Test (wrestler)

Andrew James Robert Patrick Martin (March 17, 1975 – March 13, 2009) was a Canadian professional wrestler and actor. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE) under the ring name Test.

During his nine-year tenure with the WWF/WWE, he found his greatest success as a singles performer, winning the Intercontinental and European Championships once each, and the Hardcore Championship twice. Martin found additional success in the tag team division, twice becoming a World Tag Team Champion with Booker T by winning the WWF and WCW World Tag Team Championships once each.

Professional wrestling career

Training and early career (1997–1998)

In the mid-1990s, Martin met professional wrestler Bret Hart in a restaurant. After Hart offered to train him to wrestle, Martin quit his job as a bouncer and spent eight months training under both Hart and Leo Burke.<ref name="hof"/><ref name="obit"/> Martin debuted in 1997, wrestling on the Canadian independent circuit under the ring names Martin Kane and T.J. Thunder.<ref name="espn"/> He continued his training with Dory Funk Jr. at Funk's Funkin' Dojo, a training center in Ocala, Florida.<ref name="hof">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998–2004)

The Corporation (1998–1999)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Martin debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on the October 25, 1998 episode of Sunday Night Heat as an unnamed bodyguard for the band Mötley Crüe, who were performing on the show. In a scripted event, Martin threw an overzealous fan off the stage during the band's rehearsal. On the December 14 episode of Raw is War, Martin aligned himself with WWF Champion The Rock, attacking his rival Triple H.<ref name="hof"/> A week later on the December 21 episode of Raw is War, Martin made his in-ring debut teaming with The Rock to defeat Triple H and X-Pac by disqualification. Martin eventually joined The Corporation stable and received the ring name "Test", since he usually checked the mic saying "test...test..."<ref name="TestProfile">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the Royal Rumble on January 24, 1999, Test competed in the Royal Rumble match but was eliminated by Steve Austin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At WrestleMania XV on March 28, Test and D'Lo Brown faced Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart for the WWF Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After being removed from the Corporation, Test joined The Union, who were known to carry 2x4 boards of wood with them.<ref name="espn"/> The group briefly feuded with the Corporation and at Over the Edge on May 23, The Union defeated The Corporate Ministry in an eight-man elimination tag team match, before quietly disbanding.<ref name="TestProfile"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Relationship with Stephanie McMahon and T & A (1999–2000)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Test then began an on-screen relationship with Stephanie McMahon that led to a "Love her or Leave her" match against Shane McMahon at SummerSlam on August 22. Test won the match and Shane's blessing,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which led to an on-screen engagement between Stephanie and Test.<ref name="TestProfile"/> 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, and on the night of the wedding Test defeated Triple H with a quick 3-count from a referee in a Vince McMahon mask. Triple H later showed a video which revealed that he had drugged Stephanie and taken her to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he married her in a drive-through ceremony. Stephanie then turned on Test and aligned herself with Triple H, ushering in the McMahon-Helmsley Era.<ref name="TestProfile"/> After a short feud with D-Generation X, on the January 17, 2000 episode of Raw is War, Test defeated Big Boss Man to win the WWF Hardcore Championship, but lost the title to Crash Holly on the February 24 episode of SmackDown!.<ref name="hardcore" />

Following this loss, Test turned heel and formed a tag team with Albert known as T & A (Test and Albert), with Trish Stratus as their manager. They defeated Al Snow and Steve Blackman at WrestleMania 2000 on April 2 and the Dudley Boyz at Backlash on April 30.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At King of the Ring on June 25, T & A were defeated in a four corners elimination match for the WWF Tag Team Championship by Edge & Christian.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Fully Loaded on July 23, T & A and Trish Stratus lost to the Hardy Boyz and Lita in a six-person tag team match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Unforgiven on September 24, Test competed in a Hardcore Open Invitational for the WWF Hardcore Championship which was won by Blackman.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Survivor Series on November 19, T & A and Stratus lost to Blackman, Crash Holly and Molly Holly.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the December 28 episode of SmackDown!, Albert attacked Test at the orders of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, effectively disbanding T & A and turning Test face again.<ref name="TestProfile" />

