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==Death==
==Death==
Martin was found dead in his [[Tampa, Florida]] home on March 13, 2009. He was 33 years old, and the cause of his death is unknown.<ref name="Dead"/><ref name="Dead3"/>
Martin was found dead in his [[Tampa, Florida]] home on March 13, 2009. He was 33 years old, and the cause of his death is currently unknown.<ref name="Dead"/><ref name="Dead3"/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==

Revision as of 17:31, 15 March 2009

For other people named the Canadian wrestler, see the Canadian wrestler (disambiguation).
Andrew Martin
Born(1975-03-17)March 17, 1975[1]
Whitby, Ontario, Canada[1]
DiedMarch 13, 2009(2009-03-13) (aged 33)[2]
Tampa, Florida, USA
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Andrew Martin[1]
Big Foot
Martin Kane[1]
Test
T.J. Thunder[1]
Billed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)[1]
Billed weight280 lb (130 kg)[3]
Billed fromToronto, Ontario
Trained byLeo Burke[1]
Dory Funk, Jr.[1]
Bret Hart[1]
Debut1997[4]
Retired2008

Andrew James Robert Patrick Martin (March 17, 1975 – March 13, 2009)[2] was a Canadian professional wrestler. Under the ring name Test, Martin wrestled for World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) from 1998–2004, and 2006–2007. Most recently, he worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name "'The Punisher' Andrew Martin".[4] In 2005, Andrew Martin legally changed his name to "Andrew Test Martin" allowing him the rights to the name "Test" after his WWE contract expired.

While under contract with WWF/WWE, Martin held various championship titles as a single competitor, such as the Intercontinental, European and Hardcore Championships. Martin also claimed various titles while teaming with another wrestler, including the WWF and WCW tag team championships with Booker T.

On March 13, 2009, Martin was found dead in his Tampa Bay apartment. The cause of death has not been determined; however, police believe that foul play was not a factor. Police were called in after a neighbor reported Martin appearing motionless for several hours, with Martin being seen though a window outside of his apartment.[5][6][7][8]

Professional wrestling career

In the late 1990s, Martin met professional wrestler Bret Hart in a restaurant. After Hart offered to train him, Martin spent eight months training under Bret and Leo Burke. He debuted in 1997, wrestling on the Canadian independent circuit under the ring names "Martin Kane" and "T.J. Thunder". Martin furthered his training under Dory Funk, Jr. at Funk's Funkin' Dojo.[1]

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (1998–2004)

Martin debuted in the World Wrestling Federation on the October 25, 1998 episode of Sunday Night Heat as an unnamed bodyguard for the band Mötley Crüe, which was performing on Sunday Night Heat. In a staged event, Martin threw an overzealous fan off the stage during the band's rehearsal.[9] On the December 14, 1998 episode of Raw is War, Martin aligned himself with WWF Champion The Rock by attacking Rock's rival Triple H.[1] Martin went on to join The Corporation. He received the ring name Test; The Rock noted in an interview that Triple H would have to "pass the Test" before facing him.[9]

After being ousted from the Corporation, Test became a fan favorite and joined a stable that included Big Show, Mankind, and Ken Shamrock. Dubbed "The Union", the group briefly feuded with the Corporation before quietly disbanding.[9] They were known for carrying 2" by 4" pieces of lumber to the ring with them.

