WWE Tough Enough 3: An Interview with Winner Matt Cappotelli

Mike DeGeorge: Tell us about yourself. Who is Matt Cappotelli?

Matt Cappotelli: Who Matt Cappotelli is and what centers my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, TE3 did not to represent that part of my life. My faith outweighs every other aspect of my life and I'm very proud of that. I love the outdoors, especially the sunshine. There's nothing better to me than taking my Jeep out for a cruise with the top down. I'm into Jeeps and spend a lot of time wrenching on it and building it up. I also enjoy lifting weights, I have since I was very young. Family is extremely important to me and we are very tight knit. I'm just all about having fun and enjoying life – I'm a very stress free guy.

Mike: How long have you been a wrestling fan?

Matt: I grew up watching Pro Wrestling with my father and brother and attended my first live show at age 8.

Mike: Who are your favorites?

Matt: I am a huge Shawn Michaels fan, he is an icon in the business and paved the way for "slightly undersized" performers such as myself. Most importantly, I admire him as a strong Christian and what he has done in the last couple of years. One match that sticks out in my mind was the Iron Man match at Wrestlemania XII against Bret Hart. What a match – something that I will always remember.

Mike: Was there ever a match or gimmick you saw and thought, “Wow, I wish I would have been involved in that?”

Matt: I loved the Ultimate Warrior growing up – I think his gimmick had a great hook. He exuded so much energy – I can still hear his music and see him shaking those ropes.

Mike: Do you pattern your style after any particular wrestler?

Matt: Not specifically, I would like to be able to encompass various styles. I'd like to take bits and pieces of other wrestlers' styles and make a hybrid of my own.

Mike: What made you try out for TE3?

Matt: It was a shot to live the dream. It was a long shot from the beginning, but I wanted this. TE3 was an opportunity that I had to give a shot, I wouldn't want to look back and wonder "What if?"

Mike: Did you try out for any other seasons of the show?

Matt: I actually missed the deadline for Season 2, and I had to Overnight Mail my video tape for TE3 the day before the deadline – I was almost too late again.

Mike: Did you have a 'plan' going in to the show?

Matt: I was going to be myself no matter what – a lot of people try to put on acts and be someone they're not. I know that the producers would see through those people. I just let my personality loose and did my own thing. I worried about myself and not what everyone else was doing.

Mike: What made you think you have what it takes to be a WWE Superstar?

Matt: I know I have the heart and determination to be in the WWE. I was a walk-on Division 1 football player who had to fight everyday just to get noticed. Not to mention the fact that I had to persevere through four knee surgeries (two on each knee) during that time. I'm the kind of kid that might get knocked down 10 times, but you better believe I'm getting up that 11th time and standing tall. I think my personality suits the WWE very well, I'm an entertainer, I love being in the spotlight and feeling the crowd.

Mike: When the final 13 were chosen, did you think anyone stood out as a threat to you?

Matt: I knew there were threats, but it was so early in the competition that I hadn't singled anyone out. I was very focused on myself and what I needed to do. Jonah and I had bonded early and I knew he would be tough competition. I also knew that John had been on TE2 and was back for his second time around, I knew he would be tough also. On the female end, I thought Jill had sooo much potential for this. She was one of my picks off the start.

Mike: Many people placed you as an early favorite, some even from the first episode. What do you think were the elements that made people instantly see you as a possible finalist and winner?

Matt: Well, if you talk about just the first show or two, I would have to say it was my unique look. I think I stood out somewhat in the lineup and maybe that drew viewers to me initially.

Mike: I have to agree with that. Did you think you had one of the spots wrapped up from the beginning?

Matt: No, I never thought I had anything wrapped up. It was a constant battle – you see positive things from everyone all along the way.

Mike: I'm sure you saw Lance Storm's response to the rib Jonah pulled midway through the series. In retrospect, do you agree that perhaps it was not the best joke to play on the other contestants?

Matt: Yes, I did read Lance Storm's comments. I was the one in the ring with Jonah when he was supposedly "injured." I really thought that I had ended his stint on TE3 and may have done something serious to his health. As everyone remembers, I was very emotional during that situation – how would you feel if you seriously injured one of your close friends? It wasn't the best rib to pull considering how many neck injuries there are in pro wrestling and how many athletes' careers have ended or been paralyzed because of it.

Mike: Which contestants did you feel particularly close to and why?

Matt: Jonah, Eric, John, and Jamie – we've been through so much together and spent the longest time together as a group. I also feel close to Scott, he grew a lot as a person during the show, not just emotionally, but he grew spiritually as well.

Mike: You seemed to get along with everyone. Was there anyone you really had a problem with?

Matt: I generally get along with a wide range of people, so that's never been a problem for me.

Mike: What was the general feeling in the house after Jill left?

Matt: I think we all questioned what her real motive was. But then again, she was one major threat to the competition that was eliminated.

Mike: Did you hear that they asked Amy to come in to replace Jill, since it was so early, and she turned them down?

Matt: Yes, just recently Amy explained that to me. She didn't want to come back and take someone's place – it just wasn't in her heart to do this.

