WWE star dies of cancer

Matt Cappotelli (R) and his wife Lindsay in a past photo. [Photo/Courtesy]

Former WWE star Matt Cappotelli has died aged 38.

Cappotelli, who won WWE reality show Tough Enough, passed away on Friday after battling brain cancer.

His wife Lindsay announced the sad news on Facebook , writing: "Today my love - my strong, sweet, beautiful love - took his last breath at 3:30am and went home to be with Jesus... exactly one year after his brain surgery.

"You think you can be prepared for this when you know it's coming, but you just can't. The only person whose comfort I want right now is the one who can't give it to me. I miss him so much.

"I know where he is now is so much better, but it doesn't change how much I miss him."

Cappotelli had first been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005 before getting the all clear two years later.

However, last year he had to undergo emergency surgery after the cancer returned.

Speaking about the diagnosis, he said at the time: "The first time, the cancer was a very slow-growing, grade 2 tumour. This time, it came back in a more aggressive and deadlier form, a grade 4 glioblastoma, which if you do any research on, it's not very pleasant to look at."

He added that his message to others was "just that you have to fight for what you want. Life is the most precious gift we're given. 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."

After the sad news was announced, members of the wrestling world took to social media to remember the 38-year-old.

"My first best friend in the wrestling business and to this day one of the best people I’ve ever known Matt Cappotelli has passed on. I’m gutted about this news.

"Matt inspired everyone around him especially me early in my career. He is loved and will be missed," John Morrison - who won the third seaon of WWE Tough Enough alongside him - wrote.