Matt Cappotelli Death – Brain Cancer
Former WWE development wrestler and Tough Enough III winner, Matt Cappotelli, dead at 38 from brain cancer. photo: wwe.com
1979-2018 (Age 38)
Matt Cappotelli has died after his second bout with brain cancer.
He was 38.
In 2003, Cappotelli won WWE Tough Enough III, alongside John Hennigan (aka John Morrison).
In July of 2017, Cappotelli announced he was diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma multiforme – an aggressive brain cancer.
Cappotelli’s widow, Lindsay Cappotelli broke the news via a heartfelt Facebook message, stating:
“Hey Team Capp…I’ve been struggling with what to say and how to say this, and I’ll probably end up rambling, but here goes. Today my love-my strong, sweet, beautiful love-took his last breath at 3:30 a.m. and went Home to be with Jesus…exactly one year after his brain surgery. You think you can be prepared for this when you know it’s coming, but you just can’t. The only person who’s comfort I want right now is the one who can’t give it to me. I miss him so much. I know where he is now is so much better, but it doesn’t change how much I miss him.”
Matt Cappotelli vs. Bob Holly on Tough Enough
Cappotelli was involved in an infamous incident on Tough Enough III in 2003 when trainer Bob Holly started shooting on him:
Holly stated in an interview that he was simply “protecting the business” after he saw the Tough Enough competitors, including Cappotelli, goofing off in the ring, laughing while taking punches.
Most condemned Bob Holly for the incident, including fellow trainer Al Snow. Triple H called Bob Holly’s actions “inexcusable.”
photo: gofundme
Matt Cappotelli Health Issues
In 2006, Cappotelli was diagnosed with grade 2 glioma, which effectively ended his wrestling career. However, most of the tumor was removed after what was considered a successful surgery. Cappotelli underwent extensive radiation and chemotherapy over the following two years, but all seemed positive.
Sadly, Cappotelli’s brain tumor returned in June of 2017 – nearly a decade after being in remission.
According to family, the diagnosis was “grade IV GlioBlastoma Multiforme (GBM), which is the most aggressive and deadliest form of brain cancer.”
After the second cancer diagnosis, a GoFundMe was launched in August 2017 to help offset Cappotelli’s medical expenses. The campaign raised over thirty thousand dollars.
On May 4, 2018, Lindsay Cappotelli wrote in her blog that after discussion with the neuro-oncologist, Matt would discontinue treatment in his fight against cancer.
“Matt has fought hard. He never gave up hope. He kept the faith. He never complained through any of this. Not once did I hear him say, “Why me?” He still always thought of other people above himself, and anyone who knows him will tell you that. He is a true warrior.”
Matt Cappatelli Death
Matt Cappatelli died on June 29, 2018 around 3:30am after his second bout with brain cancer.
WWE posted an obituary on their website, and Tweeted out: “WWE is saddened to learn that Matt Cappotelli, a promising Superstar who was a co-winner of WWE Tough Enough III, passed away Friday at age 38.”
Twitter was flooded with praise for Cappotelli – both for his in-ring work, as well as his character outside the ring.
The Miz took to Instagram to share a story about the phone call he received when Matt received his first cancer diagnosis: “In 2005, Matt Cappotelli & I were gonna be brought up to WWE Smackdown as the tag team “Reality Check.” One day out of no where he called me and said that he had just been diagnosed w/ brain cancer. On the phone, even with this scary news he remained positive and was gonna fight to beat cancer. He has been fighting for his life ever since. Every time I saw him he was positive and always had a smile on his face. Today, we lost a good one. A true fighter. My condolences to his wife and family. Matt, you will be missed my friend.”
Several other notable wrestling deaths have taken place in 2018, including Bruno Sammartino and Vader.
Matt Cappotelli also joins a long list of professional wrestlers who died young.
Our condolences to Matt’s friends and family.
