Test's Death - Accidental Overdose

A report on Thursday from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner announced that Andrew "Test" Martin's death was due to an accidental overdose of Oxcodone, which is a key addictive ingredient in the painkiller OxyContin. Also known as "Hillbilly heroin", the drug was also linked to the deaths of Sensational Sherri Martel, and actor Heath Ledger.

Andrew Martin was found dead in his Tampa apartment on March 14, 2009, after neighbors phoned for help noticing he had been motionless for several hours. The autopsy was performed on Martin by Dr Vernard Adams of Hillsborough County back on March 14, 2009, but he needed further studies to require the true cause of death. The study was finally complete on April 9th and resulted in the findings:

“Cause of Death: Intoxication by Oxycodone.

“Manner of Death: Accident.”

It was reported that Test had struggled with issues involving steroids, painkillers and alcohol in the past 10 years, with his retirement from WWE coming as the result of back problems and a drug policy violation. Test, a former European, Hardcore and Intercontinental champion in WWE, had also completed a successful rehab course paid for by World Wrestling Entertainment.

(Story source: TheSun.co.uk)

News: John Cena, Hulk Hogan, WM25

John Cena's appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno was bumped this past Thursday for president Barack Obama to appear as the show's only guest. Cena will now appear on Jay Leno's show Monday Nnight at 11:35PM EST. According to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon's Guest Guide, Cena will appear on Fallon's show Tuesday March 24th at about 12:35 PM EST. Cena's making the rounds to promote "12 Rounds", including a recent stop at Texas Motor Speedway where he was presented the key to the city. Also check out The Patriot Ledger's recent article about Cena.

WWE legend, Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) has signed a book deal. The book will be called "My Life Outside the Ring" and feature Hogan's insights into his lengthy pro-wrestling career, his childhood and his personal heartbreak in his relationship with his ex-wife Linda.

Read NY Post's "Incredible Hulk Spills Guts in Book" article.

Over at the Newsday weblog, Seth Mates discusses the best choice for final match at Wrestlemania 25. Hint: it's not Cena-Show-Edge or Triple H vs. Orton.

Jim Ross' recent blog on his site concerning fan questions about Andrew "Test" Martin's untimely death apparently crashed the web server due to an overflow of traffic. Ross starts off with the following lead-in:

I have also received several emails after the untimely death of Andrew "Test" Martin asking if I thought that wrestlers could function without the regular use of pain medication. After shaking my head and rolling my eyes, the answer is an emphatic, "Hell yes!"

Read JR's full blog at jrsbarbq.com

WWE Characters the Blog's Wrestlemania 25 contest is open to all United States entries up until Friday April 3rd, 2009. The winner receives a sweet, official Wrestlemania 25 T-Shirt and wristband courtesy of Electric Artists, Inc. Check out the full contest details here.

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.