksonville Jaguar draft guy, he likes all that," Konnan said. (00:51 - 01:34)

Tony Khan currently oversees all of the creative in All Elite Wrestling. It will be interesting to see if Khan ever gets replaced as the booker of the Jacksonville-based promotion.