He began an onscreen relationship with Stephanie McMahon, and the two eventually got engaged after he defeated Shane McMahon—who disapproved of Test—in a "love her or leave her" match at SummerSlam 1999.[9] After The British Bulldog hit Stephanie with a trash can, she developed amnesia. Plans for the wedding continued until Triple H showed a video which revealed that he had drugged Stephanie and taken her to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they were married in a drive-through ceremony. Stephanie turned on Test and sided with Triple H, ushering in the McMahon-Helmsley Era.[9]

Test would be pushed down the card, and eventually turned heel again and formed a tag team with Albert, known as T & A (Test and Albert), under the tutelage of Trish Stratus. T and A disbanded in early 2001 when Albert turned on Test at the orders of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.[9] After the split, Test tossed William Regal out of the ring when he entered the 2001 Royal Rumble and subsequently defeated him the next night on Raw is War for the WWF European Championship.[9] Test then feuded with Eddie Guerrero, losing the championship to him at WrestleMania X-Seven following interference from Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn.[9]

Later in 2001, Test joined The Alliance in retaliation for being attacked by the APA, who were suspicious of Test's friendship with Shane McMahon (prior to Shane's heel turn and the formation of the ECW half of the Alliance).[9] He went on to pin Bradshaw at SummerSlam, win the tag team titles with Booker T, and beat Kane at No Mercy.

He then feuded with Edge, losing to him at Survivor Series in a match in which the WCW United States Championship and the WWF Intercontinental Championship, which he had taken from Edge two weeks prior on Raw, were unified.[9] On the same night, he won a battle royal which granted him immunity from being fired for a year after attacking and taking the place of Scotty 2 Hotty. For a brief period of time he threw his weight around, attacking non-wrestlers. This gimmick was dropped, and Test's immunity was not mentioned again.

In 2002, Test proceeded to the semi-finals of the King of the Ring tournament, facing the eventual winner, Brock Lesnar. He eventually downed Lesnar with a running Big Boot and pinned Lesnar. However, Paul Heyman prevented the referee from making the three count. This gave Lesnar the opportunity he needed to recover and pinned Test for the three count after an F-5. Test later formed "The Un-Americans" along with Lance Storm, Christian, and William Regal, culminating in a match with The Undertaker at Summerslam which he would lose.[9]

In October 2002, Stacy Keibler became Test's onscreen girlfriend and "image consultant". She instructed him to cut his hair and switch his customary leather trousers for short tights. Stacy dubbed Test's fans "Testicles", theorizing that The Rock had the people, Kane had the Kaneanites, and Hulk Hogan had the Hulkamaniacs, so Test should have the Testicles.[9] Test feuded with Chris Jericho after he "accidentally" knocked out Stacy with a chair shot aimed at Test, eliminating him from the 2003 Royal Rumble.

Test formed a tag team with the returning Scott Steiner, and began to mistreat Stacy after he became suspicious of her relationship with Steiner. The partners split and began vying for Stacy's managerial services. Test eventually defeated Steiner, winning the services of Stacy and announcing his intentions to "make her my whore". He defeated Steiner again, forcing him to become Test's manservant.[9] Steiner then attacked Stacy, blaming her for having to take orders from another man. Test freed Steiner from his obligation, and the pair became a tag team once again and treated Keibler like a slave. The two challenged for the World Tag Team Championship on more than one occasion, but came up short. They were then fired by Mick Foley, who was the guest General Manager for two nights, but were re-hired by Raw General Manager, Eric Bishoff. Keibler, however, was now a free woman. One of his last major feuds before being injured was with Steven Richards, which started after Test kicked Victoria right in the jaw with his big boot. They fought on several occasions on WWE Heat with Richards gaining the upper-hand.

Martin underwent spinal fusion surgery in July 2004 under Dr. Lloyd Youngblood. On November 1, 2004, he was released from his WWE contract along with A-Train and Billy Gunn.[10]

Test making his enterance on ECW.

Independent circuit (2005)

Test returned to the ring in May 2005, and began accepting bookings with various independent promotions. One of his most notable victories during this tenure was against TNA wrestler Samoa Joe. His most prominent role in the independent circuit was in Kishi's Nu-Wrestling Evolution promotion in Italy, where he took on the ring name "Big Foot", due to his "big boot" finishing move.

