Andrew "Test" Martin found Dead

(R.I.P. Andrew "Test" Martin", 33)

According to Fox News, the former wrestler known as "Test", real name Andrew Martin, was found dead in his Tampa, Florida apartment late Friday evening. Neighbors noticed he was motionless over a time period of several hours and then phoned the police for help. The cause of death is not known at this time.

Test worked in WWE for several years, starting way back in 1998, and won numerous titles during his career. While with WWE he won the European, Hardcore, and Intercontinental championships. Also, Test won both the WCW Tag Team Championship and WWF Tag Team Championships. He was famous for being a tag team partner of Albert to form "T&A" managed by Trish Stratus, and also was involved in feuds and stories with Stacey Keibler, Scott Steiner and Stephanie McMahon. According to reports, Test was involved in on and off screen relationships with the boss' daughter, as well as WWE Divas Stacy Keibler and Kelly Kelly (Barbie Blank).

In 2004, Test underwent spinal fusion surgery for a back injury. He was released by WWE in late 2004, but went on to work in independent promotions for about a year. In 2006, Test made his return to WWE for the ECW brand, where he fought with everyone from Tommy Dreamer to ECW Champion, Bobby Lashley. In 2007, he was released by WWE following a 30 day suspension for violating WWE's Wellness Policy. Test would later comment that it was a mutual decision between he and WWE that he be released.

Test made his final wrestling comeback attempt, when he went to work with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling in 2007 as a character named "The Punisher", an enforcer who aligned himself with Abyss and Sting. Test was involved in several matches before his release by TNA due to concerns over his size and a US Congress investigation. A serious back injury forced Test to finally give up his wrestling career after several attempts at a comeback. Test announced his pro-wrestling retirement in late 2007 (December 19th). In 2007, he was suspended for failing a drug test, and in April 2008, he was arrested on a DUI charge.

Andrew "Test" Martin was just 33 years old, and the cause of death is not immediately known. An autopsy will be performed at a later time, but as of now authorities do not suspect foul play.

View Test's official Myspace page here.

Congress' WWE Steroid Investigation

This past Friday Representative Henry Waxman (D-California) sent a letter to the Office of National Drug Policy (ONDCP) requesting that its chief, John Walters, continue to "examine steroid use in professional wrestling and take appropriate steps to address this problem."

The Oversight Committee headed by Waxman began investing pro wrestling's drug problem a year ago, as it took a hard look at drug testing policies for both WWE & TNA. In Waxman's letter he suggested that pro wrestling "has a long way to go toward eradicating its doping culture, starting with the woefully inadequate drug testing programs in place."

From NYDailyNews.com:

"In the first year of WWE's testing program, which began in March 2006, 40% of wrestlers tested positive for steroids and other drugs, even after being warned in advance that they were going to be tested," wrote Waxman.

Waxman also detailed how wrestlers who test positive for performance enhancers receive light punishment and can often participate in wrestling events even after steroid violations. The committee investigation also uncovered how easily wrestlers can secure therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) - permission to take banned substances for medical reasons - so they can continue performing while using steroids. When Waxman's staff interviewed Dr. Tracy Ray, a physician contracted by WWE, Ray claimed there was "shadiness in almost every (TUE) case that I've reviewed."

Recently both WWE & Waxman were unavailable for comments regarding the situation. More news to come from this investigation which will surely be an issue for some time within the ranks of pro wrestling, until things can be clearly sorted out and policies better enforced.

Read NYDailyNews.com article "Congress Needles Wrestling" here.

Impact Wrestling also provides the baseline drug testing reports from WWE to Congress, including positive results (no individuals named).

Vince McMahon Absent at Congress Hearing

The recent focus of Congress has been on Roger Clemens, his trainer, dirty syringes and performance enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball. But WWE fans will remember that several months ago Congress had requested WWE to hand over all sorts of records, which they did along with a letter from the WWE's attorney. The investigation launched after the tragic incidents surrounding Chris Benoit, and the double murder-suicide in 2007. Wednesday there was a Congressional hearing held on steroids in sports, and Vince McMahon, although he was invited as a witness, was glaringly absent.

According to Newsday.com:

Newsday first reported last week that McMahon was the only witness to decline the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection's invitation to testify. WWE officials told Newsday last week that they notified the subcommittee in January that McMahon would not be able to attend because his attorney is involved in a lengthy criminal trial in Pittsburgh. They never heard from Congress again, they said.

