piratecooper
15-03-2009, 09:37 PM
THE wrestling world is in mourning following the death of Andrew Martin, best known as former WWE intercontinental and tag team champion Test.
He was just 33-years-old.
Police in Tampa, Florida, were called to his home at 8pm on Friday night after his neighbour reported she could see a man lying motionless inside.
The officers forced entry and found Martin dead.
His body was taken to the local Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The popular star had previously had problems with steroids and alcohol.
Only a few weeks ago Test – who semi-retired from the grappling business in 2007– spoke out on not becoming a casualty after seeing so many other wrestlers die young, including friend and mentor Eddie Guerrero.
He wrote on his MySpace page: “They say nobody retires from wrestling.
“I can't tell you how much I hate to see guys keep working long after they should be dead or permanently disabled.
“You have to ask yourself what is your health worth? To me? You can't put a price on it!
“So what are you wrestling for? One man's greed so he might throw you a bone?
“I loved wrestling, it was good to me. I'm still young, I'm in the shape of my life, I've got some money tucked away.
“I never got into wrestling to be rich and famous.”
He also spoke out after Guerrero’s passing in 2005, saying too many wrestlers were taking painkillers to mask injuries for fear of losing their jobs.
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At the time, an angry Martin wrote: “I'm actually wondering who's next to die.
“I can think of at least 15 to 20 people who have died from various things mostly prescription painkillers.
He added: “When I started wrestling I had never seen or heard of vicodin or percocet or soma.
“How come so many wrestlers die from these medications and football players and hockey players don't?”
Although never capturing the world championship in the WWE, Test won the federation’s intercontinental, European, hardcore and tag titles.
In his peak in the late 90s, he was regularly involved in storylines with The Rock, Triple H and the McMahon family.
He was just as popular outside of the ring and enjoyed high-profile relationships with Divas Stacy Keibler and Kelly Kelly.
Martin's last stint in the WWE lasted from 2006-2007 but he left under a cloud after falling foul of the company’s Wellness Policy.
The policy was introduced after the death of Guerrero – and strengthened after the Chris Benoit murder-suicides – partly to counter the painkiller abuse Martin had previously criticised.
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Questions over his steroid usage also stopped rival wrestling company TNA giving him a full-time job shortly afterwards, despite his successful appearances for them.
In April 2008, Martin made news headlines when he was arrested on a drink-driving charge in Florida.
Test announced that he was leaving the grappling business in December 2007 – although had just toured Japan and was planning on wrestling in Europe later this month.
Kelly Kelly – who was still very close to her former flame – led the tributes.
She said: “You were my world, my best friend, the one I always ran to.
“You were always there for me. What happened to our plan? Why did God take you away from me?
“My heart is always with you and you only. I know you're in heaven watching over me now, my angel.”
The WWE also posted a message on their website saying: “World Wrestling Entertainment has been made aware of the passing of Andrew Martin.
“The WWE extends its deepest condolences to the Martin family.
“Mr Martin was under contract with WWE at various time periods and performed under the name Test.
“He last performed for the WWE in February 2007.”
There are no further details as yet on the cause of death or funeral arrangements.
Martin was just a few days away from celebrating his 34th birthday.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article2319993.ece
He was just 33-years-old.
Police in Tampa, Florida, were called to his home at 8pm on Friday night after his neighbour reported she could see a man lying motionless inside.
The officers forced entry and found Martin dead.
His body was taken to the local Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The popular star had previously had problems with steroids and alcohol.
Only a few weeks ago Test – who semi-retired from the grappling business in 2007– spoke out on not becoming a casualty after seeing so many other wrestlers die young, including friend and mentor Eddie Guerrero.
He wrote on his MySpace page: “They say nobody retires from wrestling.
“I can't tell you how much I hate to see guys keep working long after they should be dead or permanently disabled.
“You have to ask yourself what is your health worth? To me? You can't put a price on it!
“So what are you wrestling for? One man's greed so he might throw you a bone?
“I loved wrestling, it was good to me. I'm still young, I'm in the shape of my life, I've got some money tucked away.
“I never got into wrestling to be rich and famous.”
He also spoke out after Guerrero’s passing in 2005, saying too many wrestlers were taking painkillers to mask injuries for fear of losing their jobs.
Popular
At the time, an angry Martin wrote: “I'm actually wondering who's next to die.
“I can think of at least 15 to 20 people who have died from various things mostly prescription painkillers.
He added: “When I started wrestling I had never seen or heard of vicodin or percocet or soma.
“How come so many wrestlers die from these medications and football players and hockey players don't?”
Although never capturing the world championship in the WWE, Test won the federation’s intercontinental, European, hardcore and tag titles.
In his peak in the late 90s, he was regularly involved in storylines with The Rock, Triple H and the McMahon family.
He was just as popular outside of the ring and enjoyed high-profile relationships with Divas Stacy Keibler and Kelly Kelly.
Martin's last stint in the WWE lasted from 2006-2007 but he left under a cloud after falling foul of the company’s Wellness Policy.
The policy was introduced after the death of Guerrero – and strengthened after the Chris Benoit murder-suicides – partly to counter the painkiller abuse Martin had previously criticised.
Advertisement
Questions over his steroid usage also stopped rival wrestling company TNA giving him a full-time job shortly afterwards, despite his successful appearances for them.
In April 2008, Martin made news headlines when he was arrested on a drink-driving charge in Florida.
Test announced that he was leaving the grappling business in December 2007 – although had just toured Japan and was planning on wrestling in Europe later this month.
Kelly Kelly – who was still very close to her former flame – led the tributes.
She said: “You were my world, my best friend, the one I always ran to.
“You were always there for me. What happened to our plan? Why did God take you away from me?
“My heart is always with you and you only. I know you're in heaven watching over me now, my angel.”
The WWE also posted a message on their website saying: “World Wrestling Entertainment has been made aware of the passing of Andrew Martin.
“The WWE extends its deepest condolences to the Martin family.
“Mr Martin was under contract with WWE at various time periods and performed under the name Test.
“He last performed for the WWE in February 2007.”
There are no further details as yet on the cause of death or funeral arrangements.
Martin was just a few days away from celebrating his 34th birthday.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article2319993.ece