Former WWE star Test found dead
“I'm actually wondering who's next? Who's next to die?”
That question was posed by Andrew “Test” Martin in his MySpace blog in November 2005 after Eddie Guerrero died at 38.
In a scene that has become far too familiar in the wrestling industry, Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Fla., home by police officers last night. He was a few days shy of his 34th birthday.
There is no indication of foul play, according to a statement released by the police.
It’s a sad ending for a guy who at one point appeared to have a bright future in the business.
Martin was originally trained by Bret Hart before being signed to a WWE developmental deal. Along with fellow Canadians Adam Copeland (Edge) and Jason Reso (Christian), Martin trained at camps run by former NWA world champion Dory Funk Jr.
Martin debuted as Test on WWE television in 1998 as a bodyguard for Motley Crue during the band’s live performance on Raw. He eventually joined The Corporation, WWE’s top heel faction at the time.
Martin was often described as a younger and more mobile Kevin Nash, and it looked as if he was going to get a big push after he entered into a story line relationship with Stephanie McMahon. But in a plot twist, Triple H and Stephanie hooked up and Martin never would advance past the mid-card.
He became a competent worker in the ring, and with his height (6 feet 6) and muscular physique, it’s surprising that he never got more of a push. It was most likely his lack of charisma that held him back.
In a decision that was heavily criticized, WWE released Martin while he was recovering from spinal fusion surgery. It was during that time that he posted the blog about Guerrero’s death. He wrote about the growing number of wrestlers who were addicted to prescription pain medication and accused WWE of having little regard for the well-being of its performers.
Despite his condemnation of WWE, Martin returned to the company in 2006 as a member of the ECW roster. He was released a little less than a year later shortly after receiving a 30-day suspension for violating WWE’s Wellness policy.
Martin last appeared on national television in 2007, when he had a short stint in TNA.
My condolences go out to Martin’s family and friends.
Comments
Well that's pretty sad. The guy was a good wrestler (the match between him and Edge on Edge's DVD collection is very good). I really thought he was going to get a big push when he was in ECW. I thought he was great as a heel jerk.
Posted by: Cliff | March 14, 2009 2:23 PM
Always liked "Test",one of my all time favorites who I could never understand didn't get the shot he deserved.After the Stephanie escapade,he pretty much faded into obscurity.By the way Kevin what was the name of the former Maryland football player with the peircings who ended up paralyzed ,was it Dombrowski,I remember it wasa Polish name,is he still living and if so, how is he doing.Maybe it started with a V.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Darren Drozdov. He writes for wwe.com occasionally.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | March 14, 2009 3:15 PM
This is very sad.
The news gave me a quite a jolt. The reason for that is last night I had a dream in which several current and former professional wrestlers were involved and Test was one of them. When I woke up I wondered if he would eventually return to the WWE. Then I got online and read the awful news.
I don't mean to sound spooky but that's what happened.
It's worth noting he would have turned 34 on Tuesday.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | March 14, 2009 3:23 PM
Sad to lose people we think to be very physically fit.
Posted by: Rick | March 14, 2009 3:40 PM
Considering his checkered past with WWE, I wonder what kind of tribute they will give him.
Posted by: Christopher | March 14, 2009 3:54 PM
I know he had a history of drug use. The same as some other notable wrestlers who had passed on because of the same. I wonder if he overdosed or mixed the drugs with alchohol which always ends up being fatal. It's always a huge loss when someone passes at a young age. I read on Kelly Kelly's myspace that she was very upset even though they were no longer dating but remained friends.
Posted by: Dave | March 14, 2009 4:23 PM
RIP Andrew Martin . Condolences to the family . I thought a few years ago he would be a major talent for a long time .
To answer his hypothetical question , in my opinion (of course not that I wish it to come true) Jake Roberts is following a path of an early demise . Hopefully in time he'll be able to maintain sobriety .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 14, 2009 4:55 PM
Kev , wasn't Martin one of the "Natural Born Thrillers" in wcw ?