The explanation was not good enough for subcommittee chairman Bobby Rush, who said he was "exceptionally and extremely disappointed" in McMahon's absence.

"Steroid abuse in pro wrestling is probably worse than in any professional sport or amateur sport. And while I recognize that professional wrestling is not actually a sport, it certainly requires a great deal of athletic talent," Rush said before the hearing. "I want to insure Mr. McMahon that this subcommittee fully intends to deal with the illegal steroid abuse in professional wrestling."

McMahon's attorney, Jerry McDevitt, has said that McMahon's inability to appear was not meant as a slight on Congress, and noted that McMahon, his wife and WWE CEO Linda, and his daughter, executive vice president Stephanie McMahon, have been interviewed by Congressional investigators and turned over some 3,000 pages of documents regarding their drug policy to them.(SOURCE)

According to the Newsday report, Representative Lee Terry, a Republican from Nebraska has accused Vince of "flipping his finger" at Congress with his failure to appear. Vince has told Congress in a statement that he is fully willing to cooperate with any further inquiries of Congress.

Benoit Was Overprescribed

New information has surfaced in the Chris Benoit double murder-suicide case which may or may not come as a shock to some. According to TMZ.com, Benoit had "roughly ten times the normal level of testosterone in his system when he died". From TMZ.com:

"TMZ has learned that federal prosecutors say doctors overprescribed testosterone to wrestler Chris Benoit in order to combat a hormone condition.

The revelation comes to light as new court papers have been filed in the criminal case against Benoit's personal physician, Dr. Phil Astin. The Feds have charged Astin with overprescribing medication to two other patients, and are expected to file more charges against him."

These new reports put the heat back on the doctors and could bring even more fire to the Congressional hearings coming up with the WWE.

4 Ways to Build a Stronger WWE

The WWE has been struggling for several months now and it's been in need of serious repair as wrestlers get injured, fired, suspended or quit the WWE. The majority of these things seem to relate to the WWE's problem with its Wellness Policy and accusations by the media and former wrestlers over rampant drug use. As the WWE loses performers, it really needs to start to repair and heal its product.

Here are 4 ways in which it can do so:

1) Combine the rosters into 1 show/brand

This one has seemed to make sense for a while and starts to make more sense as the WWE suspends, fires and loses more of its wrestlers. Just keeping up with the 5 hours of wrestling (sometimes 6 or more if there's a PPV) through the week can be tough. In combining the rosters of Raw, Smackdown and ECW, you get all of the talent together to use, can improve the tag team division(s) and withstand the losses of any wrestlers who quit or get suspended. While the drafts and trades are always interesting to watch, combining the rosters will only make WWE stronger.

2) Have just one tag team title for WWE

The WWE tag team divisions have been rather weak lately. When you look at Raw it is basically Cade & Murdoch, Kendrick and London and then World's Greatest Team. After that it is whichever singles wrestlers might form an alliance. On Smackdown you have Deuce & Domino, MVP and Matt Hardy (who won't be a tag team forever), Major Brothers and then Jesse & Festus (who haven't really been in the ring for Smackdown). Combining it to have just one title, you could make the tag division look stronger. If the 3 brands don't merge, then at least it makes for better Pay Per View matches between all the teams going for the 1 tag title.

3) Inject the rosters with some fresh new talent

There's been news and rumors of signings and wrestler comebacks. Some new wrestlers should be worked into the mix beyond Cody Rhodes and Jesse and Festus. The WWE creative team should be able to do a lot more with gimmicks and characters, it just needs to start introducing them, rather then stretching the available rosters thin. As mentioned before the returns of guys like Bobby Lashley, Shawn Michaels and even Chris Jericho will also go a long way to keep fans cheering and entertained. The returns of HHH, Mysterio and Undertaker have already lent credibility to this concept.

4) Reshape and polish the Wellness Program/Policy

This one will most likely happen after WWE has faced Congress, or right before. WWE wants to cooperate with the US Government, because that is the last thing a company needs, the government on its case. WWE is a business that wants to stay in business, so it will take all the appropriate measures. This will not only make the WWE more respected by its fans, but also silence the critics. The Rock had an interesting comment in a recent interview saying that any wrestler who is discovered to have been using drugs should immediately be kicked out of WWE. Rock also said that wrestlers should focus on selling their face, rather than muscles. In other words, craft the character to entertain the fans rather than relying on looking like a superhuman. Expect to see WWE's Wellness Policy re-shaped within the next few weeks or months.

