It is with a heavy heart that we bring you the news that former professional wrestler and WWE developmental star Matt Cappotelli has passed away, ending his 12-year battle against cancer. He was only 38.

Cappotelli arrived on WWE’s radar in 2002 when he competed on the third season of Though Enough, a reality-based competition series that has produced the likes of John Hennigan (Morrison/Mundo/Impact), Ryback, The Miz, and most recently Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose and Velveteen Dream.

In early 2003 he was revealed as the co-winner of Though Enough alongside Hennigan and made multiple appears on WWE television before being moved to Ohio Valley Wrestling to begin his full-time training in the company’s developmental system. By late 2005 he had succeeded in becoming the OVW Heavyweight Champion, but shortly after winning the title he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

After two years of fighting Cappotelli was given a clean bill of health, although the damage done by the tumor itself was enough to end his in-ring career as a professional wrestler. However, he would later return to OVW as a trainer in their beginner’s program for brand new and prospective wrestlers.

Unfortunately, last July Cappotelli’s cancer reemerged as a grade four Glioblastoma, the deadliest and most aggressive form of brain cancer with a less than 5% survival rate beyond the first five years. Last month we reported that Matt had undergone his final stage of treatment, but with no remaining options the reality was that he was very likely entering his last days. His wife Lindsay confirmed his passing in a post made on Facebook earlier today.

We are saddened today by the loss of a genuinely great human being, who was loved and respected by everyone in the wrestling business that had the pleasure of crossing his path over the years. We thank Matt for his courage and endless positivity throughout his entire battle, and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.