Exactly How Good Was Dean Malenko?

Between 1996 and 2001, Dean Malenko wrestled the fat end of 600 matches for WCW and WWE. This number, more than any count of title reigns or major programmes should highlight just how valuable 'The Iceman' was to both organisations as they both experienced their highest-grossing periods ever up to that point.

There were utility players, and then there was Dean-o Machine-o. Malenko worked total f*cking rippers with Rey Mysterio in a nascent and developing WCW Cruiserweight Division, then later went on to do the same with the likes of Scotty 2 Hotty and Taka Michinoku in WWE' p*ss poor equivalent. He was a wrist-clenching cold-hearted killer for The Four Horsemen and The Radicalz respectively, and to this day doesn't get enough credit for how subtly he played the very obviously miscast and patronisingly-doled-out role as a James Bond-esque ladykiller in an increasingly bloated post-boom World Wrestling Federation.

But Slamboree 1998 is the one.

There could be no questions asked of the reserved performer's ability to forge a genuine bond with an audience (and how relatable is that in the outlandish personality-obsessed culture in 2021?) upon watching the reaction as mystery lucha star Ciclope unmasked to reveal Malenko as the surprise return opponent of hated rival and a*sehole heel Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho. Jericho called it one of the loudest pops he'd ever heard in his career, and it served as the highlight of an awesome war waged between the two for most of the year.

Another company in another time might have done more with that Dean Malenko, but this could be said of all five years that made up far more than just a cup of coffee in the big time.

Within those rather strict parameters, what exactly did he leave behind?

CONT'D...