The WWE isn't in any danger of folding right now, as it still manages to pack fans into arenas for the shows. It still sells Pay Per Views and merchandise and gets decent TV ratings. Scandals and controversies will always come and go for major companies. At this time which has seemed dark for WWE, it's only going to help build a bigger, better and stronger brand than before if WWE learns from the issues and finds ways to rebuild.

What other things would you do to help make the WWE stronger?

WWE Will Pay for Stars Rehab

In recent news, Vince McMahon and the WWE have added new offers to pay for any past or present WWE employees to get drug rehabilitation. This move comes not too far ahead of WWE preparing to face US Congress and discuss its Wellness program as well as the early deaths of various superstars.

From the Sun UK:

Author Scott E Williams, who has just completed a book on the Chris Benoit murders and the reaction to them, has applauded the WWE's decision.

He said: "Pro wrestling has historically been a business in which promoters use wrestlers for as long as they can make money and then discard them for the next big thing, leaving the previous big thing to deal with health and other problems on his own.

"WWE's rehab announcement is a welcome about-face."

"For all the scorn he has received - much of which he has earned - Vince McMahon is not the devil and any steps toward handling the drug and health issues in his company, while overdue, deserve measured applause."

Full article here

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It's true Vince isn't quite the devil. Without his performers around, he wouldn't have a successful WWE product. While it's great to see Vince McMahon finally taking these steps to clean up the WWE and assist his wrestlers, US Congress and the Albany New York prosecutor's office also have played a big part in getting the ball rolling. Add that to all the media scrutiny, and the pressure is too great for Vince to ignore doing these things to protect his stars and his business.

WWE vs. Congress - September 07'

It won't be on Pay Per View, but it appears as if the WWE will now face the same scrutiny over steroid use/abuse in its ranks that the NFL and Major League Baseball have also been through. AOL Sports discusses how the US Congress will be holding a hearing late in September based on the Benoit tragedy.

From AOL Sports:

"Current MLB commissioner Bud Selig and former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue have been through it before, and it now it appears as if the WWE will have its steroids policy under investigation by congress. According to the New York Daily News, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold its hearing late next month as a response to the premature death of wrestler Chris Benoit.

"I am extremely concerned about the possible illegal and destructive practices by professional entertainment athletes that negatively influence the younger generation," said Rep. Bobby Rush, the Illinois Democrat who is the chairman of the committee. "We must make sure that today's wrestling sports heroes are not using illegal performance-enhancing drugs that, unfortunately, can and have led to their untimely deaths."

A congressional source told the Daily News that the panel has not yet compiled witness lists, and it is still not clear who will be asked to appear at the late-September hearing. Rush's subcommittee sent a letter to the WWE on July 31 requesting information about the wrestling federation's drug-testing policies. Similar letters were sent to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance on Aug. 13."

Heavens! If they start testing for steroids and performance-enhancers in professional wrestling, what will we be left with? Nobody will believe someone as skinny as the 1-2-3 Kid can actually win a wrestling match, will they? It's all about the spectacle in the sport, and this will be a huge blow. Then again, if it will help save some lives, I can't say I'm opposed to it, though MJD makes a good argument for being unfazed by performance-enhancers."

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Only positive can seem to come from Congress doing this. It could go a long way to repairing any damage the WWE has suffered in terms of its recent image, and also save lives.

NY Prosecutors Meet with WWE

This past Tuesday officials from the WWE met with the Albany County District Attorney's office but it is unclear what all was discussed in the meeting.

From WashingtonPost.com:

"WWE Vice President Jennifer McIntosh confirmed the Tuesday meeting but declined to comment on what was discussed. Calls to Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares' office were not immediately returned Thursday.

The day before the meeting, former pro wrestler Brian "Crush" Adams, 44, was found dead of undetermined causes in his Florida home. Authorities said tissue and toxicology tests are due in six to eight weeks.

Adams had not been a wrestler for WWE since 2001, McIntosh said. His death came less than two months after pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and son before hanging himself on the cable of a weight machine in his Georgia home. Prescription anabolic steroids were found in the home, raising questions about whether the drugs played a role in the killings.

Soares' office has said Benoit had been a client of Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla., which is at the center of the investigation.

In New York, it is illegal for a doctor to prescribe drugs without examining the patient in person, and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense prescription drugs without a valid prescription."

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WWE has also been asked by a Congress House committee to turn over any information it has on steroid and drug abuse in pro wrestling by August 24th, just two days before the Summerslam Pay-Per-View.