ESPN reported that studies of the brain of Andrew “Test” Martin showed
damage from concussions, presumably suffered during his wrestling
career. Dr. Bennet Omalu, of the Sports Legacy Institute, the group
Chris Nowinski started, said Martin was suffering from chronic
traumatic encephalopathy, the same brain damage Chris Benoit and a
number of NFL football players who died young had. Omalu said Martin’s
brain resembled the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s who was twice his
age, and of boxers suffering from dementia pugilistica (punch-drunk
syndrome). Like Benoit, Martin’s brain had excessive amounts of tau
proteins, which damages normal brain functioning, kills brain cells and
controls moods. Dr. Julian Bailes said, “With Andrew Martin as the
second case, the WWE and the sport in general have to ask themselves,
`Is this a trend?’ The science tells us that jumping off ten foot
ladders and slamming people with tables and chairs is simply bad for
the brain.” The WWE issued a statement on the findings, saying, “While
this is a new emerging science, the WWE is unaware of the veracity of
any of these tests, be it for Chris Benoit or Andrew Martin. Dr. Omalu
claims that Mr. Benoit had a brain that resembled an 85-year-
old with Alzheimer’s, which would lead one to ponder how Mr. Benoit
would have found his way to an airport, let alone been able to remember
all the moves and information required to perform in the ring. WWE has
been asking to see the research and test results in the case of Mr.
Benoit for years and has not been supplied with them.” Bailes claimed
that the WWE has never made a request for any records, and he would
gladly let them review the data.. Omalu said that he spoke with
Martin’s parents, who said they he had shown signs of manic depressive
behavior, saying he couldn’t cope and they didn’t understand why he had
changed. It should be noted that Martin had a very serious drug
problem, dying from an overdose, and that level of drug problem would
lead to being a manic depressive and being out of control. Dawn Marie,
interviewed in the story, said she was friends with Eddie Fatu and he
was also suffering from depression.