Marie Malenko Signs with WWE, Listed as Lacey Simon in New Performance Center Class

Marie Malenko’s long‑held dream of signing with WWE became reality this week when the company announced its latest class of Performance Center recruits, with Malenko identified under the ring name Lacey Simon. The four‑person class also includes Mason Rook (indie standout Will Kroos), Nicole Martinez (Nikki Blackheart) and bodybuilder Marcus Brown; Malenko marked the moment on Instagram with childhood photos at WWE events and a celebration of finally reaching her goal.

Malenko thanked coaches Jay Lethal, Vincent Marseglia and Aleister Black’s Dark Arts Gym after participating in a WWE tryout in February and gaining experience in Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH and Marigold earlier this year. Her father, former WWE/WCW/ECW star Dean Malenko, currently works behind the scenes in AEW; of the new recruits, Kroos has already appeared on NXT targeting champion Tony D’Angelo, while Martinez recently worked an NXT dark match.
Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/marie-malenko-reacts-to-signing-with-wwe/.