WWE production veteran Davey Coates has sadly passed away, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the wrestling industry.

Coates was a longtime member of WWE’s production team and served as the company’s international touring manager. In that role he helped coordinate WWE’s global tours and played a key part in ensuring events around the world ran smoothly. According to Triple H, he was also instrumental in helping keep NXT UK operating during the challenges presented by the COVID 19 pandemic.

Following the news of his passing, many within WWE and the wider wrestling community took to social media to honor his contributions and share memories.

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H paid tribute to Coates and reflected on the important role he played behind the scenes.

“Learned of the sad news of Davey Coates passing. Davey was @WWE’s international touring manager and was largely responsible for making all international shows, large and small happen. He ensured our wrestling rings got to the most remote corners of the world, our backstage ran smoothly and always took great care and personal pride in assisting our NXT UK talent at the ‘UK Performance Centre.’”

Triple H also shared a personal memory connected to Coates.

“Davey sent me this photo some years ago, another memory from an international tour 30 years ago… The thoughts of our crew, our talent and the entire WWE family are with his family today. See ya down the road, Davey. Catch you at the next gig.”

WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce also reflected on Coates’ impact and the legacy he leaves behind.

“Godspeed, Davey Coates. Another absolute legend behind the scenes who tirelessly worked for decades to bring @wwe to the globe. I can’t say enough about his passion and dedication. I’m honored to have worked with him and shared countless laughs along the way. My heart goes out to his friends, family, and all touched by this loss. Rest well, sir.”

Former NXT UK Tag Team Champion Brooks Jenson remembered Coates fondly from his time working in the brand.

“RIP Davey Coates

Always appreciated you taking care of Briggs, Fallon, and myself back in NXT UK and thank you for not only your contribution to the WWE but to also being one of kindest human beings in this world”

British wrestling standout Dave Mastiff also paid tribute.

“RIP Davey Coates, a true diamond of a human being. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. More importantly thanks for the trust, the friendship and the stories.”

Former WWE UK ring announcer Kirsty Bosley shared a personal story highlighting Coates’ kindness behind the scenes.

“On my first week at WWE, when the fans had left, despite having one of the most labour intensive and mentally complex workloads in the whole business, Davey Coates made sure to hunt me down to hand me a special non-alcoholic cocktail he’d whipped up to celebrate wrapping.”

William Regal, who spent many years touring with Coates during WWE’s international events, shared an emotional message reflecting on their friendship.

“I’m beyond deeply saddened to hear my close friend and colleague Davey Coates has passed. We’ve been on tour with WWE for 20+ years in over 20 countries. We shared the same interests in British sub cultures and music. We laughed harder than anyone has the right to. We’ve shared our closest moments that we couldn’t tell anyone else. We both knew that we had charmed lives because of our work that we would never of had without it and both could have ended up going down a wrong path in our teens and later life. My deepest condolences to Henry and Davey’s friends and family. I’ll miss you forever.x”

Coates’ work behind the scenes helped make WWE’s international events possible for decades, and his impact was clearly felt by the many colleagues and performers who worked alongside him.

One of the unsung heroes of @WWE sent me this photo from South Africa in 1996. Davey Coates helps manage our global tours and was absolutely vital in keeping @NXTUK running through the pandemic. 25+ years of hard work, miles traveled and great friendship. To 25 more!!! #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/A5LXYFkFTh

, Triple H (@TripleH) June 11, 2021

Mark Henry shared strong praise for Randy Orton heel turn on Cody Rhodes. During the March 13 episode of WWE SmackDown, Orton attacked Cody Rhodes after their contract signing for the Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42. Henry called this moment the return of the dangerous Viper persona that made Orton one of wrestling’s most feared stars. He appeared on Busted Open After Dark to explain why the segment stood out.

Henry asked fans to think about the last time a contract signing felt this intense. “When was the last time you saw a contract signing that was as compelling as the one we just got?” Henry said on the show. “It made sense.” He described the buildup step by step. Orton avoided eye contact with Rhodes during an emotional speech. “Randy could not look at Cody. He turned his back. I knew right then that there was some kind of conflicted feeling in Randy,” Henry said. “Randy got ready to say something. His voice was broken, because he knew in his mind what was going on and what was about to play out. Cody still didn’t get it. Cody was blinded by ‘that’s my boy.’”

After the attack, Orton sat in the ring with the title on his lap. Henry loved the visual of Orton staring into the camera without words. “He looks straight up at the camera as if he’s looking at the fans and not saying nothing. He’s saying an awful lot with his eyes, with one head nod. He’s like, ‘You get it. This is how bad I want to be champion. I will sacrifice my boy in order to be champion again,’” Henry said. “Heavy duty s**t. Masterful.”

Henry believes the heel turn came at the right time for WWE. He expressed frustration with too much friendly behavior in wrestling. “I’m tired of all the tree hugging, the kissing on the cheek, the bowing to your competitor,” he said. “I competed in two Olympic Games, multiple National Championships, World Championships. I never bowed to no man.” He linked it to his own success as a heel. “As much as I love being Mr. USA, as much as I love being Sexual Chocolate, as much as I love being the World’s Strongest Man – you know where I made the most money? In the Nation of Domination, kicking people’s ass. In the Hall of Pain,” Henry said. “The people wanted to see me run people through cages, throw heavy items on people. That’s what I want from Randy.”

Older wrestling figures will enjoy this change more, Henry noted. “Bob Orton, the older guys, Jesse Ventura – I bet you he is laughing his ass off right now, because they respect the gangster,” he said. “They respect the guy that knows he could be good, but he chooses to be bad because it pays well, and chicks dig scars.” He warned fans how to approach the new Randy Orton. “Don’t trust him. Don’t turn your back on him. Don’t hug him. Don’t reach to shake his hand. Don’t ask for acknowledgement. Fear him and treat him like he’s gonna punch you at any moment,” Henry said.

The co-host mentioned Orton’s history with the Rhodes family, including punting Dusty Rhodes in 2007 as the Legend Killer. This attack brings that story full circle ahead of WrestleMania 42. Orton also shoved Jelly Roll and Nick Aldis during the chaos, making him seem more unpredictable. “You push Nick Aldis down, you push Jelly Roll down, and you sit there and you become unpredictable. You become the Viper,” Henry said.

The Randy Orton heel turn on Cody Rhodes adds fresh energy to WWE programming. WrestleMania 42 happens April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Rhodes defending the title against Orton in a main event match.

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