WWE star Andrew “Test” Martin was just 33 when he died in 2009, the latest in a spate of wrestler deaths. In the last interview he gave before his death, he revealed that he “went to eight funerals” in a single year, adding, “Do I want to join that club? Hell, no, I don’t want to join that club. So either you clean up, straighten up, or lay down beside them.” The Canadian died of an accidental oxycodone overdose the following year.
The death of Martin, who outwardly appeared to be in peak physical condition, prompted some soul searching in wrestling circles. As ESPN recounted, he had been released from the WWE after testing positive for testosterone, and his problems with painkiller addiction were well documented. The WWE reportedly stepped in to cover the cost of a rehab program, but the company ultimately came under fire when experts linked Martin’s time in the ring to his death.
“After repeated blows to the head, at some point the brain loses the ability to heal itself,” brain injury specialist Dr. Bennet Omalu told ESPN. “The delicate balance of the neurotransmitters, which control moods and drives and maintains satiety, can be destroyed.” Martin had been displaying “manic depressive behavior” prior to his death, Omalu said.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).