Melissa Coates

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2002–2006)

After training at both Killer Kowalski's training school and Ultimate Pro Wrestling's Ultimate University. Coates wrestled April Hunter, in which both wrestlers appeared completely nude.

WWE developmental system (2005–2007)

Coates moved down to Louisville, Kentucky to begin training in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. She was then placed in OVW as an official trainee and became the "head of security" for Kenny Bolin's stable "Bolin's Services". Soon after, however, Coates left both OVW and WWE and went to work for World Xtreme Wrestling.

After training in OVW, Coates then moved over to Deep South Wrestling and debuted for the territory as The Bag Lady, a homeless woman who became the love interest and eventually the valet of The Freakin' Deacon. On February 22, 2007, the Bag Lady debuted a new Diva-esque look and defeated Angel Williams in their subsequent match. The Bag Lady then began feuding with both Williams and Krissy Vaine. DeMott refuted the notion that it was his idea, stating that the other trainees came up with it because they wanted to skip the session.

NWA Anarchy (2007–2008)

In her first appearances on the indy circuit after leaving DSW, Coates made her debut for Great Championship Wrestling on May 29 and defeated Daffney to win the NWA/GCW Women's Championship, her first professional wrestling championship. Coates continued to remain champion until the title was seemingly forgotten and then deactivated in late 2007. Coates also made several appearances for other Georgia-based wrestling promotions in both a wrestling and managerial role. On July 7, she made her debut for NWA Anarchy as a heel, challenging and defeating several male wrestlers in intergender matches. At NWA Anarchy's Fright Night event, Coates teamed up with fellow DSW alumnus Tony Santarelli to defeat Todd Sexton and referee Wes Grissom, the latter of whom Coates was feuding with.

On December 15, Coates began an angle with Don Matthews after Coates attacked Matthews and his tag team partner Brodie Chase. All three were then entered into an Anarchy Battle Royal to determine the number one contender for the Television Championship, but both Coates and Matthews were simultaneously eliminated and Matthews began showing affection towards her. The angle between the two continued until Matthews' tag team partner Brodie Chase revealed that he and Coates were together, turning Chase heel in the process. On May 31, 2008, Chase defeated Matthews while having Coates in his corner. The team made its debut on October 10 in a victory over Annie Social and Sean Hanson pinning Hanson. The following day, the Badass Beauties lost to the Beatdown Betties (Roxxie Cotton and Annie Social) in the first round of a tournament for the vacant Tag Team Championship. On November 6, Coates wrestled in a six-person gauntlet match for the company's unsanctioned All Guts, No Glory Championship, but was unsuccessful as Angel Orsini, the title's creator and holder, retained the title. On May 3, 2009, she returned to the promotion for their Hard-Core Brawl event and lost an intergender tag team match with Blain Rage to Reiff and Johnny Romano. On February 4, 2012, Coates made her debut for the Michigan Championship Wrestling Association in a mixed tag team match, where she teamed with Tyler Elkins to defeat Sybil Starr and Brian Castle.

On November 12, 2020, a GoFundMe page was created on her behalf. Coates was experiencing excruciating pain in her left leg from the effects of COVID-19. She was admitted to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where doctors observed several blood clots in her leg. Despite several procedures to save her leg, doctors found that the blood clots were spreading and were life-threatening. Thus, doctors needed to perform life-saving surgery: the amputation of her left leg above the knee. Due to this medical emergency, Coates incurred substantial medical expenses and was out of work for an indefinite amount of time during rehabilitation.

Coates died in her sleep from COVID-19 complications on June 23, 2021, aged 52.

Other media

Filmography

Pray Another Day (2003) Traveling the Stars: Action Bronson and Friends Watch 'Ancient Aliens': Alien Devastation (2016) as "Super Genie"

Championships and accomplishments

Bodybuilding

1991 Windsor Physique – 1st (LW) 1996 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 9th 1997 IFBB Ms. International – 6th 1997 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 11th Dragon Con Dragon Con Women's Championship (1 time) Great Championship Wrestling NWA/GCW Women's Championship (1 time) Indiana Universal Wrestling Association IUWA Diva's Championship (1 time) Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ranked No. 41 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2010