Quick Facts
Biography
Matthew Lee Cappotelli (born November 12, 1979) is an American former professional wrestler, last working in OVW, the primary developmental territory for WWE until February 2008. He ended his career due to a malignant brain tumor, which has been fully removed.
Early life
Cappotelli attended college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he was also a member of the football team.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Tough Enough
Cappotelli, along with John Hennigan, won a WWE contract by winning Tough Enough III. Cappotelli was in a notable incident during the show, where Hardcore Holly stiffed him during a match in training, leaving him bleeding.
Various appearances
On Monday Night Raw vs. John Hennigan ended with Christopher Nowinski interfering and Tommy Dreamer attacking everyone.
On Sunday Night Heat Cappotelli and Hennigan took on Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak.
On February 28, 2004, Hennigan and Cappotelli took on Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin in a match on WWE Velocity, which they lost.
Ohio Valley Wrestling
He was then sent to OVW in order to continue his training and work on his promo skills. In OVW, Cappotelli formed a fan favorite tag team known as The Thrill Seekers with Johnny Jeter.
Cappotelli was embroiled in controversy when one of the former Tough Enough trainers, Hardcore Holly, worked stiff on the unsuspecting Cappotelli during a practice match, leaving him bruised and bloody. Holly later accidentally concussed Cappotelli while wrestling him at a live event on April 24, 2004.
On July 31, 2005, Cappotelli suffered a broken fibula during a match against The Blond Bombers (Chad and Tank Toland) at an Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) event in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, when he landed awkwardly after a suplex. He was out of action for approximately eight weeks.
On November 9 at an OVW television taping, Cappotelli captured the OVW Heavyweight Championship by defeating his former tag team partner, Johnny Jeter. WWE was planning to bring Cappotelli up into the main roster, but he was diagnosed with a grade 2/3 astrocytoma in December 2005. He was scheduled to undergo tests to further diagnose the tumor and plan treatment. On February 8, 2006, he announced the brain tumor was indeed cancerous and surrendered the title to OVW owner Danny Davis during an emotional speech at a television taping in Louisville, Kentucky. Cappotelli announced that he was planning on surgery on May 1, 2007.
Cappotelli announced to OVW wrestlers and fans on April 4, 2007 that he would undergo surgery for brain cancer in Boston on May 1. WWE's official website later posted an article, which included video of the announcement. WWE's official website later reported that the surgery was a success, and that the majority of the brain tumor was removed.
On January 4, 2009, Cappotelli's WWE contract expired and he was not re-signed.
Towards the end of 2013, Cappotelli became the trainer for OVW's Beginner Program.
Personal life
Cappotelli married Lindsay Seeders in March 2006. They reside in Louisville, Kentucky. He is close friends with professional wrestler and Western Michigan alumnus, Colt Cabana.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Aftertaste (Superkick)
- Signature moves
- Atomic drop
- Leg drop
- Powerbomb
Championships and accomplishments
- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Johnny Jeter
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (2006)
- World Wrestling Entertainment
- Tough Enough III with John Hennigan