The Invasion and various feuds (2001–2002)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}Again a singles wrestler, Test eliminated William Regal at the Royal Rumble on January 21, 2001 during the Royal Rumble match and subsequently defeated him the next night on Raw is War to win the WWF European Championship.<ref name="TestProfile" /> He lost the title to Eddie Guerrero at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1 following interference from Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the April 30 episode of Raw is War, Test defeated Triple H by disqualification after Triple H hit him with a chair and powerbombed him through the announce table.<ref name="TestProfile" /> At Judgment Day on May 20, Test competed in a triple threat hardcore match for the Hardcore Championship, which was won by Rhyno.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the June 14 episode of SmackDown!, Test defeated Rhyno to win the Hardcore Championship, but lost the title back to Rhyno on the June 25 episode of Raw is War.<ref name="hardcore"/>

During the Invasion storyline, the APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) were suspicious of Test's friendship with WCW owner Shane McMahon, prior to Shane's heel turn and the formation of the ECW half of The Alliance. They thought of Test as the mole within the WWF and attacked him, only to find out that he wasn't.<ref name="TestProfile" /> In retaliation, on the August 9 episode of SmackDown!, Test joined The Alliance by helping Alliance members Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Kanyon defeat the APA for the WWF Tag Team Championship, turning heel once again.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Test and The Dudley Boyz defeated the APA and Spike Dudley at SummerSlam on August 19 after Test pinned Bradshaw.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next day on Raw is War, ECW owner Stephanie McMahon approached Test with the task of beating Chris Jericho after Rhyno failed to do so at SummerSlam. Despite past conflicts, they shook hands, resolving the grudge between himself and Stephanie; Test defeated Jericho.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the September 27 episode of SmackDown!, Test and Booker T defeated The Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane) to win the WCW Tag Team Championship, but lost the titles to The Hardy Boyz on the October 8 episode of Raw.<ref name="WCWtag"/> At No Mercy on October 21, Test defeated Kane.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On the November 1 episode of SmackDown!, Test and Booker T defeated The Rock and Chris Jericho to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.<ref name="worldtag"/> Test defeated Edge to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship on the November 5 episode of Raw.<ref name="ic"/> On the November 12 episode of Raw, Test and Booker T lost the WWF Tag Team Championship to the Hardy Boyz.<ref name="worldtag"/> Test lost the Intercontinental Championship back to Edge in a unification match at Survivor Series on November 18 for the WCW United States Championship and the WWF Intercontinental Championship.<ref name="TestProfile" /> Later that night, he won a battle royal which granted him on-screen immunity from being fired for a year after attacking and taking the place of Scotty 2 Hotty.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Vengeance on December 9, Test and Christian lost to Scotty 2 Hotty and Albert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At No Way Out on February 17, 2002, Test and Booker T failed to win the WWF Tag Team Championship from Tazz and Spike Dudley.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the 2002 WWF draft lottery, Test was drafted to the SmackDown! brand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He qualified for the King of the Ring tournament but lost to eventual winner Brock Lesnar in the semi-finals at the titular event on June 23.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the July 4 episode of SmackDown!, Test, Christian and Lance Storm formed The Un-Americans.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the July 29 episode of Raw, The Un-Americans left SmackDown! and joined the Raw brand. Later that night, they attacked The Undertaker.<ref name="TestProfile" /> At SummerSlam on August 25, The Undertaker defeated Test.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Un-Americans lost to the team of Kane, Goldust, Booker T and Bubba Ray Dudley at Unforgiven on September 22.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The stable eventually split in brawling fashion and disbanded on the September 30 episode of Raw.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Relationship with Stacy Keibler and departure (2002–2004)

