Robin PottratzWhat does the death of Andrew "Test" Martin mean for pro wrestling?
March 17th 2009 03:42
Everyone, especially wrestling fans, remember the nightmare that occurred in June of 2007, when the news broke that former World Champion Chris Benoit murdered his family before taking his own life in his Atlanta home. Since that tragic event, a dark cloud of steroid speculation and general disgust has hung above the industry of professional wrestling. Recently however, it seemed as though the industry had finally begun to turn a corner. The WWE is coming up on the 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania and there is finally goodwill being bestowed upon the paragon of professional wrestling once again.
It was easy to forget about all of the controversy involving professional wrestling and the numerous tragic deaths that have surrounded it...that is until this past friday...when another wrestling star was taken far too soon.
Andrew Martin (better known to WWE fans as "Test") was found dead in his Tampa apartment on March 13th...he was only 33 years old.
"Test" always had something of a reputation that proceeded him...and it wasn't necessarily a great one. He was known as somewhat of a hothead and it became apparent to anyone who was watching wrestling as he grew older that he was using steroids more and more. However, I am not choosing to remember him in that way...I remember him as the good looking twenty-something who was in one of the sweetest and romantic storylines in wrestling history when he was "dating" Stephanie McMahon in the late 90's.
I remember him becoming a terrific heel...winning the WWE European, Tag Team, and Intercontinental titles during his early career. However, he became an increasingly angry character and in turn became less fun to watch because he became so ordinary. He made a brief return in 2007, but it was as the same angry character...and just as boring.
He returned to the indy scenes and was contemplating a return to the WWE...but his asking price was allegedly astronomical. He developed a bad rep and he died before he could repair it.
The results of his autopsy have yet to be released...but it wouldn't surprise anyone if he mixed steroids or other prescription meds that led to his death.
The question must now be asked: What impact will his death have on Pro Wrestling? Truth be told...I feel that it will have little to no impact whatsoever. On WWE Raw this evening...there was no mention of his death at all. I didn't even find out of his death until Sunday night, when my friend sent me a text from Atlanta. Despite his accomplishments and natural gifts and talent...Andrew "Test" Martin was simply not that big of a star or recognizable face.
If there is any impact that the death of "Test" will have on Pro Wrestling, it will be a solemn reminder of the cases of drug abuse and early death that are too often associated with the industry. It is a true tragedy that Andrew "Test" Martin died before he could give wrestling one last shot...and that his death might possibly be used for negative gain...but out of respect, I will end this post with this thought.
We will miss you Test...godspeed.
It was easy to forget about all of the controversy involving professional wrestling and the numerous tragic deaths that have surrounded it...that is until this past friday...when another wrestling star was taken far too soon.
Andrew Martin (better known to WWE fans as "Test") was found dead in his Tampa apartment on March 13th...he was only 33 years old.
The untimely death of Andrew "Test
"Test" always had something of a reputation that proceeded him...and it wasn't necessarily a great one. He was known as somewhat of a hothead and it became apparent to anyone who was watching wrestling as he grew older that he was using steroids more and more. However, I am not choosing to remember him in that way...I remember him as the good looking twenty-something who was in one of the sweetest and romantic storylines in wrestling history when he was "dating" Stephanie McMahon in the late 90's.
I remember him becoming a terrific heel...winning the WWE European, Tag Team, and Intercontinental titles during his early career. However, he became an increasingly angry character and in turn became less fun to watch because he became so ordinary. He made a brief return in 2007, but it was as the same angry character...and just as boring.
He returned to the indy scenes and was contemplating a return to the WWE...but his asking price was allegedly astronomical. He developed a bad rep and he died before he could repair it.
The results of his autopsy have yet to be released...but it wouldn't surprise anyone if he mixed steroids or other prescription meds that led to his death.
The question must now be asked: What impact will his death have on Pro Wrestling? Truth be told...I feel that it will have little to no impact whatsoever. On WWE Raw this evening...there was no mention of his death at all. I didn't even find out of his death until Sunday night, when my friend sent me a text from Atlanta. Despite his accomplishments and natural gifts and talent...Andrew "Test" Martin was simply not that big of a star or recognizable face.
If there is any impact that the death of "Test" will have on Pro Wrestling, it will be a solemn reminder of the cases of drug abuse and early death that are too often associated with the industry. It is a true tragedy that Andrew "Test" Martin died before he could give wrestling one last shot...and that his death might possibly be used for negative gain...but out of respect, I will end this post with this thought.
We will miss you Test...godspeed.
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