- Matt Cappotelli
-
Matt Cappotelli Ring name(s) The Flava
Matt CappotelliBilled height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Billed weight 225 lb (102 kg) Born November 12, 1979
Caledonia, New YorkResides Kalamazoo, Michigan Billed from Rochester, New York Trained by Al Snow
Bill DeMott
Ivory
Nick DinsmoreDebut January 27, 2003 Matthew Lee "Matt" Cappotelli (born November 12, 1979) is an American professional wrestler, last working in Ohio Valley Wrestling, which was the primary developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment until February 7, 2008. He has postponed his career due to a malignant brain tumor, which has been fully removed.[1]
Contents
Career
World Wrestling Entertainment (2005-2009)
Tough Enough
Cappotelli, along with John Hennigan, won a WWE contract by winning Tough Enough III.[2]
Ohio Valley Wrestling
He was then sent to OVW in order to continue his training and work on his vocal 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, Bob "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.[3] 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.[4] WWE's official website later reported that the surgery was a success,[5] and that the majority of the brain tumor was removed.[1] He underwent 30 Radiation treatments and is undergoing continual bouts of monthly chemotherapy.
On January 4, 2009, Cappotelli's WWE contract expired and he was not re-signed.[6]
Personal life
He attended Caledonia-Mumford Central School in Caledonia, New York.[citation needed]
Cappotelli attended college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he was also a member of the football team.[7][8]
He married Lindsay Adalaide Seeders in March 2006.[9]
He is a born again Christian.[citation needed]
Matt and his wife are active members of New Vision Ministry Center in Louisville, Kentucky.[citation needed]
Cappotelli is a frequent guest on The Pain Clinic pro wrestling radio talk show in his hometown of Rochester, New York. Cappotelli also recently opened up a Christian clothing company, Faith Ink. Matt was on R News on September 12, 2006 to talk about his new company. He was also on The Pain Clinic the following Saturday.[citation needed]
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Aftertaste (Superkick)
- Signature moves
Championships and accomplishments
-
- OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[10]
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time)[11] – with Johnny Jeter
-
- WWE Tough Enough III co–winner with John Hennigan[2]
References
- ^ a b "Cappotelli recovering well". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2007-05-09. http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/cappotelliupdate.
- ^ a b "MTV Onair - Toughenough". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/onair/toughenough/. Retrieved 2007-04-08. "In the end, Matt and John were chosen to be the winners of Tough Enough 3."
- ^ Brady, Hicks. "2006: The year in wrestling". PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts (Kappa Publications): p. 17. 2007 Edition.
- ^ Dee, Louie (2007-04-06). "Matt Cappotelli to undergo brain surgery". WWE. http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/cappotelliupdate.
- ^ "Cappotelli undergoes surgery". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2007-05-02. http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/cappotellisurgery.
- ^ Wren, George. "TURNBUCKLE MADNESS: MATT CAPPOTELLI DISCUSSES HIS HEALTH, TOUGH ENOUGH, OVW, LIFE AND MORE". PWInsider.com. http://www.pwinsider.com/article/58632/turnbuckle-madness-matt-cappotelli-discusses-his-health-tough-enough-ovw-life-and-more.html?p=1. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204953802
- ^ http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2006/02/26/cappotelli-proves-hes-tough-enough/
- ^ "Faith Warrior". southeastoutlookchristian.org. 2009-12-14. http://www.southeastchristian.org/outlook/story.aspx?id=2982. Retrieved 2009-12-14.[dead link]
- ^ Westcott, Brian. "NWA - National Wrestling Alliance NWA Ohio Valley Wrestling Heavyweight/Ohio Valley Wrestling Heavyweight Title History". Solie. http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ovhtnwa.html. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ Westcott, Brian. "NWA - National Wrestling Alliance NWA Ohio Valley Wrestling Southern Tag Team Title History". Solie. http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ovsttnwa.html. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Wrestling Information Archive. http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
External links
Categories:- 1979 births
- American professional wrestlers
- Living people
- People from Rochester, New York
- Tough Enough winners
- Finishing moves
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