Return to World Wrestling Entertainment (2006–2007)

On March 22, 2006,WWE announced that Test had verbally agreed to return to WWE after competing in dark matches before Raw and SmackDown!.[9] Subsequently, vignettes began to play during ECW on Sci Fi, announcing that Test was coming to the ECW brand of WWE. He made his debut on the July 4, 2006 episode of ECW, defeating Al Snow, and punting Head into the crowd after the victory.[9][11] Test played a vicious monster heel, as opposed to the somewhat arrogant heel he played in the past. This led to Test receiving a fairly large push which resulted in Test being victorious for the entirety of 2006 in the ECW program (with the exception of his loss with Team Big Show at Survivor Series and being eliminated in the Extreme Elimination Chamber at December to Dismember). His victories included defeats over the likes of Tommy Dreamer (on more than one occasion), Balls Mahoney, Sabu, The FBI, Hardcore Holly, and most notably, Rob Van Dam, in a memorable and well-performed Extreme Rules Match. Test's first real angle in ECW placed him as part of a feud between new ECW and old ECW stars, first teaming up with Mike Knox, and enveloping other newcomers, Big Show and Matt Striker, against "ECW Originals" Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and The Sandman.[9]

On November 7, Test defeated Tommy Dreamer to earn a spot in the Extreme Elimination Chamber at December to Dismember. At December to Dismember, Test competed in the Extreme Elimination Chamber for the ECW World Championship and eliminated Hardcore Holly and Van Dam before being pinned by eventual winner Bobby Lashley.[9] He would fail to defeat Lashley in three consecutive matches (the last match could be contested by some as unfair, as Lashley back-body dropped Test onto the unpadded concrete floor in a rules intact match), as well as a title match at the 2007 Royal Rumble and a title rematch on the January 30 episode of ECW. This was his last television appearance.[9]

On February 18, Raw commentator Jim Ross confirmed that Test had been suspended for 30 days for violating the WWE "Wellness Program".[12] The next week, on February 27, Test was released from his WWE contract.[13][14] Martin released a statement through his MySpace saying that the release was mutual and he'd requested it.[15]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)

Martin, identified as "The new Enforcer in TNA", "The Punisher" Andrew Martin, debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during the August 2, 2007 episode of TNA Impact!. Martin aligned himself with Abyss and Sting by helping them defeat A.J. Styles and Christian Cage in a tag team ladder match thus making him a face.[4][16] At Hard Justice, Martin, Abyss, and Sting defeated A.J. Styles, Christian Cage, and Tomko (Christian's Coalition) in a Doomsday Chamber of Blood match after Styles was Black Hole Slammed into a pile of broken glass and pinned by Abyss. He was released from TNA shortly afterwards due to concerns over his physical size and TNA being investigated by the United States Congress.[17]

Retirement

On December 19, 2007, Martin announced his retirement from professional wrestling.[18] Martin stated that he would do one final tour of Ireland in March 2008 and then retire permanently. He mentioned that he did not want to be a wrestler who, despite talk of retirement, persistently returns.[19]

Death

Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Florida home on March 13, 2009. He was 33 years old, and the cause of his death is currently unknown.[2][18]

Personal life

Martin was previously in a relationship with fellow wrestler Stacy Keibler.[9] He also had a relationship with WWE diva Barbie Blank, better known by her ring name Kelly Kelly. On March 27, 2008, Kelly appeared on a Orlando radio station, the Monsters, and disclosed their relationship with reluctance.

