• Former WWF/WCW Wrestler Passes Away
WWF Old School is saddened to learn that former WWF/WCW wrestler Chuck Coates has passed away at the age of 63. He had been battling heart issues after going through a bypass, and also underwent four different operations in recent weeks. He also battled cancer thrice in his life.
His wife shared the following message on Facebook:
“This is not a post I ever thought I’d have to make. My wonderful husband Chuck Coates took his last breath on earth and his first breath in Heaven at 3:44am while I held his hand. Please pray for our family as we navigate the days ahead.”
Coates worked for multiple wrestling promotions including WWF and WCW. He wrestled names like Andre the Giant, Sting, Kurt Angle, Big Boss Man, Dustin Rhodes and Christian.
Below are a couple of recent photos of Chuck:
WWF Old School extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Chuck Coates.
• Former WrestleMania Axxess & AEW Dark Competitor Dies At 39
The wrestling community is mourning the loss of Jonathan Echevarria, best known to fans as Jaka, who passed away in Florida at the age of 39. The former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion suffered a heart attack a few days after competing at a Boca Raton Pro Wrestling event on August 31.
Before beginning his wrestling career, Echevarria trained in Taekwondo, later pursuing professional wrestling under the guidance of trainer Magic. He debuted in 2007, initially working under the name Jonny Mangue.
Over the years, he became a fixture of the Northeast independent circuit, appearing in promotions such as WXW (run by Afa Anoa’i), AIW in Cleveland, JAPW, IWA Deep South, Dragon Gate USA, CHIKARA, GCW, and Beyond Wrestling. In Beyond Wrestling, particularly, Jaka became one of the most familiar faces on their cards, regularly working against opponents who would later rise to national prominence.
Jaka’s highest-profile success came alongside Chris Dickinson. Together, they captured the EVOLVE Tag Team Championship multiple times, even appearing at WrestleMania Axxess in 2018. He later wrestled for AEW Dark in 2021.
Beyond Wrestling fans also knew him as part of Team Pazuzu, teaming with Mike Santana (now in TNA) and Angel Ortiz (AEW). Both men have since shared tributes, with Santana writing, “No words. GUTTED,” and Ortiz posting, “I love you tio.”
Echevarria’s sister, Annette, described him as a source of joy in any room. When a GoFundMe was launched to support his medical care, she wrote: “Jonathan is the kind of person who brings laughter and energy wherever he goes—a fun, lovable pain in the butt who means the world to us.”
Friends and peers echoed that sentiment, recalling Jaka as someone beloved in locker rooms across the country, admired for both his humor and generosity.
In more recent years, Jaka had reunited with Sean Maluta to form The Island Boys, capturing tag team titles in BRCW and Full Impact Pro in Florida. He also credited the late Harley Race as an important influence on his career, having attended seminars that Race personally conducted.
R.I.P
LATEST: AJPW Wrestler Dies At Age 21
