RIP Andrew "Test" Martin another tragic Pro Wrestling death.
"It is out unfortunate duty to report that just 4 days before his 34th birthday former WWE star Test, real name Andrew Martin, has passed away. He was discovered in his Tampa, Florida apartment.
Authorities on the scene are keeping any details closely sealed, and it would be wrong to speculate at this time.
Test became one of the bigger characters during the boom period known as the Attitude Era after being discovered by Bret Hart and tutored by Hall of Fame inductee Dory Funk Jr. He debuted in the then WWF when on an episode of Heat in 1998 he threw a fan off the stage during a special performance by band Motley Crue. This early gimmick was as an enforcer/bodyguard type, and he had a solid run in the big Corporation angle, as well as the formation of the Stephanie McMahon Helmsley era where he played Stephanies first on air love interest.
Test would later find himself in the tag ranks with partner Albert A-Train and manager Trish Stratus. He seemed to get a fair share of hot managers, as Stacy Keibler also took to his side in 2002 as he joined forces with Scott Steiner. Martin and Keibler developed a strong personal realtionship around this time.
In 2004 he had to undergo neck and spinal surgery and in a crass move by WWE was released before fully healing. Many cited this as a point where Martin turned to substances to get through recovery.
After a run on the Indy scene Test was brought back to WWE in 2006 to appear on the ECW brand, but was released a few months later after failing the Wellness policy and clearly having personal issues. He was dating Diva Kelly Kelly at the time.
His last national exposure came with TNA wrestling, although the run was universally panned when Martin was clearly artificially big. He was released after only a few appearances so the company could save face during a time when wrestlings drug culture was under high scrutiny.
Martin continued to have problems outside of the ring. He was arrested for DUI in April 2008, and reportedly saved from an accidental OD from WWE Diva Kelly Kelly. He even tried to escape the wrestling bubble, revealing his retirement on Myspace, only to return a few weeks later.
WrestlingTruth.coms thoughts are with Martins family and friends during their time of need."
Andrew 'Test' Martin 1975-2009 Photos and Video Tributes
