This morning, I woke up and did my usual “surfing” of my favorite websites. When I got to the official website of World Wrestling Entertainment – I saw something I did not expect…

…“Test Passes Away.”

Andrew J. Martin, better known to WWE fans as “Test” – passed away on Friday, March 13, 2009 – he was only 33 years old. This is the um-teenth wrestler I have interviewed that has died. Truthfully, I am sick and tired of meeting and interviewing wrestlers that are in the prime of their careers – only to see their lives extinguished. The reason for his death has not been officially determined, as we have to wait for the autopsy – but truth be told, based on past wrestlers that have died and Test’s own background – I know it has something to do with drugs and/or steroids.

Test was offered the opportunity to attend rehab that would be paid for by the WWE – and he took it. But, like many of his fellow colleagues – he most likely fell off the wagon – or even if he stopped – his body was already too heavily damaged, as that is what happened with Eddie Guererro. He was taking drugs and steroids and he quit – only to have an enlarged heart consume him at the end. It really is a shame what happened to Test – he was at the prime of his career – and what an opponent to lose to.

I interviewed Test once at an autograph singing. What a nice guy he was. He joked with us off camera, made fun of a few of my crew members – and even was gracious enough to do a promo for our show. He gave us a great interview and I left that day knowing that someday – Test was going to be a huge Superstar in the WWE…

…and now – he is gone.

According to Tampa, Florida Police, a neighbor contacted police about 8:00pm saying she could see into Andrew Martin’s apartment through a window – and that he appeared motionless. Officers who arrived to check on Martin found him dead. What a shame to lose a great guy in such a sad way. I hate when I have to write a column about a wrestler in the prime of his career who has passed on – only to have to wish that he is in a better place.

If you click on the link of my website that says, “Photo Album” and then click on “Me With Pro Wrestlers” – you will see pictures of me with 69 wrestlers – and sadly – ten of them are now dead. Why does this keep happening? And more importantly – why doesn’t anyone do anything to stop it?

I will miss Test for the wrestler he was, the entertainer he became – and the true gentleman he was when we interviewed him. He left this Earth far too early – and I hope now – that he is in a better place.

Rest in peace Andrew – and please say hi to the other “boys” we lost.