Andrew Martin, better known by his ring name Test, was a Canadian professional wrestler who worked for WWE from 1998 to 2004. He was involved in some of the biggest storylines of the Attitude Era, such as his romance with Stephanie McMahon and his feud with Triple H. He also won several championships, including the Intercontinental, European, and Hardcore titles. However, his life and career were cut short by a tragic overdose of prescription painkillers in 2009. This article will explore the life, career, and death of Test, and how his case highlights the dangers of drug abuse in the wrestling industry.
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Early Life and Training
Test was born on March 17, 1975, in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. He was interested in sports and music from a young age, and played football and basketball in high school. He also played guitar and drums, and was a fan of rock bands like Metallica and Motley Crue.
Test got his start in wrestling after meeting WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart in a restaurant. Hart offered to train him, and Test accepted. He spent eight months training under Hart and Leo Burke, a Canadian wrestling legend. He then moved to Florida to train with Dory Funk Jr., another wrestling icon. He debuted on the Canadian independent circuit in 1997, using the names Martin Kane and T.J. Thunder.
WWE Debut and Rise to Fame
Test caught the attention of WWE scouts and signed a contract with the company in 1998. He made his debut on an episode of Sunday Night Heat as a bodyguard for Motley Crue, who were performing live on the show. He threw an overzealous fan off the stage, which impressed WWE officials.
Test soon joined The Corporation, a heel faction led by Vince McMahon. He teamed up with The Rock and became one of the top enforcers of the group. He also began a storyline relationship with Stephanie McMahon, Vince’s daughter. The two got engaged, but their wedding was interrupted by Triple H, who revealed that he had drugged and married Stephanie in Las Vegas. This turned Stephanie heel and started a long rivalry between Test and Triple H.
Test continued to be a prominent figure in WWE throughout 2000 and 2001. He won his first title, the European Championship, by defeating William Regal. He then formed a tag team with Albert, known as T&A (Test and Albert), and they were managed by Trish Stratus. He also won the Hardcore Championship twice, and the Intercontinental Championship once.
In late 2001, Test joined The Alliance, a group of former WCW and ECW wrestlers who invaded WWE. He became one of the leaders of the faction, along with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle. He won the WCW Tag Team Championship with Booker T, and also became the first person to hold both the European and Hardcore titles simultaneously.
Decline and Departure
After The Alliance was defeated at Survivor Series 2001, Test’s career began to decline. He lost his titles and became a mid-carder. He had brief feuds with Edge, Scott Steiner, Chris Jericho, and others, but failed to regain his momentum. He also had several gimmick changes, such as becoming a motivational speaker, a rock star, and an anti-American heel.
Test left WWE in 2004 after being released from his contract. He later claimed that he was unhappy with his role in the company and wanted to pursue other opportunities.
Post-WWE Career and Personal Life
After leaving WWE, Test wrestled for various independent promotions around the world. He also worked for TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling from 2006 to 2007, where he used his real name Andrew Martin. He had feuds with Abyss, Sting, Christian Cage, and others.
Test also tried his hand at acting, appearing in several movies and TV shows. He starred in an action film called Hush Little Baby in 2007, and had guest roles in shows like Mutant X and Dark Rising.
Test dated several women in the wrestling industry during his career. He was romantically involved with Stacy Keibler from 2001 to 2005, and Kelly Kelly from 2007 to 2009.
Death and Legacy
On March 13, 2009, Test was found dead in his apartment in Tampa, Florida. He was only 33 years old. His neighbors had noticed that he had been lying on his couch for several hours without moving. They called the police, who broke into his apartment and discovered his body.
A toxicology report revealed that Test had died from an accidental overdose of oxycodone, a powerful opioid painkiller that is highly addictive. According to The Sportscasting, Test had been suffering from chronic pain and depression, and had become dependent on the drug. He had also been arrested for driving under the influence a few months before his death.
Test’s death was a shock to the wrestling world, and many of his former colleagues and friends expressed their condolences and tributes. WWE also acknowledged his passing and offered their sympathy to his family.
Test’s brain was donated to the Sports Legacy Institute, a research organization that studies the effects of concussions and brain trauma on athletes. The results showed that Test had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that is caused by repeated head injuries. CTE can cause memory loss, mood swings, aggression, depression, and dementia. Test was the second wrestler to be diagnosed with CTE, after Chris Benoit, who killed his wife, son, and himself in 2007.
Test’s death and CTE diagnosis raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and head trauma in wrestling. Many wrestlers have died prematurely from similar causes, such as Eddie Guerrero, Umaga, Chyna, and Brian Pillman. WWE has since implemented stricter drug testing policies and concussion protocols to prevent further tragedies.
Test was a talented wrestler who had a promising career in WWE. He was involved in some of the most memorable angles and matches of the Attitude Era, and won several championships. He also had a charismatic personality and a loyal fan base. However, his life was cut short by a tragic overdose of prescription painkillers, which was linked to his chronic pain and depression. His death also revealed that he had CTE, a brain disease that is caused by repeated head injuries. Test’s case highlights the dangers of drug abuse and head trauma in wrestling, and the need for more awareness and prevention. Test’s legacy is that of a talented wrestler who entertained millions of fans, but also a cautionary tale of the dark side of the wrestling industry.
