*Update* The Sun out of the United Kingdom has reported that the official cause of death for Andrew Martin was ‘oxycodone intoxication’. Oxycodone is a type of pain reliever that if misused can be as addictive as morphine.

On March 13, Andrew Martin, better known to WWE fans as Test, was found dead at his Tampa Florida home, he was only 33.

A neighbour notified police when she could see Martin motionless for several hours through his window. No foul play is expected, and the autopsy date has not yet been set. It is rumoured that pain killers and steroids were found in Martin’s room. I will let you know when more details become available.

Andrew Martin was born March 17, 1975 in Whitby, Ontario. After being discovered by Bret Hart and WWE Canada President Carl DeMarco at a WWE VIP party (that Martin snuck his way into) in a Toronto Planet Hollywood. He went to train with the legendary Dory Funk Jr. with a future all-star cast of youngsters that included Adam “Edge” Copeland, and Jay “Christian” Reso.

After a short while on the Canadian indy wrestling circuit Martin was signed by WWE and appeared first as a roadie during a Motley Crue performance on the October 25, 1998 edition of Raw. He then became a body guard to Vince McMahon’s ’Corporation’ stable. Martin was given the name ‘Test’ by The Rock when he was pitted against Triple H and Rock said that his foe had to “pass the test” before facing him.

His biggest angle came with his on-air relationship to Stephanie McMahon and almost marriage. The wedding took place on Raw and was broken up by Triple H when he showed a video of them getting married at a Vegas drive through chapel. Stephanie was passed out in the car. In my book this is where Test really got screwed over. Instead of an obvious high profile feud with Triple H, Test was disposed of quickly with little build.

Next he teamed with Albert and Trish Stratus to form T & A, but the team never attained the tag team titles. Test also was part of the mid card faction “The UnAmericans” who were an anti-U.S.A. group. He was released by the company on November 1, 2004 following July spinal fusion surgery.

Test would be resigned and made his debut on the ECW brand July 4, 2006 by defeating Al Snow. He was pushed as a monster heel and appeared in the Elimination Chamber at the December to Dismember pay-per-view. Test was released on February 27, 2007 following a WWE wellness policy 30 day suspension.

Martin had a brief stint in August of 2007 for TNA as “The Punisher” Andrew Martin, but was released due to his physical size and that TNA was being investigated by U.S. congress.

Andrew Martin officially retired from pro-wrestling following a March 2008 tour of Ireland. He had made wise investments and did not need to wrestle any more.

Heart felt sympathies go out to Andrew Martin’s family.

Andy McNamara is a SLAM! Wrestling writer, and play-by-play broadcaster for Toronto Maple Leafs inter-county league baseball, along with hockey, basketball, and volleyball on Rogers Television in Toronto. He is also the Host of Oakville Blades hockey on TV Cogeco. Contact Andy at andymcnamara@hotmail.com

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