In October, Test received Stacy Keibler as his on-screen girlfriend and "image consultant", who told him he should embrace his fanbase and call them his "Testicles", in line with The Rock's fan group, the "People", Kane's "Kaneanites", Chris Jericho's "Jerichoholics" and Hulk Hogan's "Hulkamaniacs". This eventually culminated with Test cutting off his long hair and trading his trademark leather pants for normal wrestling trunks. The couple were originally heels, but due to the popularity of the gimmick, quickly became faces.<ref name="obit"/><ref name="TestProfile"/> In May 2003, Test formed a tag team with the returning Scott Steiner, at the request of Keibler, and at Judgment Day on May 18, they faced La Résistance in a losing effort. Later that night, he competed in a battle royal for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship, which was won by Christian.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Test and Keibler eventually split up due to the ongoing mistreatment of Keibler at the hands of Test, while turning him heel again and developed a misogynist streak. Test lost to Steiner at Insurrextion on June 7 and at Bad Blood on June 15 for Keibler's managerial services.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the August 18 episode of Raw, Test defeated Steiner, winning the services of Keibler and announcing his intentions to "make her a whore".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Unforgiven on September 21, Test again defeated Steiner, forcing him to become his manservant.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Steiner then attacked Keibler, blaming her for the loss and for him having to take orders from another man. Test then freed Steiner from his obligation, and the pair became a tag team once again, as now both treated Keibler like a slave. On the December 1 episode of Raw, Mick Foley fired (kayfabe) Test and Steiner, freeing Stacy as their manager.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Armageddon on December 14, Test and Steiner competed in a tag team turmoil match for the World Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At Royal Rumble on January 25, 2004, Test was scheduled to enter the titular match at number 21, but was found knocked out backstage by officials and Raw Sheriff Stone Cold Steve Austin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After it was revealed Mick Foley attacked and replaced him, Test would gain revenge on the February 2 episode of Raw, when he and Randy Orton attacked Foley in a backstage area.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Test would go on to compete on house shows until he reaggravated a neck injury that had kept him out of action the past few months.<ref name="tbt"/> Martin had spinal fusion surgery performed by Dr. Lloyd Youngblood in July.<ref name="obit"/> Four months later on November 1, it was announced that he was released from his WWE contract along with A-Train and Billy Gunn.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Independent circuit, Italy, and Australia (2005–2006)

Test returned to the ring in May 2005, and began accepting bookings with various independent promotions.<ref name="oww"/> On August 27, Test wrestled at WrestleReunion 2, teaming with The Masked Superstar, Steve Corino and The Original Evil Clown in a loss to D'Lo Brown, The Blue Meanie, Tom Prichard and Dusty Rhodes.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> One of his most notable victories during this tenure was against former TNA wrestler Samoa Joe for World Series Wrestling in Australia.<ref name="oww"/> His most prominent role on the independent circuit was in the Nu-Wrestling Evolution promotion in Italy, where he worked until 2006 under the ring name "Big Foot", due to his "big boot" finishing move.<ref name="obit"/><ref name="oww"/>

Return to WWE (2006–2007)

File:AndrewMartinECWLive.jpg

Test making his entrance on ECW

On March 22, 2006, WWE.com announced that Test had verbally agreed to return to WWE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Subsequently, vignettes began to play during ECW on Sci Fi, announcing that Test was debuting on the ECW brand. He officially made his return on the July 4 episode of ECW, defeating Al Snow.<ref name="TestProfile"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In late-July, Test aligned with the fellow ECW newcomers, Mike Knox, Big Show and Matt Striker to feud with the "ECW Originals", which consisted of Rob Van Dam, Sabu and The Sandman. On the August 1 episode of ECW, Test and Knox defeated Sandman and Tommy Dreamer in an Extreme Rules match, with Test pinning Dreamer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the September 5 episode of ECW, Test and Mike Knox lost to Van Dam and Sabu in an Extreme Rules match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the October 3 episode of ECW, Test defeated Van Dam in an Extreme Rules match.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Test (Andrew Martin).jpg