Mike: Did you guys know anything about what happened to Lisa, or were you just told she was gone?

Matt: We were just told that she decided that TE3 was not for her and things were left at that.

Mike: As a person who is dedicated to his faith, what was your opinion of the whole Rebekah situation?

Matt: I'm not going to judge her as a Christian because that would be wrong of me to do, all I can say is that her and I maybe had some different views. Sometimes things aren't always fair, and we will be judged by the majority of this world by our actions.

Mike: Do you feel that religious beliefs can be a difficult mix with the world of professional wrestling?

Matt: Religious beliefs are a difficult mix anywhere in our world today. God said that we as Christians will face persecution everyday – so it's nothing new to me. I look at pro wrestlers today who are making such a positive influence like Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, Sting, Road Warriors, Eddie Guerrero, etc. – I have the utmost respect for these guys and the way that they are able to stay strong in their faith.

Mike: What would you do if you were asked to play a gimmick you morally disagreed with?

Matt: Ah, a very interesting question. I believe in being/having a different persona in the ring, but don't believe in sacrificing who you are as a person. There are always ways to tweak a character or gimmick to make it work for both ends.

Mike: We didn't see much interaction between you and the trainers. Was there any trainer you got along with particularly well?

Matt: Al, Bill, and Ivory were distant in the beginning – but that's how it has to be early on. They weren't there to make friends, they were there and getting paid to weed out the people who didn't have it. Being in Iceland turned a new page for the cast and the trainers. We bonded and saw each other on a much deeper level.

Mike: What did you think of the trainers in general?

Matt: They are three of the greatest people I have ever met. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and learn with them.

Mike: Where you surprised at the amount of response your in-ring “encounter” with Bob Holly brought up?

Matt: Yes, I was surprised as to how much media and fan attention that has gotten. It's not something that I even think about, it was very confusing and I didn't quite know what to do during the show. People seemed to think that I considering quitting TE3 during this time, but that was NEVER an option. I will never let anyone dictate my future. I just needed time to get everything straight in my head as to what actually happened and why, but I would never walk away from this. Everything happens for a reason and I know it's made me stronger in the end.

Mike: What would you think if the WWE told you your first program would be against Holly?

Matt: I would think that it's time to go to work – let's do it. I wouldn't think twice about it.

Mike: Tell us about "Flava," Where did you get that nickname/gimmick?

Matt: The Flava is a persona that captures my flamboyant, humorous, and entertaining personality. I write down ideas, quotes, and random thoughts all the time – one day I was trying to think of one word that could capture my persona package – FLAVA!! It just oozed out and I knew it was perfect.

Mike: What was your favorite moment in the show?

Matt: My favorite moment was meeting Shawn Michaels and listening to him speak about his faith. This was right near the end of the show and topped it off for me.

Mike: Your least favorite?

Matt: Seeing your friends leave and [their] dreams being cut short.

Mike: Was there anything they didn't show from the training that you wish they had?

Matt: I wish they showed more in-ring work, but it's tough with only 18 minutes.

Mike: Did the show do a fair job of representing everyone as they acted?

Matt: Yes, everyone was portrayed fairly accurately.

Mike: Do you think Jamie was at a disadvantage for the final cut because she was the last woman?

Matt: No, actually I saw it as an advantage. She had a lot of the female population behind her for being the last female.

Mike: Do you think any of the contestants who didn't win got a raw deal?

Matt: I believe that everyone holds their own destiny right now. The three who didn't win already have their foot in the door, if they want it bad enough they will get there soon.

Mike: Why do you think you won?

Matt: Because I believe that this is where I am supposed to be. I believe God has blessed me with a talent and all I am doing is following His lead with it. I have a passion for what I'm doing and I think I can over a good package to the WWE.

Mike: Aside from John, do you keep in contact with any of the others?

Matt: I still talk to Jonah and Eric on a random basis.

Mike: In your acceptance speech, you mentioned someone named Joe along with your Grandfather as someone who couldn't be there with you. Who was Joe?

Matt: Joe was one of my best friends in High School who passed away a few years back. He was a big wrestling fan and would have been sitting with me that night in NYC. His death was a tragedy and is something that happens too often in this world. He is deeply missed and will be with me forever.

Mike: Anything that may have been better this time around than on previous seasons?

Matt: Some people will disagree, but I believe this season has a lot more humor and personality. Also, we really bonded as a group and became great friends.

Mike: Any words of advice for future contestants, if there is a TE4?

Matt: Prepare yourself more than you ever have before for anything – mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Mike: What's next for Matt?

Matt: Hopefully the sky is the limit – right now I need to learn A LOT!! I need experience, I'm as green as they come. I just want to be a sponge and soak up as much as I can from as many people as I can. I'm sure OVW is in the very near future – only time will tell after that.

Mike: What are your hopes for your new career? What do you hope to accomplish?

Matt: I want to have a long successful career just like the next guy, but my initial plans are to learn! Obviously a huge concern is staying healthy – but overall, the good Lord will continue to lead my path.

Mike: Thank you very much for taking time to talk to us!

E-mail Mike at: mikmaria@earthlink.net.

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