Introduction
Andrew James Robert Patrick Martin, better known by his ring name “Test”, was a Canadian professional wrestler and actor. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE). His sudden death at the age of 33 shocked the wrestling world.
Early Life and Career
Born in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, in 1975, Andrew Martin got his start in professional wrestling after meeting WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart and fellow Canadian Bret Hart in a restaurant. “The Hitman” offered to train Martin, who obviously accepted, and the 6’6″, 280-pound youngster debuted on the independent scene in Canada in 1997, wrestling under the names T.J. Thunder and Martin Kane. He later moved to Florida to continue his training with Dory Funk Jr. and quickly got his big break when he signed with WWE in 1998.
Success in WWE
Martin made his debut for Vince McMahon in October 1998 on an episode of the now-defunct Sunday Night Heat on MTV, an episode in which Motley Crue performed live. Martin was written in as a bodyguard for the band and threw a fan off the stage, jumpstarting his WWE career, a career that got off to a hot start as he was placed in some very big storylines in his first year with the company.
Given the name Test, seemingly a play on testosterone, Martin teamed with The Rock in his in-ring debut in December 1998 and soon after joined The Corporation alongside the McMahon family, which was a pretty big deal for Test given how new he was to the business.
The Tragic End
On March 13, 2009, just four days before his 34th birthday, Andrew Martin was found dead at his condo in Tampa, Florida. It was later reported that the cause of death was an “accidental overdose of oxycodone, the addictive ingredient found in the painkiller Oxycontin.”
Conclusion
The untimely death of Andrew “Test” Martin was a tragic loss for the wrestling community. His story serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of prescription drug misuse. His legacy in the ring continues to be remembered by fans around the world.