RESPONSE FROM KE: No.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 14, 2009 5:31 PM
ya right, who is gonna be next???
i still miss eddie
Posted by: rob the barber | March 14, 2009 6:11 PM
I was never a fan of his in-ring work, but i always respected his honesty, intelligence and forthright nature.
His blogs made for both interesting and entertaining reading and it's still hard to believe he's gone.
R.I.P Andrew Martin
Posted by: John | March 14, 2009 6:27 PM
Wrestler disease strikes again.
Posted by: swobobafett | March 14, 2009 7:02 PM
This one hit like a jolt... I was a huge, huge fan of his relatively short WWECW stint and was bummed out when he left. I felt he was the perfect antagonist to Bobby Lashley at the time and their program was great as far as I was concerned, rose-coloured glasses or not.
Obviously I was really happy when he found his way up in TNA, but we all know how that turned out...
I always liked the way he did business and he seemed like a classy guy - opinionated, sure, but classy, and stuck to his guns at all times. I'll just have to paste this link for you all to conclude this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBdDKwqa8ZI
Posted by: Solomon | March 14, 2009 7:21 PM
I had him confused w/ Sean O'Haire :(
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 14, 2009 7:37 PM
RIP Andrew Martin 1975-2009
I was never a huge fan but I will definitely miss him. His storyline with Stacy Keibler in 02-03 was the best. I wish I could admit that I was one of his "Testicles."
Posted by: paul19 | March 14, 2009 8:02 PM
This is so sad. I haven't watched the WWF or WWE in years but the last time I watched iy, Test was a part of TNA. He was always one of my favorite wrestlers and I believed that he had true talent. My deepest condolences and sypmathy go out to his family. You will be truely missed, Andrew.
Posted by: Anna | March 14, 2009 11:27 PM
Booker T talked about Test at the TNA house show in Cincinnati tonight (3/14). He made a nice tribute (they were WWE tag team champs) and dedicated the match to Andrew.
http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321314
Posted by: T_SUM | March 15, 2009 12:54 AM
My favorite Test match was at the 2002 King of the Ring when he took on Brock Lesnar in the semifinals of the tournament. Everyone knew Brock was a lock to win but no one knew that it was going to be such a good match. The two worked well together and they did a great job of making it look like Test was going to win. Late in the match Test hit the Pump Handle Slam which looked pretty cool since Brock is such a big guy. That was followed by one of the sickest looking Big Boots of all time. The crowd popped with excitement and shock because it actually looked like Brock was going to stay down for the 3 count. Of course that didn't happen and that sneaky Paul Heyman interfered to help Brock gain the victory. At the time I thought WWE stumbled upon a good feud for the future but that never panned out. That's too bad because I think it would have been great for Andrew Martin's career. RIP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E502IV7embk
Posted by: jt | March 15, 2009 10:31 AM
he is great
Posted by: rahul meena | March 15, 2009 2:12 PM
I was saddend to hear the news about test. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Posted by: Barbara | March 15, 2009 4:51 PM
I knew andrew from Motley Crue, he was the bodyguard of all bodyguards, take care bud!
Posted by: joe | March 15, 2009 6:28 PM
I went to high school with Andrew in Whitby he was a great guy.RIP
Posted by: Browny | March 15, 2009 7:24 PM
It is sad to see such a young guy go way before his time. My condolences go to his family. The wrestling curse strikes once again.
Posted by: Seamus | March 15, 2009 10:25 PM
Poor guy. Despite the way some people denigrated his in-ring work, I always enjoyed watching him.Nothing said "finished" like Test's big boot!
Posted by: Martin | March 16, 2009 11:54 AM
there are to many WWE star's found dead this is really sad, who is next
Posted by: Kris buckler | March 19, 2009 3:41 PM
kris , a morbid prediction , but i say either jake roberts or jeff hardy :(
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 19, 2009 10:09 PM