There is sad news coming out of the pro wrestling world with word that Andrew Martin, best known as "Test" to WWE fans, was found at the age of 33.
Thankfully, the spate of premature deaths among former wrestling stars seemed to slow down during 2008. But the passing of Martin - a pretty key figure in WWE during its "Attitude" era boon of the late 1990s - is a very significant one.
Martin took part in several WrestleManias, included WrestleMania X-Seven, at which he defended his European champiosnhip against the late Eddie Guerrero. He was also at the center of memorable angle in which he was set to marry Stephanie McMahon.
As always, it is much too early to jump to any conclusions about the cause of Martin's death, but his reputation - and his massive muscles - certainly were certainly well known in wrestling business, and were, reportedly, part of the reason he became something of a liability in his most recent runs in WWE and TNA.
Here is the story from the Pro Wrestling Torch:
Former WWE star Andrew "Test" Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Fla. apartment on Friday night, according to a report by PWInsider.com. Martin was 33 years old and nearing his birthday on March 17.
After being released by WWE in 2006 when he was on the ECW brand, Martin re-surfaced in TNA where he had a brief run until being released from the company.
Martin semi-retired from pro wrestling, then he was arrested on a drunk driving charge in Florida one year ago.
Martin was formerly in a relationship with WWE diva Kelly Kelly, who said in a February interview on the Bubba Love Sponge radio show that they remained close friends after their relationship ended.
Asked if Martin being released from WWE while Kelly was still with WWE had an effect on their relationship, Kelly said that was a strong factor.
"He's never been one at home waiting around," Kelly said. "He's on the other side of the coin now. I think that had a lot to do with it." She said Martin was planning to attend school to become a personal trainer.
No further details on the cause of death are known right now.
Wow.. A sad day for Wrestling fans all over the world. One of the greatest guys to step into the ring in my opinion, and one of my favourites throughout the 90's and early 2000's.
I'm outright shocked right now.
R.I.P. Andrew "Test" Martin
1975-2009
