Matt Cappotelli Discontinuing Cancer Treatments

Former Tough Enough winner, Matt Cappotelli, has discontinued further cancer treatments. This according to his wife, Lindsay.

Cappotelli was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006. He had surgery which reportedly removed most of the tumor. Last July, however, he was diagnosed with a grade IV GlioBlastoma Multiforme tumor, the most aggressive type of brain cancer there is.

Earlier this month, Lindsay updated her blog and stated doctors have now recommended discontinuing treatment.

“We went in last Tuesday for his infusion and talked with his neuro-oncologist about everything that we’ve been seeing with Matt, and he decided that we’re at the point now where we should discontinue treatments…I feel like it’s the right decision, even though it breaks my heart knowing that there is nothing else we can do. But I feel like we’ve done everything. All the supplements, the diet, the chemo, the radiation…”

She would continue to say that Matt is unable to speak in full sentences or communicate much.

“It’s hard to know how he feels about discontinuing treatment because he can’t communicate in full sentences most of the time.”

“Matt has fought hard. He never gave up hope. He kept the faith. He never complained through any of this. Not once did I hear him say, “Why me?” He still always thought of other people above himself, and anyone who knows him will tell you that. He is a true warrior.”

The 38-year-old began his wrestling career in 2003, winning season III of Tough Enough along with John Hennigan. After a short spell on the main roster, he was sent for additional training in Ohio Valley Wrestling.

In 2005, Cappotelli won the OVW Heavyweight Championship. He would later be forced to vacate the title, however, after being diagnosed with a brain tumor in early 2006. He had been working as a trainer in OVW as of 2013.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage Died 7 Years Ago Today

7 years ago today, we lost one of the most influential performers in the history of wrestling.  Randall Mario Poffo, better known to wrestling fans as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, died 7 years ago today.

Savage died of a heart attack while driving with his wife in Seminole, Florida. He lost control of his Jeep Wrangler and they crashed into a tree. Early reports indicated Savage had been killed in the collision but it was later concluded he died from atherosclerotic heart disease. Doctors found his heart was enlarged and the arteries surrounding it had been narrowed by more than 90%. It is believed he never knew about his heart condition.

Savage was cremated and his remains placed under a tree on his home in Largo, Florida.

There are few accolades for professional wrestlers that Savage did not earn during his long career.

In wrestling storyline, Savage was a 2x WWF Champion, a 4x WCW Champion, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. He was even more celebrated as a performer, however.

Savage was inducted into the inaugural class of the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 1996. His match with Ricky Steamboat from WrestleMania III also won Wrestling Observer Match of the Year in 1987.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has also honored Savage frequently throughout the years. He was honored as Wrestler of the Year, and Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 1988. The following year he would be voted Most Hated Wrestler of the Year by the same magazine.

A recent Ring of Honor show featured Savage’s brother, Lanny Poffo, interacting with Jay Lethal. The former Black Machismo brought Lanny Poffo out to deliver the same address he had given during the Macho King’s inauguration many years ago. Poffo then gave Lethal a pair of the Macho Man’s famous sunglasses.

Randall Mario Poffo was 58 years old.

Matt Jackson Comments On Hulk Hogan at All-In, Length of Show, more…

After selling out Chicago’s Sears Center Arena in under 30 minutes, members of the Elite are likely feeling pretty good these days.

We still don’t have any official matches for the show. We know Cody will be challenging for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship currently held by Nick Aldis. We don’t know if Nick Aldis will still be the champion come September 1st, 2018, however.

Matt Jackson has commented on the length of All In. He specifically mentioned he does not want the show to be a five or six-hour marathon as some New Japan Pro Wrestling shows are. Jackson was interviewed by WrestleZone radio recently and answered questions on what fans can expect on September 1st.

Jackson was asked specifically about how long All-In will be.

“I like three hours,” Jackson said. “I have a short attention span and I’m a father of two. I think I’m a millennial, I’m 33 now. I think three hours is realistic and I am going to try and keep it around that.”

NJPW often runs shows which pass the 4 and even 5-hour mark. The Greatest Royal Rumble was also a show of similar length.

In terms of other wrestlers which could still be booked for the show, Jackson mentioned the booking team gets a lot of requests.

“I was asked the other day about “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and I was like, ‘He’d probably cost $150,000 just to make an in-ring appearance.’ I can’t afford that,” Jackson said. “When we first announced this show, I think everyone just assumed we had these endless funds so just go ahead and bring in whoever! Sometimes there are names that are just unrealistic. It really is just three guys running a show. Give me a break.”

Jackson also stated NJPW has been great about the event and said they could ask for whatever wrestler they wanted. Kazuchika Okada seems like a good choice.

All In Sells Out In Under 30 Minutes

All In on September 1st, 2018, from the Sears Center in Chicago, will be the biggest non-WWE wrestling show in the United States or Canada since the closing of WCW in 2001.

Yesterday, all 10,000 tickets to the event were sold in under 30 minutes. Many are rejoicing at the news today as it signifies just how successful non-WWE wrestling can be in the current era.

Some fans are upset scalpers purchased a good chunk of tickets to the event, however. Unfortunately, this is a reality for all ticketed events which are expected to sell-out.

