Wrestling Spoilers & Rumors

Yesterday Andrew Martin, who was better known to wrestling fans as “Test” was found dead in his apartment at just 33 years of age.

It is believed that his body was spotted lying on the floor of his apartment by a neighbour, who in turn called the police.

As of yet, the authorities have not released the cause of his death, however it is not believed that any foul play is suspected.

Both the WWE and TNA have released statements on their websites, with TNA’s being rather brief, with the WWE noting that Martin was fired from the company because he failed a drugs test, whilst not missing an opportunity to have a swipe at TNA, pointing out the fact he was hired by them after doing so.

As well as statements from both companies, WWE Diva “Kelly Kelly”, who was in a relationship with Martin for some time released an emotional statement about him, which is viewable on her myspace profile.

Andrew Martin made his WWE raw debut in December 1998, aligning himself with the Corporation faction, gaining the nickname “Test”.

After being removed from the faction, he aligned himself with the rival faction “The Union”, along with Mankind, Ken Shamrock and “The Big Show”.

In mid 1999, he would get involved in a story line where he would have an on screen relationship with Stephanie McMahon, which resulted in him feuding with Shane McMahon and his “Mean Street Posse”. Their on screen relationship would end when Stephanie married Triple H at the end of the year.

Test would then team with Albert, managed by Trish Stratus, having some success in the tag team division, before disbanding in early 2001.

As a singles wrestler, Test captured the WWF European Championship from William Regal, only to loose it at WrestleMania X-Seven to Eddie Guerrero. During the “Invasion” storyline of 2001, Test joined the WCW/ECW alliance, and would win the tag team titles for a short period of time with Booker T at Summerslam after they defeated the APA. However at the 2001 Survivor Series he would loose a match to Edge, unifying the WCW United States Championship and the WWF Intercontinental Championship.

Despite this, Test remained fairly strong on screen, and would reach the Semi Finals of the 2002 King Of The Ring tournament, loosing to the eventual winner Brock Lesnar. He would also form “The Un-Americans” stable, along with Lance Storm, Christian, and William Regal, which culminated in a match at Summerslam against The Undertaker.

Later in 2002, with Stacy Keibler as his onscreen girlfriend and “image consultant”, he would under go a new look, cutting his hair and wearing shorter ring attire, before teaming and eventually feuding with Scott Steiner. In a bizarre set of story lines the pair would actually then re-team up, challenging unsuccessfully for the tag team titles, before being fired and then re-hired onscreen by Mick Foley and Eric Bischoff!

In July 2004 he underwent spinal fusion surgery and was released from the company whilst recovering from the operation.

After a stint on the Independent Circuit, he returned to the WWE in 2006, as part of the new ECW roster. Whilst playing an aggressive villan, he received a large push, often feuding against the “ECW Originals”, alongside some of the newer wrestlers.

He appeared in the main event of the only ECW only branded pay per view “December to Dismember”, before embarking on a loosing streak to the then ECW champion Bobby Lashley.

He would then be suspended and later released from the company for violating the WWE “Wellness Program”.

In August 2007 Andrew Martin joined TNA as “’The Punisher”. Martin aligned himself with Abyss and Sting and would compete at Hard Justice 2007, alongside Abyss, and Sting defeating A.J. Styles, Christian Cage, and Tomko.

Andrew Martin was released from TNA shortly afterward due to concerns over his physical size, and TNA being investigated by the United States Congress.