Below are some top WWE & AEW news stories of the day, involving Randy Orton and Dean Malenko.
• Randy Orton is currently involved in a storyline with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
Orton is scheduled to face Reigns for the Undisputed Title at Royal Rumble 2024 (either in a singles match or in a multi-man match involving LA Knight and AJ Styles).
Randy’s feud with The Bloodline is scheduled to continue until WrestleMania 40, as we are being told that WWE is planning to book Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa at WrestleMania 40 in April 2024.
As we have reported before, WWE plans to make Solo the next Tribal Chief after Roman loses the Title and goes on a long hiatus, so this is a part of his big push.
Solo recently picked up the biggest victory of his career, when he defeated John Cena clean at Crown Jewel.
• Dean Malenko, known for being one of the best cruiserweight wrestlers ever and his role as a behind-the-scenes producer for both WWE and AEW, has been battling Parkinson’s disease for years.
Jim Ross, in a recent episode of his Grilling JR podcast, mentioned that he encountered Malenko backstage at an AEW show. Ross revealed that Malenko underwent brain surgery to address tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease, shedding light on the challenges the former WCW Cruiserweight Champion has been facing in his health journey.
Here’s what Good Ol’ JR said:
“I saw Dean Malenko. Malenko’s had some health issues. I saw him there, and he’s had brain surgery. It stops the shakes from Parkinson’s, and he’s had the surgery. He’s such a sweetheart of a guy.”
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