Former WWE Superstar Kenny Dykstra has rejoined WWE on a full-time basis as a coach at the company's Orlando-based Performance Center.
Dykstra (real name Ken Doane) describes himself as a "WWE PC Coach" in his current Twitter bio, and according to PWInsider, the former Spirit Squad cheerleader has been working at the Performance Center for at least a few weeks.
As you might recall, Dykstra was something of a wunderkind who debuted for WWE in May of 2003 as a 17-year-old when he participated in Rodney Mack's "5-Minute White Boy Challenge" in which Mack squashed white male sports entertainers in under five minutes. Shortly afterward, Dykstra signed a WWE developmental deal and reported for duty at OVW -- the company's feeder territory at the time.
In January of 2006, Dykstra re-debuted on WWE's main roster under the name Kenny alongside Mikey, Johnny, Mitch, and Nicky (now known as Dolph Ziggler). The five cocky cheerleaders were known collectively as The Spirit Squad, who would eventually become WWE World Tag Team Champions (all five members were recognized as the champs, and a combination of any two members was allowed to defend the championship under the Freebird Rule).
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The Spirit Squad disbanded in November of 2006, but Dykstra remained on WWE's main roster as a singles star until 2008, when he was released by the company.
Dykstra went on to have a successful career on the independent scene, performing for promotions such as Dragon Gate, Evolve, MLW, and Beyond. In 2016, Dykstra briefly returned to WWE to participate in a storyline with his former Spirit Squad stablemate Dolph Ziggler. The return was short-lived, and Dykstra returned to the indies and continued performing until 2019. On April 20, 2021, he officially retired from professional wrestling.
Dykstra has 20 years of pro-wrestling experience under his belt despite being just 35-years-old. Prior to his retirement, he appeared to be in excellent shape, so he should have no trouble keeping up with some hos proteges down in Orlando. Good luck, Ken!
