“We Don't Control What Happens in Our Lives, But We CAN Control How We React To It”: Tough Enough 3 Champion Matt Cappotelli Discusses His Cancer Diagnosis

In the five years I have been writing about reality TV for RealityNewsOnline, I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with dozens upon dozens of reality show contestants, fans, and writers alike. Many have become friends. But I can say with confidence that a very small number of those friendships have felt closer and more rewarding than my friendship with Matt Cappotelli.

I met Matt at the after-finale party for the third season of Tough Enough. Matt had just won the competition and with it, a WWE developmental contract and the opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. I made a point to introduce myself and tell him I had been rooting for him from the first episode. Matt’s face immediately brightened in that way it does, and he proceeded to tell me that he knew exactly who I am, and furthermore, he’s a big fan of mine! Are you kidding me? I felt like I was the one who just won the competition.

I’ve taken great pride following Matt’s career through monthly OVW tapes (which you can order online from ovwrestling.com if you want to see Matt in action. Just click “shop OVW” and then “videos.”) and in conversations with Matt. He had his setbacks, mostly due to injury, but it didn’t stop him from becoming OVW Heavyweight Champion, the highest honor a beginning wrestler can achieve, and what’s more, it’s almost always a direct stepping stone to being “called up” to the WWE.

As many of you know, Matt was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor a few days ago. The medical saga has been ongoing for a couple of months (read on for more details) but I have refused to report “updates” on the situation because I was afraid that I would be exploiting Matt’s condition. After hearing the latest diagnosis and in discussing it with Matt, we agreed that the time was right. But instead of much wailing and gnashing of teeth, Matt’s first thought was how he could reach out to help others.

I probably sound like I’m gushing, and I probably am gushing, but anyone who has ever met Matt Cappotelli understands. Before entering OVW, his nickname was the Infectious Flava, and it’s fitting. His personality is so infectious you almost immediately love him like a brother or son. Hopefully this interview will give those people who have never met him a little more insight into what an incredible human being – to paraphrase Billy Wilder, what a wonderful mensch - Matt Cappotelli truly is.

RealityNewsOnline: Catch us up on your career since the end of Tough Enough.

Matt Cappotelli: This April will mark the end of my third year in OVW since winning TE3. I was in a tag team called the Thrill Seekers for the past year or so. At that time, we were feuding with MNM [A team which included fellow TE3 winner John Hennigan] and won the Southern Tag Team Titles in OVW. After that run, I unfortunately broke my leg and my partner turned on me after he won the Heavyweight Title, which set up our feud when I returned from my injury.

RNO: How did it feel to win the title after such a great buildup?

Matt: It was the culmination of what I thought at the time, was the biggest obstacle I have had to climb since I started in this business. I broke my leg and had to be out of action for nearly three months. Fortunately, Paul Heyman kept me included in the weekly TV show and built up my return throughout my entire rehab time. We did some captivating stuff that I think really caught the attention of the fans. Every week was something different, new, and exciting. And credit goes where it's due - Paul Heyman is an amazing creative mind and Johnny Jeter stepped up his game to be, in my opinion, the best heel champion in OVW in a long time. It was compelling TV and just worked. I look back at those matches Jeter and I had, and they are ones I will always remember. Winning the title was the greatest moment I've had in wrestling (besides being able to make the speech I did last week).

RNO: >How did you first find out about the tumor?

Matt: Well, during a match on OVW TV, I was knocked out cold in the ring. It was an accidental shot to the head and it just dropped me. After the match, the trainers and everyone tried to convince me to go the hospital to get checked out. I really felt fine and if it wasn't for them pushing me to go, I would have never gone to the hospital that night. They took me in and did a routine CT scan of my head. The doctor came back and said that he wanted me to stay the night in the hospital. He then told me that the CT scan showed something abnormal in my head. The next morning they gave me an MRI that confirmed I had a brain tumor.