Stars React to Matt Cappotelli’s Passing: WWE, The Miz, Sean Waltman, More

– The wrestling world has reacted to the passing of Tough Enough alumnus Matt Cappotelli on Friday. Following the news of Cappotelli’s death after a long battle with brain cancer, several stars took to social media to remember him. In addition, WWE posted the following statement on his passing:

Matt Cappotelli passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Matt Cappotelli, a promising Superstar who was a co-winner of WWE Tough Enough III, passed away Friday at age 38.

His death was first announced by his wife, Lindsay Cappotelli, on her Facebook page.

“Today my love-my strong, sweet, beautiful love-took his last breath at 3:30 a.m. and went Home to be with Jesus exactly one year after his brain surgery,” Cappotelli wrote in her post.

Matt Cappotelli, who previously proved his athletic prowess as a member of the Western Michigan University football team, quickly made a name for himself in sports-entertainment as a co-winner of WWE Tough Enough III.

He shared the victory in 2003 with John Hennigan, who later came to be known as John Morrison. After coming out on top of the WWE reality competition, the duo quickly started their training in Ohio Valley Wrestling to become future Superstars.

Cappotelli’s OVW training was cut short in 2006 due to an initial brain cancer diagnosis that was treated one year later. Ten years after surviving the first battle, his cancer resurfaced in 2017 and worsened later in the year.

In 2017, Cappotelli spoke with WWE.com about his second bout with cancer. Despite the troubling outlook, he continued to publicly fight his illness in hopes his story might help others find the strength to keep fighting their battles, too.

“Life is the most precious gift we’re given,” Capotelli said in 2017. “If I can inspire others to not give up on the life they’ve been blessed to have, that’s what I’m trying to spread – hope.”

WWE extends its condolences to Matt Cappotelli’s family, friends and fans.

Posts to social media by Stephanie McMahon, The Miz, Sean Waltman, Lance Storm and many others are below:

#RIPMattCappotelli You showed everyone what it means to never give up and to always stay positive. It was a honor to know you. https://t.co/rHsOgXIsfm

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) June 30, 2018

So saddened to hear we lost Matt Cappotelli! He was truly one of the best guys I’ve ever met in this business.
RIP Brother https://t.co/NZjBeuD3Ey

— Chris Masters (@ChrisAdonis) June 30, 2018

Very saddened to hear that Matt Cappotelli passed away. I had the privilege of working with and getting to know Matt during my time in OVW. If everyone strived to be even half the human being Matt was the world would be a wonderful wonderful place. #RIP

— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) June 29, 2018

https://twitter.com/OfficialTAZ/status/1012841389044977665

https://twitter.com/ImpactKM/status/1012830172884676609

Damn it damn it damn it. You suck cancer. Augh. Rest In Peace Matt Cappotelli 💔 You are the true definition of a warrior. The strength and dignity with which you fought your battle will forever be admired. God bless you and your family.

— Lauren/Angelina Love (@ActualALove) June 29, 2018

That being said, my heart extends to the family of Matt Cappotelli today. He taught us how to show up with love and hope despite adversity. A warrior. We are blessed to have had his energy light up our world.
Don’t hold back. Say "I love you" every day. Rise up. Shine your light.

— Serena (@SerenaDeeb) June 30, 2018

I hate to hear this. Seemed like a really good guy. https://t.co/iH5kGQcn7A

— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) June 30, 2018

#RipMattCappotelli

— ⭐⭐Rodriguez 🇲🇽🇺🇸⭐⭐ (@RRWWE) June 30, 2018

So sad to hear of our great friend Matt Cappotelli passing. Matt taught/showed me what it was to be a Christ follower years before I was ready for that walk. We love you brother. “Well done good and faithful servant”

— Kris Pavone (@CroftDaddyWWE) June 30, 2018

https://twitter.com/GrishamMMA/status/1012833432236384256

Very sad day https://t.co/t77toK8icS

— Santino Marella (@milanmiracle) June 30, 2018

https://twitter.com/RealBullJames/status/1012881076564516864

Matt Cappotelli was what every young hopeful should strive to be. Positive, passionate and hard working. I was fortunate to know him during his early OVW days and he always had a giving spirit. RIP Matt…

— Tom Prichard (@drtomprichard) June 29, 2018

Godspeed, Matt Cappotelli. We never met, but I was inspired by his story and bravery. My heart goes out to his loved ones. Rest well, sir.

— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) June 29, 2018

#TeamCapp pic.twitter.com/5qNWYUQ83M

— Brian Myers (@Myers_Wrestling) June 30, 2018

#RipMattCappotelli 😔 pic.twitter.com/nkrFqDyNaI

— JTG ( JAY THA GAWD ) (@Jtg1284) June 29, 2018

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/1012881559576293378

RIP Matt Cappotelli .

— Dango (@DirtyDangoCurty) June 30, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with Matt Cappotelli and his family. https://t.co/0jLkEKIsDF

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) June 30, 2018

https://twitter.com/TheRealXPac/status/1012825549398347776

RIP Matt Cappotelli. A great human being and made the most of his life turning negatives into positives, setting a great example along the way. I never really knew Matt as we started in different places, but he was loved by everyone and the times I did meet him he was always smiling. Positive thoughts and energy to his family and friends. #TeamCapp

A post shared by Ryback Reeves (@thebigguyryback22) on Jun 29, 2018 at 4:36pm PDT

Life is not fucking fair. I’m not the best man I know, For every good quality I have there is an equal negative one. That is common for most people, but for Matt that was not true. . Out of all the thousands of people I’ve met in my lifetime he was the only person whose faith in God made me believe, Whos generous heart made me want to give more. Whos positive words echoed not only through my ears but my spirit. He never judged nor try to pass judgment on anyone for there beliefs or actions. He was true to his faith while respecting others. Making sure that they knew he respected them, and chose to find friendship in their similarities rather than separation in their differences. #MattCappotelli was honestly the Purest and most honest man I ever met in my life, and for all his goodness he should have outlive an asshole like myself a thousand lifetimes over. But today after years of struggle he passed away. . Life’s not fucking fair, and if there’s any justice or God or anything he deserves to be in the kingdom of Heaven, Giving angels pointers on what it means to be Faithful and pure. . Rest in peace my brother. #MattCappotelli #OVW #Wwe #ChildOfGod #ServantOfTheLord

A post shared by Shad Gaspard (@shadbeast13) on Jun 29, 2018 at 5:05pm PDT

‪In 2005, Matt Cappotelli & I were gonna be brought up to WWE Smackdown as the tag team “Reality Check.” One day out of no where he called me and said that he had just been diagnosed w/ brain cancer. On the phone, even with this scary news he remained positive and was gonna fight to beat cancer. He has been fighting for his life ever since. Every time I saw him he was positive and always had a smile on his face. Today, we lost a good one. A true fighter. My condolences to his wife and family. Matt, you will be missed my friend. #RIPMatt #TeamCapp‬

A post shared by Mike "The Miz" Mizanin (@mikethemiz) on Jun 29, 2018 at 5:06pm PDT