By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

ESPN filed an extensive report on brain damage to pro athletes, especially pro wrestlers, with the big news that former WWE wrestler Andrew "Test" Martin had brain damage similar to Chris Benoit's at the time of his death in March.

ESPN reported that studies conducted on Martin's brain revealed that Martin had damage "stemming from repeated blows to the head." Dr. Bennet Omalu, co-director of the Brain Injury Research Institute, told ESPN that they discovered "excessive amounts of tau proteins similar to those he found in Benoit."

Omalu added that Martin's brain was similar to Benoit's in resembling "those of Alzheimer's patients more than twice their age."

"After repeated blows to the head, at some point the brain loses the ability to heal itself," Omalu said. "The tau impairs normal brain function and kills brain cells. The delicate balance of the neurotransmitters, which control moods and drives and maintains safety, can be destroyed."

Omalu continued: "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 10-foot ladders and slamming people with tables and chairs is simply bad for the brain."

Meanwhile, WWE is promoting the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) PPV on Sunday where advertising for the event focused on wrestlers falling of ladders, being hit with chairs, and falling through tables.

WWE responded to the report by claiming they have not seen any of the research on Benoit and Martin and cannot address the claims.

"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," said WWE.

"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 that is required to perform in the ring. WWE has been asking to see the research and tests results in the case of Mr. Benoit for years and has not been supplied with them."

The Brain Institute responded they have "never received a request from the WWE to see the Benoit records."

Link: The must-read story from ESPN is here.

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