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Test (wrestler)

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

Andrew Test Martin (March 17, 1975 – March 13, 2009)[4] 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.[3] In 2005, Martin legally changed his name to "Andrew Test Martin" allowing him the rights to the name "Test" after his WWE contract expired.[citation needed]

While under contract with WWF/WWE, Martin enjoyed success as a singles competitor, becoming an Intercontinental Champion, European Champion and Hardcore Champion. Martin was also successful in the Tag team division, becoming a WWF and WCW World Tag Team Champion with Booker T.

On March 13, 2009, Martin was found dead in his Tampa apartment. His death was later ruled an accidental overdose of Oxycodone by the medical examiner's office in Hillsborough County, Florida.[5]

Professional wrestling career

In the mid 1990s, Martin met professional wrestler Bret Hart in a restaurant. After Hart offered to train him to wrestle, Martin spent eight months training under the teachings of Bret and Leo Burke. Martin debuted in 1997, wrestling on the Canadian independent circuit under the ring name "Martin Kane" and "T.J. Thunder". Martin continued his training with Dory Funk, Jr. at Funk's Funkin' Dojo, a training center.[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, whom were performing on the show. In a scripted event, Martin threw an overzealous fan off the stage during the band's rehearsal.[6] On the December 14, 1998 episode of Raw is War, Martin aligned himself with WWF Champion The Rock by attacking The Rock's rival Triple H.[1] Martin went on to join The Corporation, a wrestling stable consisting of numerous other wrestlers. During this time, he received the ring name "Test".[6]

After being removed from the Corporation, Martin 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.[6] They were known for carrying 2" by 4" pieces of lumber to the ring with them.

Test at December to Dismember.

Martin then began an onscreen relationship with Stephanie McMahon after he defeated Shane McMahon in a match, at SummerSlam in 1999, which led to an onscreen engagement between Stephanie and Martin.[6] Later in the storyline, The British Bulldog hit Stephanie with a trash can, which caused her to develop amnesia. Plans for the wedding continued however, until Triple H showed a video which revealed that he had given Stephanie drugs and taken her to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they were married in a drive-through ceremony. Stephanie turned on Test and aligned with Triple H, ushering in the McMahon-Helmsley Era.[6] Test would soon turn into a villain and form a tag team with Albert. The two were known as T & A, Test and Albert, and were managed onscreen by Trish Stratus. T & A disbanded in early 2001 when Albert turned on Test at the orders of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley.[6]

Again a single wrestler, Test eliminated William Regal during the 2001 Royal Rumble match and subsequently defeated him the next night on Raw is War to win the WWF European Championship.[6] Test then feuded with Eddie Guerrero, losing the championship to him at WrestleMania X-Seven following interference from Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn.[6] Later in 2001, Test joined The Alliance in retaliation for being attacked by the APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq), 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).[6] He went on to pin Bradshaw at SummerSlam, winning the tag team titles with Booker T.

Martin then feuded with Edge, losing to him at Survivor Series in 2001 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.[6] On the same night, he won a battle royal which granted him onscreen immunity from being fired for a year after attacking and taking the place of Scotty 2 Hotty. In 2002, Test lost in the semi-finals of the King of the Ring tournament to the eventual winner, Brock Lesnar. Test later formed a stable, "The Un-Americans" along with Lance Storm, Christian, and William Regal, culminating in a match at Summerslam where The Undertaker defeated Martin.[6]

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 fan group the "Testicles", theorizing that The Rock's fan group, the "People", Kane's fan group, the "Kaneanites", and Hulk Hogan's fan group, the "Hulkamaniacs", therefore Test's fans should be called the "Testicles".[6] 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 their whore". Test defeated Steiner again, forcing him to become Test's manservant.[6] 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 each time. The pair was fired by Mick Foley, who was the onscreen guest General Manager for two nights, but were re-hired by Raw General Manager, Eric Bishoff upon his return to the position. The angle involving Steiner and Keibler was eventually dropped, and Test began to feud with Steven Richards, which started after Test kicked Victoria (Richard's onscreen girlfriend) in the jaw. They fought several times on Sunday Night Heat with Richards winning every match.

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.[7]

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)

Test making his entrance on ECW.

On March 22, 2006, WWE announced that Test had verbally agreed to return to WWE; he would begin competing in dark matches before Raw and SmackDown!.[6] Subsequently, vignettes began to play during ECW on Sci Fi, announcing that Test was going to debut on the ECW brand of WWE. He made his debut on the July 4, 2006 episode of ECW, defeating Al Snow.[6][8] Test portrayed a vicious villain, as opposed to the arrogant villain he played in the past. This led to Test receiving a fairly large push which resulted in Test being victorious in singles matches for the entirety of 2006 in during the ECW program. Test's first real angle in ECW placed him as part of a feud between new and old ECW stars, first teaming up with Mike Knox, and enveloping other newcomers, Big Show and Matt Striker, against the stable, "ECW Originals", which consisted of Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and The Sandman.[6]

On November 7, Test defeated Tommy Dreamer to earn a spot in the Extreme Elimination Chamber at December to Dismember for the ECW World Championship. During the match, he eliminated Hardcore Holly and Van Dam before being pinned by the eventual winner Bobby Lashley.[6] He would fail to defeat Lashley in three consecutive matches, as well as a title match at the 2007 Royal Rumble and a title rematch on the January 30 episode of ECW.[6]