Martin was arrested for driving under the influence in Pasco County on April 5, 2008.[20][21] He was booked into jail, but was released on April 6, after posting bail.[20]

In wrestling

Championship and accomplishments

  • Wild West Wrestling
    • WWW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oliver, G. "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Test". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Former WWE Wrestler found dead in Tampa apartment". 10 Connects. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  3. ^ "Test Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
  4. ^ a b c d Finch, B. (2007-08-05). "Who Is Andrew Martin Out To Punish In TNA Wrestling?". TNAWrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-08-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)[dead link]
  5. ^ Castillo and Seth Mates, Alfonso Castillo and Seth Mates. "Andrew "Test" Martin Found Dead at 33". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-03-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Eck, Kevin (2009-03-14). "Former WWE star Test found dead". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  7. ^ "Test passes away". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  8. ^ "TNA Remembers Andrew "Test" Martin". 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Capsule Profile 335: Test". The Wrestler/Inside Wrestling. Kappa Publications. June 2007. p. 18. Volume 15, 2007. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ Clevett, J. (2004-11-01). "WWE releases Gunn, Albert & Test". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "South Philly Screwjob". WWE. 2006-07-04. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  12. ^ Ross, Jim. "Hall of Fame.. Big Show.. Woody/Iraq.. AD/NFL.. Taker's Gloves.. Texas Hold 'Em.. Texas Dolly.. Last Voice Heard on Nitro.. Cornette's Temper". J.R.'s Blog. Retrieved 2007-02-27. Yes, Test has been suspended for violating the WWE Wellness Program. I assume this is a 30 violation.[dead link]
  13. ^ "Test released". Retrieved 2007-02-27. As first reported by WWE Mobile Alerts, WWE has come to terms on the release of ECW Superstar Test (Andrew Martin). We wish Test all the best in all future endeavors.
  14. ^ MacKinder, M. (2007-02-27). "Test turfed by WWE". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  15. ^ "Andrew "Test" Martin issues statement on his release from WWE today". Wrestle View (via MySpace). Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  16. ^ a b Wojcik, A. (2007-07-31). "TNA Impact spoilers from Orlando". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  17. ^ Bluth, Michael (2007-09-05). "Test Already Gone From TNA". Rajah. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  18. ^ a b "Former WWE wrestler found dead in Tampa". Bay News 9. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  19. ^ Moniz,S. (2007-12-19). "Test Announces His Retirement". Wrestle-Comlex.com. Retrieved 2007-12-19.[dead link]
  20. ^ a b "Former World Wrestler Andrew "Test" Martin arrested for DUI". ABCnews. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  21. ^ Bluth, Michael (2008-04-07). "Andrew "Test" Martin Arrested For Driving Under the Influence (DUI)". Lords Of Pain. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  22. ^ Powell, J. (1999-08-23). "Foley new champ at SummerSlam". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. [Test] pumphandle slams McMahon then lands a flying elbow smash on him for the win. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  23. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-07-01). "RAW: RVD comes close". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. That gives Test a chance to plant her with a pumphandle slam and cover her for the pinfall.
  24. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-05-06). "Raw: Beer bash". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test goes for the big boot.
  25. ^ MacKinder, M. (2006-10-04). "ECW: RVD can't pass the Test". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test then nails his F-5/RKO/neckbreaker move and wins.
  26. ^ Dunham, J. (2003-10-17). "Smackdown Countdown 2003: Test". IGN. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  27. ^ Saunders, M. (2002-01-06). "WWF rocks Fredericton". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test puts RVD in a bear hug.
  28. ^ Birdwell, D. (2001-02-25). "411's WWF Jakked Report 2.25.01". 411mania. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test catches Essa with a Gutwrench Powerbomb.
  29. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-05-06). "Raw: Beer bash". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test actually manages to hold his own, hitting a pumphandle slam and a full nelson slam.
  30. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-10-28). "Raw: I.C. title lost and won". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  31. ^ Oliver, G. (1999-08-03). "Shane and Stephanie an interesting interview". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  32. ^ Zerr, S. (2000-05-29). "Jericho came tumblin' down". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  33. ^ MacKinder, M. (2006-10-18). "ECW: RVD's last chance". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  34. ^ Sokol, C. (2005-09-27). "Promoters reflect on successful Wrestlefest". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  35. ^ Oliver, G. (2006-02-08). "TNA psyched for primetime". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  36. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2001". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2009-03-14.

External links


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