Andrew Martin, Ex-WWE Champ, Found Dead

TAMPA, Fla. — Authorities say former professional wrestler Andrew Martin, who was known as "Test" and "The Punisher" to fans, has died at his Tampa home. He was 33.

The former World Wrestling Entertainment champion was found dead at his apartment Friday night. Police say a neighbor reported that she could see into his apartment window and that Martin appeared motionless for several hours.

Police say there was no indication of foul play. A cause of death will be determined after an autopsy.

During his time with Stamford, Conn.-based World Wrestling Entertainment, Martin held the Intercontinental, European and Hardcore belts. He was also a tag-team champion.

Martin most recently worked for TNA Wrestling under the name "The Punisher."

Comments

[Jay818]

kmac23va - I am pretty sure fake means that it is not real...and the WWE is not real....Sorry....it is fake.

[KatDawgATL]

These guys are droppin' like rappers these days.

-R.I.P.

[robjh1]

These guys just drop like flies.

[jacobomorales]

The power of drugs in this case steroids do kill.

[kmac23va]

Okay, some comments/thoughts. Number one, Eddie Guerrero died from the damage drugs had done to his body, but he was clean at the time of his death. Number two, Martin did not work for WWE for the last two years, so please don't say this is somehow WWE's fault...if that's your criteria, TNA is more to blame since he worked for them more recently, but I hold neither entity responsible. Third, the WWE has offered rehab to ex-wrestlers from their banner, and guys have taken advantage of it, including Jake Roberts...and Martin, who did it last year. Finally, if you think this is "fake" then please go to local show and ask one of the indie guys there to wrestle you for ten minutes. Tell me afterwards if it's fake. Choregraphed, scripted, yes...fake implies it doesn't hurt.

[muadibe]

"Fake" simply implies it is not a REAL fight and not so much a comment on degree of pain.

[kmac23va]

I'll grant you that clarification, you're correct, it's not a real fight like UFC or boxing. Usually people go with the blanket "it's fake" which implies nothing happening in the ring is real. To me, that includes the pain aspect as well.

Something else on guys that are really built, automatically assuming they're on steroids is stereotyping. Two of the biggest current stars, John Cena and Triple H, were both into body building and did posing competitions, so they're familiar with working out to be big if that's what they choose (most wrestlers go more for cardio - Kurt Angle noted the change in his workouts from strength for amateur to cardio for pro).

I think with the WWE wellness policy, the big issue these days with guys in that organization may be those that damaged their bodies with drugs of all types that have cleaned up, but the damage catches up to them (like Eddie Guerrero). The other thing is, unlike the steroid policy in the 1990s when Vince was indicted by the feds, this policy hasn't just vanished in the night, and I don't think it's going to go anywhere.

[kamandi]

Thank you. It's so annoying that these people shoot off at the mouth without knowing the first thing about wrestling.

They also automatically assume its steroids when most of the wrestlers who have died have been from other drugs. For example the suspicion with Martin is a combination of sleeping pills and pain killers. If these people want to talk about steroids, they should look at the NFL not pro-wrestling.

[kinnycut]

Wrestling is scripted in a way because they know who is going to hold the titles and for how long, but it is very general, and there is nothing to keep the wrestlers from going off the script. The average wrestler for the WWE works three hundred days a year without a break. Wrestling is entertainment, so it doesn't have a season like a regular sport, and despite the severe injuries these guys and gals keep going just the same. Could you imagine what it must feel like to have your body punched, slapped, slammed, tossed, and twisted like an action figure over and over again? Unfortunately, the way many have kept going during their short careers is through the use of steriods because not only do they bulk a person up, but they also cloak pain better than any perscription pain killer. The truth is wrestlers aren't dying young just because of their excesses with drugs. Wrestlers die young because they have used their bodies like test crash dummies day in and day out for our entertainment for years, and that along with everything else simply catches up with them. Professional wrestlers may desire our applause, but they deserve our respect as well because they really do give it their all everyday.

[clsmithj]

sad news. I remember the wrestler when he was known as Test.

The days when he was the Corporation's body guard against D-generation X.
The faux live in-the-ring wedding between him and Stephanie McMahon which Triple H had interrupted.
His tag team days as Test and Albert along with their ring vale Trish Stratus.
To his on and off relationship with Stacey Keibler.

All that was nearly 10 years ago, I guess things went down hill for him afterward along with pro-wrestling's popularity as the Stone Cold era of wrestling faded. Great times those were.

[FreedomTruth]

Either that lady was a PERVERT or Andrew was purposely enticing her because she was hot.

[Maezeppa]

Shame on you.

[Nostrodamus]

Another victim of a dangerous " soap opera " gone astray on steroids.

[PJQ49]

Why is it worth mentioning that he was a "champion?" It's not actually a contest. Acting terminology would be more apt: "male lead."

[susou]

Little brother's response, "Awwww, that sucks!"

[bosshogg]

I remember him... Steroids took the lives of a lot wrestlers young..... This has got to stop.......

[Puller58]

The steroids flap McMahon went through a few years ago didn't seem to make a dent in this nonsense.

[Politicnation]

When I found out yesterday morning, I started to cry as I remembered Test from WWE/F and TNA. He was full of charisma and he had so much to offer, though he used steriods which might have been the cause for his death. Ever since Chris Benoit died, WWE became more strict with drugs, hence the Wellness-Policy. Test was released from ECW, but he came back into wrestling, and was about to go on his European tour which he was looking forward to. I feel a close connection to what Barbie Blank put on her Myspace page... it is short yet very sweet. I hope Test may rest in peace forever, and hopefully the future young talents will learn from his mistakes.

Rest in Peace: Andrew "Test" Martin

[tazmopoliskepticalopsis]

You need to get a life right quick.

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

Just because his/her priorities aren't the same as yours doesn't mean he/she "need(s) to get a life". Perhaps it's YOU who needs to get a life instead of putting down others needlessly.

[shivadas]

I'll pray for him.

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

This is so depressing.

I mean, how many wrestlers have died ridiculously young? It's not like this is once or twice every few years. It happens all the time. Eddie Guerro, Rick Rude, Big Boss Man, Bam Bam Bigelow, Earthquake, Curt Henning, British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, the list goes on and on....