‘Super Genie’ Melissa Coates passes away at 50 years old
Image: Melissa Coates
Melissa Coates, a female indie wrestler who once appeared on a WWE pay-per-view and also managed Sabu, passed away Wednesday at 50 years old, according to the Cauliflower Alley Club.
Coates had been dealing with health issues due to severe blood clots in her left leg that required life-saving amputation from above the knee down in 2020, but it’s unknown what caused her passing.
A Killer Kowalski and UPW trainee, the Canadian-born Coates appeared at the 2005 WWE Backlash pay-per-view in an effort to survive Chris Masters’ Masterlock Challenge. She worked in OVW and Deep South Wrestling for some time, but was never under a developmental contract.
The former bodybuilder also worked for NWA Anarchy, Dory Funk Jr.’s Funkin’ Conservatory BANG! promotion, and on the indies. According to Cagematch, she had last worked in the ring in 2014.
Later in her career, Coates managed Sabu as “The Super Genie.” Before her pro wrestling career, Coates was in the first two seasons of Extreme Dodgeball on the Game Show Network.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.