WWE legend, 63, undergoes brain surgery to treat Parkinson’s disease-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Dean Malenko has been living with Parkinson’s for almost a decade (Picture: WWE)

Former WWE star Dean Malenko has undergone successful brain surgery to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The 63-year-old retired wrestler, who now works backstage for rival company All Elite Wrestling (AEW), recently had the major operation to ‘stop his shakes’ associated with the brain disorder.

The disease causes uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Malenko was diagnosed with the disease in his early 50s, and now he has had the procedure to help his day to day life.

Veteran wrestling commentator Jim Ross, who has been open about his own health battle, was backstage at AEW Dynamite this week in his hometown in Oklahoma City and reunited with his friend.

‘I saw Dean Malenko. Malenko’s had some health issues. I saw him there,’ JR revealed on his own Grilling JR podcast.

The retired wrestler has stayed in wrestling since his retirement (Picture: WWE)

‘And he had brain surgery and it stops his shakes form the Parkinson’s and it has, he’s had the surgery. He’s such a sweetheart of a guy.’

Malenko joined AEW in 2019 as a producer, after serving a similar role in WWE following his in-ring retirement in 2001.

Looking at the star’s job in AEW, JR explained: ‘He one of those unsung guys that’s such an MVP at AEW because of his guidance, his coaching.

‘He encourages the talents to bring with them to him what they want to do… and then he helps them, he contributes. It’s teaching. All that is is coaching. And he’s really, really good at it.’

Veteran commentator Jim Ross gave the health update (Picture: WWE)

Malenko – who won the ECW World Television, WCW Cruiserweight and WWF Light Heavyweight titles during a career which saw him hailed as one of the best technicians in the business – has previously opened up about his experiences.

He was diagnosed after noticing changes in his movement, which led to three professionals all coming to the same conclusion.

The dad-of-three – who has been married to wife Julie since 1996 – has been able to retain some good humour about his condition when it comes to his family, and he noted his teenager daughter will ‘have fun with it’ to keep spirits up.

‘I compare having Parkinson’s to having a roommate that never leaves. Because every morning you wake up, you have this other person with you,’ he explained on Talk Is Jericho in 2021.

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‘They’re not going to let you get out of bed easy, they’re going to make you shake, it takes over your body. It can be crazy at times but I am getting used to it. I try to just laugh things off.

‘If I’m shaking, my 15-year-old will put her hand on me and she will start shaking, just have fun with it. There’s nothing you can do about it. I’m not going to get rid of it, it’s always going to be there.’

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