All Elite Wrestling today announced a multi-year deal with Dean Malenko who will serve as a senior producer and coach. Malenko worked for WWE since 2001 but quit the company this month.

“Dean Malenko has been a massive force behind some of today’s biggest wrestling stars,” said Cody Rhodes, EVP of AEW. “He’s never stopped being a major talent who was part of the ECW revolution as well as a fixture in the cruiserweight movement on Nitro. He’s kept an open mind to our world from Lucha Libre to Japanese pro-wrestling. He’s the perfect fit for our sports-centric mentality, and his experience will be invaluable for our team. Welcome Coach!”

Dean Malenko added, “It’s not often you get an opportunity late in your career to be a part of building something from the ground floor. The freedom to be able to contribute uninhibited will only lend itself to foster creativity and produce an outstanding product. I’m excited about what the future holds for AEW, and I can’t wait to be a part of the journey.”

Known as “The Man of 1,000 Holds,” Malenko was pictured with Cody Rhodes and AEW President Tony Khan in front of a private jet as they headed to Las Vegas for Double or Nothing.