After he seemingly disappeared from WWE television, Raw commentator Jim Ross confirmed that Test had been suspended for 30 days for violating the WWE "Wellness Program".[9] A week after Ross made the announcement, however, Test was released from his WWE contract.[10][11] Martin released a statement through his MySpace saying that the release was mutual and he had requested it.[12]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)

Martin, identified as "'The new Enforcer in TNA', 'The Punisher' Andrew Martin", debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) during the August 2, 2007 episode of TNA Impact! as a fan favorite. Martin aligned himself with Abyss and Sting by helping them defeat A.J. Styles and Christian Cage in a tag team ladder match.[3][13] At Hard Justice 2007, Martin, Abyss, and Sting defeated A.J. Styles, Christian Cage, and Tomko, a stable known as Christian's Coalition, in a Doomsday Chamber of Blood match after Styles was slammed into a pile of broken glass and pinned by Abyss. Martin was released from TNA shortly afterward due to concerns over his physical size, and TNA being investigated by the United States Congress.[14]

Retirement

On December 19, 2007, Martin announced his retirement from professional wrestling.[15] 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".[16]

Personal life

Martin was previously in a relationship with fellow wrestler Stacy Keibler.[6] Most recently, Martin was involved in a relationship with current WWE Diva, Barbie Blank, better known by her ring name Kelly Kelly. On March 27, 2008, Blank appeared on an Orlando radio station, the Monsters, and disclosed their relationship with reluctance.

On September 14, 2007 and April 5, 2008, Martin was arrested for driving under the influence in Hillsborough County and Pasco County.[17][18][19][20] He was booked into jail both times, but was released the following day after posting bail.[17]

Death

Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Florida home on March 13, 2009.[4][15] He was 33 years old. Police were called in after a neighbor reported Martin appearing motionless for several hours through a window outside of his apartment.[21][22][23][24] On April 9, 2009, the medical examiner's office in Hillsborough County, Florida ruled that his death was the result of an accidental overdose of Oxycodone.[5]

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". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  2. ^ a b c "Test Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
  3. ^ 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.[dead link]
  4. ^ a b "Former WWE Wrestler found dead in Tampa apartment". 10 Connects. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  5. ^ a b Aldren, Mike. "Test killed by Hillbilly heroin". The Sun. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ Clevett, J. (2004-11-01). "WWE releases Gunn, Albert & Test". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "South Philly Screwjob". WWE. 2006-07-04. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  9. ^ 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]
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ MacKinder, M. (2007-02-27). "Test turfed by WWE". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  12. ^ "Andrew "Test" Martin issues statement on his release from WWE today". Wrestle View (via MySpace). Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  13. ^ 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)
  14. ^ Bluth, Michael (2007-09-05). "Test Already Gone From TNA". Rajah. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  15. ^ a b "Former WWE wrestler found dead in Tampa". Bay News 9. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  16. ^ Moniz,S. (2007-12-19). "Test Announces His Retirement". Wrestle-Comlex.com. Retrieved 2007-12-19.[dead link]
  17. ^ a b "Former World Wrestler Andrew "Test" Martin arrested for DUI". ABCnews. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  18. ^ Bluth, Michael (2008-04-07). "Andrew "Test" Martin Arrested For Driving Under the Influence (DUI)". Lords Of Pain. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  19. ^ http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.asp?/Online/qdisp/bn=07059355
  20. ^ http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Former-pro-wrestler-found-dead-in-Tampa/6e18yKZvqUGHxundwCNxug.cspx
  21. ^ "Andrew "Test" Martin Found Dead at 33". Newsday. Retrieved 2009-03-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Eck, Kevin (2009-03-14). "Former WWE star and current TNA Star Test found dead". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  23. ^ "Test passes away". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  24. ^ "TNA Remembers Andrew "Test" Martin". 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  25. ^ 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)
  26. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-07-01). "RAW: RVD comes close". Slam! Sports. 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.
  27. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-05-06). "Raw: Beer bash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test goes for the big boot.
  28. ^ MacKinder, M. (2006-10-04). "ECW: RVD can't pass the Test". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test then nails his F-5/RKO/neckbreaker move and wins.
  29. ^ Dunham, J. (2003-10-17). "Smackdown Countdown 2003: Test". IGN. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  30. ^ Saunders, M. (2002-01-06). "WWF rocks Fredericton". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test puts RVD in a bear hug.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-05-06). "Raw: Beer bash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02. Test actually manages to hold his own, hitting a pumphandle slam and a full nelson slam.
  33. ^ "Andrew Martin". Grapple List. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  34. ^ Tylwalk, N. (2003-10-28). "Raw: I.C. title lost and won". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  35. ^ Oliver, G. (1999-08-03). "Shane and Stephanie an interesting interview". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  36. ^ Zerr, S. (2000-05-29). "Jericho came tumblin' down". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  37. ^ MacKinder, M. (2006-10-18). "ECW: RVD's last chance". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  38. ^ Sokol, C. (2005-09-27). "Promoters reflect on successful Wrestlefest". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  39. ^ Oliver, G. (2006-02-08). "TNA psyched for primetime". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  40. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2001". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2009-03-14.


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