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Wrestling champion
Matt Cappotelli successfully took Matthew Cappotelli, a 1998 Caledonia-Mumford High School graduate, winner of MTV’s "Tough Enough 3" competition and Ohio Valley Wrestling champion, says he wasn’t going to be alone as he took on a formidable opponent May 1. He and his wife, Lindsay, traveled to Burlington, Mass., where Cappotelli successfully took on his battle with a brain tumor. Earlier in April, he announced in an interview published on the WWE Web site that he would undergo surgery to remove the malignant brain tumor on May 1. In a telephone interview at the end of April, Cappotelli said he felt "exceptional, extremely blessed," adding that his wife is a huge source of strength for him. After "Tough Enough 3," Cappotelli moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he began training for a career in professional wrestling. With his twinkling eyes, dashing good looks and winning personality, no one who knew him ever doubted that he was headed for stardom. He earned OVW’s championship title, but then an accident in the ring sent him to the hospital where doctors discovered the brain tumor. He has been out of the ring since then while a team of medical professionals monitored the tumor. He recently learned that the tumor had grown and his doctors recommended that he have the surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. In an emotional speech from the OVW ring, Cappotelli told his fans it was time to update his family on his condition. "Doctors have been monitoring the tumor since its discovery, and my last MRI revealed that it had grown a little," he said in the WWE Web site interview. "I had been feeling pretty good the last couple months, but recently I had some bad headaches and noticed a little change in my vision. They told me that because the tumor has grown, my optic nerves had swollen as well. Any surgery like this … it’s extremely tough to get 100 percent of the tumor. They’re hoping to get in the high 90s, and we’ll have to treat whatever they can’t get with chemo or radiation or a combination of both." In the April 22 phone interview, Cappotelli said he feels his honesty with the fans is one way he can help others who are struggling with situations in their own lives. "I’m in a position where I have access to a lot of people," he said. "I don’t feel bad for myself or for my situation; I want to inspire others to have hope in their own struggles." When asked if he ever felt down about the turn of events in his own life, Cappotelli quickly answered, "No, I have no time for that. I put my energy into not allowing that. I let God do what he has planned." He’s also open and honest about his commitment to God. In the interview, Cappotelli said he has complete faith in God and what he is doing. "I know I’m not alone, I’m not on my own in this. The biggest struggles in life you can’t do alone, you’ll wear yourself out. I know this is a far greater thing than anything I could imagine," he explained. While unable to compete in the ring this past year, Cappotelli started a new venture, Faithink: Explicit Truth, a line of self-designed clothing with Christian graphics and themes. It has been very successful, but he says he’ll have to take a little time off for the surgery and his recuperation. One thing is for sure, as soon as he can, he’ll be addressing his fans and thanking them for all of their thoughts and prayers. If you would like to send your well wishes to Matt, you can e-mail him at keepthefaithmatt@yahoo.com
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