per
www.msn.com Updated: March 14, 2009, 8:06 AM EST 10 comments Andrew "Test" Martin, a World Wrestling Entertainment star from earlier this decade, was found dead in his Tampa, Fla., apartment Friday night. He was 33 years old.
The cause of death wasn't immediately known, the Tampa Tribune reported.
Martin worked for WWE from 1998 to 2004 and 2006 to 2007. Martin was thrust into a prominent position from the onset because of his size and muscularity, with the "Test" nickname being short for "testosterone."
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Martin held numerous WWE titles but was best known for his storyline "romances" with Stephanie McMahon (the daughter of promotion owner Vince McMahon) and Stacy Keibler. Martin and Keibler, now an actress who appeared on Dancing With the Stars, had an off-screen relationship as well until splitting several years ago.
Martin's second WWE stint was bumpy. While he received a major push on WWE's Extreme Championship Wrestling telecasts on Sci-Fi Network, Martin failed a drug test and was suspended under the promotion's wellness policy in February 2007. Shortly thereafter, Martin requested and received his WWE release.
Martin then faded in and out of the wrestling business, recently completing an overseas tour. He was arrested on a DUI charge near his Tampa home in April 2008.
Martin joins a long list of young wrestlers who prematurely died, most from causes stemming from substance-abuse. Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Mike "Crash Holly" Lockwood and Bryan "Crush" Adams are among Martin's WWE contemporaries who have passed away.
None reached the age of 45.
