Dean Malenko Sends Shinhiro Otani The WCW Cruiserweight Title They Fought For In 1996

Submitted by Matt Boone on

Dean Malenko recently presented Japanese wrestling legend Shinhiro Otani with the WCW Cruiserweight Championship belt they once battled over in 1996.

Otani, who suffered a career-ending spinal injury in 2022 after taking a German suplex into a turnbuckle, shared the heartfelt gesture from Malenko in a post on X, along with a photo of the championship.

The post reads as follows:

"I received the best gift from Dean Malenko. The WCW Cruiserweight belt that I fought and competed for with Malenko in 1996. Referee Tayama, my senior from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, brought it to me on behalf of Malenko. I’ve gained another precious treasure. I can feel the strength surging within me. Let’s do this!"