10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Sept 21)

7. Vince McMahon Didn't Get That Simon Dean Was A Rib

Dean Malenko, master technician that he was, never got a fair shake in WWE. Despite falling off screen by the summer of 2001, Malenko's legacy lived on through the most unlikely of circumstances. His real name, Dean Simon, was used as inspiration for fitness guru Simon Dean.

Vince McMahon, bless him, didn't get the gag.

Bruce Prichard told this story on his Something To Wrestle With show, and said that McMahon wanted quick suggestions for the character's name. One writer (Bruce didn't say who) shot out the Simon Dean moniker, and Vince just went with it. When he was later told that it was a minor rib on Dean Malenko, the boss didn't understand why.

It was too late anyhow. The obnoxious fitness-obsessed gimmick had already debuted on TV by the time McMahon was clued in on exactly why one of his creative team had pitched it. They'd simply reversed 'Stinko Malenko's' birth name.