OVW's Matt Cappotelli Has A Brain Tumor

[filkertom]

Okay, first thing -- the non-wrestling fans probably won't care about the details, apart from simple human interest. Second, OVW is still a WWE training ground, and you know I'm ticked at WWE.

But damn.

At the TV taping for Ohio Valley Wrestling last night, OVW Champion Matt Cappotelli vacated the title and announced that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Cappotelli has been a popular champion. Last year, he broke his leg in a freak accident in a match, and head booker Paul Heyman (who has been doing some un-frickin'-believable stuff with OVW since he took over in August) used it to write a compelling story of betrayal (by his former partner Johnny Jeter) and revenge, beautifully paced and executed. More than anything, it shows that Heyman knows how to make average wrestlers good, good ones great, and great ones stars.

Well, last night in Louisville, KY, after the matches were done, the scripts were dropped. Cappotelli handed over the belt, and told the crowd that he's got a tumor that will require surgery, chemo, or both. He cried when he spoke of how he wanted to help other people in pain, and he prayed for everyone in the building. The ring was surrounded by the entire locker room -- heel, face, didn't matter. The first guy to hug him was his "sworn enemy" Johnny Jeter.

Cappotelli stayed after that as well, meeting fans at the concession stand for over an hour. Trading words, hugs, sometimes an e-mail address or even a phone number.

I wish Cappotelli nothing but the best, and hope that he returns to the ring soon. (And it certainly could happen -- both Jushin Liger and Ultimo Dragon returned to wrestling after beating tumors.) And I thank Cappotelli, Heyman, and OVW Wrestling for handling it with class, taste, maturity, and honesty.

Comments

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

Class act. All of them, including the "enemies."

Depending on the specifics, he might return someday. Lots of fans out there will be praying hard.

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

Whoa! They show OVW in Anne Arbor?

Man, you're lucky!

And you're right. Heyman is wrestling's evil genius!

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Actually, I have no idea if they do. No cable, remember? :) I just follow Pro Wrestling Torch. As I said, even though I'm cheesed off at WWE, I may end up buying the OVW DVDs, because if the action lives up to the recaps since Heyman took over we're talkin' phenomenal action for the true fans.

[wwetuesday.livejournal.com]

WWE.com has a video of Cappotelli speach.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/cappotelliovw

I remember when Cappotelli and Johnny Nitro won Tough Enough. I hoped one day they'd make it, There was even rumors for a while that they were being brought up together as a tag team (of course WWE decided to go with Joey Mercury instead as Nitro's partner).

I remember the beatings Hardcore Holly gave Cappotelli. And I remember how much I wanted Cappotelli to beat Holly's ass.

I really hope this isn't how his carrer ends. it would be ending before it truly began. I really hope he can come back from this and WWE brings him up and makes him a star.

Get well soon, Matt. The spotlight is waiting for you.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

God.

That video ripped my fuckin' heart out.

Twice that's happened this week (the other was the Coretta Scott King montage). Thanks, man.

Thus proving...

[stdharma.livejournal.com]

that Paul E. Heyman is the smartest (and luckiest) man in sports entertainment as it is. It's my opinion that Paul E. is just biding his time, running the show at OVW until things get bad enough that Vince comes to him and asks for his help.

My own personal beef with the E these days is that it's stupid, dumb and completely devoid of any entertainment value, save the antics of a notable few. Makes me wish I had access to the OVW TV show that plays in the area.

Saint Dharma, who knows how to apply a sleeper hold.