Test at December to Dismember

At Survivor Series on November 26, Test was a member of Team Big Show (Big Show, himself, Montel Vontavious Porter, Finlay and Umaga), losing to Team Cena (John Cena, Kane, Bobby Lashley, Sabu and Van Dam); he eliminated Van Dam but was eliminated by Sabu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At December to Dismember on December 3, Test competed in the Extreme Elimination Chamber match for the ECW World Championship, eliminating Hardcore Holly and Van Dam before being pinned by Lashley, the eventual winner.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the January 16, 2007 episode of ECW, Test competed in a triple threat match for the ECW World Championship, which Lashley won.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Test failed to win the title from Lashley the following week,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> at Royal Rumble on January 28,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and on the January 30 episode of ECW.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Test last wrestled in February before disappearing from WWE television.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On February 18, WWE commentator Jim Ross, confirmed on his blog that Test had been suspended for 30 days for violating the WWE "Wellness Program".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A week after Ross made the announcement, it was reported that Test was officially released from his WWE contract.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Martin released a statement through his MySpace saying that the release was mutual and he had requested it.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)

Martin debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as a face under his real name on the August 2, 2007 episode of TNA Impact!. He allied himself with Abyss and Sting and helped them defeat A.J. Styles and Christian Cage in a tag team ladder match.<ref name="Wojcik">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At Hard Justice on August 12, Martin wrestled his first and only match for TNA as "The Punisher" Andrew Martin, teaming with Sting and Abyss to defeat Christian's Coalition (Cage, Tomko, and Styles) in a Doomsday Chamber of Blood match, after Styles was slammed into a pile of broken glass and pinned by Abyss.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Later career (2007–2009)

In December 2007, Martin announced that he would embark on a final tour of Ireland before retiring from professional wrestling in March 2008.<ref name="oww">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Martin finished his retirement tour in France, losing to Rene Dupree in seven consecutive matches.<ref name="Kreikenbohm2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, Martin wrestled two more matches in Japan in 2009, defeating Lance Hoyt on February 1 and Mitsuya Nagai on February 3.<ref name="Kreikenbohm2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal life

Martin was the youngest of three children.<ref name="tbt"/> He dated WWE Diva Stacy Keibler from 2001 until 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also dated Barbara Blank, better known in WWE as Kelly Kelly, from 2007 until weeks before his death in March 2009.<ref name="obit"/>

On September 14, 2007 and April 5, 2008, Martin was arrested for driving under the influence in Hillsborough County and Pasco County, Florida.<ref name="abc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. June 6, 2008.</ref> He was booked into jail both times, but was released the following day after posting bail.<ref name="abc"/> In August 2008, Martin entered a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in West Palm Beach, Florida after reaching out to WWE, his former employer, for help regarding his substance abuse.<ref name="tbt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Death

On March 13, 2009, Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Florida apartment, four days prior to what would have been his 34th birthday.<ref name="obit">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A neighbor noticed Martin had been lying motionless on his couch for some time, prompting them to call 911.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Painkillers and steroids were found in his apartment, and Martin reportedly died during a meal since a half-eaten pizza and soda were found near his body.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Martin's body was cremated and his remains were flown to his family in his hometown of Whitby, Ontario.<ref name="tbt"/>

Forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu later examined Martin's brain and determined that he suffered from severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition caused by repeated concussions and subconcussive head injuries. Fellow Canadian wrestler and one of Martin's idols, Chris Benoit, also suffered from CTE before his death in June 2007, and it was theorized to be a factor in the Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide.<ref name="espn">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Biography	Himself	Documentary; episode: "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
2001	18 Wheels of Justice	Nicolas James Barton	Episode: "The Cage"
2002	Fear Factor	Himself	Television series
2002	Kim Possible	Steel Toe (voice)	Episode: "Pain King vs. Cleopatra"
2003	Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break	Himself	Music video
2007	Grindhouse	Nazi Boxer	Film; segment: "Werewolf Women of the SS"; uncredited
2010	Medium Raw: Night of the Wolf	Benjamin Jacobs	Television film; posthumous release

Championships and accomplishments

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 37 of the 500 top singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2001<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Wild West Wrestling
  • WWW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="hof"/>
• World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)<ref name="ic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• • WWF European Championship (1 time)<ref name="european">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• • WWF Hardcore Championship (2 times)<ref name="hardcore">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• • WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Booker T<ref name="worldtag">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• • WCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Booker T<ref name="WCWtag">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• List of premature professional wrestling deaths

External links

• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if:

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