Maven says WWE legend refused to work with him again
Maven Huffman appeared in WWE between 2001 and 2005 after winning the inaugural season of the Tough Enough reality show. The 47-year-old recently opened up about Dean Malenko allegedly refusing to work with him after an event.
Malenko wrestled for several major companies between 1979 and 2001, including ECW, WCW, and WWE. In 2005, he worked as a producer with the Stamford-based company when Maven faced Shelton Benjamin at an untelevised event in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
On his YouTube channel, Maven recalled how Malenko criticized him after the match in front of everyone backstage:
"I got backstage and was immediately told from him it was one of the worst wrestling matches he's ever seen. He made it clear he never wanted to work with me as my producer and agent again, and I don't think we did. And to add insult to injury, he didn't pull me aside and give me this information. Oh no. He would dress me down in front of the entire locker room and make sure everybody heard him along the way." [13:05 – 13:36]
The three-time Hardcore Champion also reflected on when Shawn Michaels reprimanded him behind the scenes following an in-ring botch.
How Maven reacted to Dean Malenko's feedback after WWE match
Arn Anderson, another WWE producer at the time, offered Maven some words of encouragement after witnessing Dean Malenko's post-match outburst. Shelton Benjamin also reassured his opponent that his performance was not as bad as the veteran had claimed.
Although others supported him backstage, Maven feared he could be fired if he received a reputation as a bad worker:
"While I appreciated Arn and Shelton's support, that four-hour drive home was atrocious. I not only thought my job was in jeopardy, I thought the time, effort, and skill I thought I was progressing with was for nothing, and there's no worse feeling in the world than thinking you've done something for absolutely nothing." [13:55 – 14:17]
Maven received his release from the company on July 5, 2005, six months after the match with Benjamin.
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Please credit Maven Huffman and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.