Friday’s ROH show in Toronto was sold-out and tickets were available on the secondary market for 4x face value. Ticketmaster and other outlets have methods in place to limit how many tickets scalpers can purchase but there is only so much they can do.

At yesterday’s press conference, Billy Corgan announced the NWA World Heavyweight Championship will be defended at All In. The challenger will be none other than Cody himself. The title belt owned by Billy Corgan and held by Nick Aldis played a significant role in Cody’s father’s career. It is fitting that Cody would challenge for it at such a significant event in his own career.

A question which will probably go on unanswered until the event itself is what will happen if Cody wins the championship? It’s not clear if he would take the belt with him to Ring Of Honor. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship has been defended in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where Cody also works, on multiple occasions.

The events at All-In may go a long way in determining how closely promotions such as ROH, the NWA, as well as Impact and Lucha Underground are able to work together.

Cody Tells Vince Russo To Stay Away From All In

Controversial wrestling personality, Vince Russo, has expressed his desire to appear at Bullet Club’s All In event on September 1st, 2018. For his part, Cody has expressed his strong desire Vince Russo not appear at the event. Cody also recently announced he has booked his dog, Pharoah, for the event.

This dynamic recently led to a series of Twitter messages I have curated for you below. Enjoy!

Cody responded to Russo’s text not long after.

Vince Russo then sent out a series of additional Tweets:

The above Tweet could be construed as Russo saying the style of wrestling at All In would be too dangerous.

The above Tweet seems to insinuate Russo feels he is being ostracized for having a perspective which deviates from the norm.

Velveteen Dream has been cutting some anti-independent wrestling fan promos as of late.

Russo gives the old “Sorry Not Sorry” line.

It’s not completely clear what Russo’s opposing viewpoints are although he seems to indicate modern wrestling is a little too dangerous.

Tessa Blanchard: “I’m the Hottest Free Agent Out There Right Now!

Tessa Blanchard made a surprise appearance at the Impact Wrestling “Redemption” PPV on April 22nd, 2018. She did guest commentary alongside Josh Matthews and Don Callis for the Taya Valkyrie vs Kiera Hogan match.

Recently, ImpactWrestling.com conducted an interview with Blanchard, who believes she is the hottest free agent available right now.

“I came to the Knockouts Division because it’s no secret that the past six months or so IMPACT’s been making strides. The hottest free agents out there – Pentagon, Fenix, Brian Cage – IMPACT has locked them down,” Blanchard explained. “When it comes to the Knockouts Division, I’m the hottest free agent out there right now!”

The Knockouts division in Impact is pretty crowded at the moment but Blanchard believes she’s earned the right to skip the line.

“I’m not looking to work my way up. I feel like I deserve a shot at the Knockouts Championship. On the independent circuit, I’ve traveled the world, I’ve won championships, I’ve won tournaments – I’ve defeated some of the best out there so I feel like I am one of the best.”

It seems as though Blanchard is gunning straight for the Knockouts champion, Allie.

“I’m coming here and I want to be the top dog, I’m going to go after whoever has the Knockouts Championship – and right now that’s Allie. I’ve got my sights set on Allie and if any of the Knockouts get in my way I’ll run right through them.”

Blanchard also spoke on what it is like to carry on the Blanchard name.

“Carrying on the Blanchard name is a huge honor for me because my grandfather, my father and my step-father – they’ve all put a lot into their legacy and for me to carry that on, it’s a lot of weight on my shoulders. I put pressure on myself to be the best and to carry on the Blanchard name with dignity and with pride.”

CM Punk Announced For Meet & Greet In Chicago During “All-In” Weekend

Fans attending Bullet Club’s “All In” event will be able to attend a Meet and Greet with CM Punk the night before. The Pro Wrestling Tees retail store in Chicago has just announced Punk will be at their location on August 31st, 2018, the night before All In.

Cody Rhodes re-tweeted Pro Wrestling Tees’ announcement of Punk’s Meet and Greet. This could fuel speculation of Punk’s further involvement with the event. That news of Punk’s meet and greet in Chicago is coming just before tickets go on sale this Sunday might be a coincidence.

Punk has an upcoming MMA fight to worry about first, however. He takes on Mike Jackson at UFC 225 on June 9th, 2018. UFC 225 will also be held in Punk’s hometown of Chicago.

Punk previously teased the idea he would be appearing at the September 1st, 2018 event earlier this year. Punk posted a Tweet saying fans had been asking him if he’s “All-In”. He followed it up with a post about being “In” for the Chicago Cubs upcoming season, however.

Punk’s friend, Matt Jackson, said this of Punk in an interview he gave earlier this year:

“I will say this: I text message Punk on a weekly basis. We’re good friends,” Matt Jackson said. “We talk wrestling. He still loves wrestling, of course, he does. We’re pro wrestlers. That’s what we do. Even when you quit or retire or whatever, it’s still in your blood.”

Punk has said he’ll never return to WWE but he’s never fully closed the door on a return to wrestling either. On the now-famous episode of Colt Cabana’s “Art of Wrestling” podcast, he did mention the idea of wrestling with the likes of the Young Bucks for promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerilla. Ever since signing with the UFC, however, Punk’s focus has been solely on MMA it seems.