In the late 1990s and early 2000s, WWE fans were treated to the imposing figure of Andrew Martin, better known as Test, dominating the wrestling scene. Little did anyone know, behind the scenes, a young talent named JR Ryder was being considered as a potential tag team partner for the towering giant. In a recent interview on the Cheap Heat Productions Podcast, Ryder shared an intriguing story about his brief brush with fame, where he was touted as a possible partner for Test.
Ryder, who made numerous appearances on WWE television as an enhancement talent and extra during that period, bears a striking resemblance to Test, which led many backstage to draw comparisons between the two. In fact, Ryder was affectionately referred to as “Quiz” due to his uncanny similarity to Test. The nickname, seemingly coined by either Luna Vachon or Viscera, even caught the attention of WWE’s then-Chairman Vince McMahon, who addressed Ryder as Quiz when they interacted backstage.
Interestingly, Ryder recalls that he was, at one point, considered as a potential opponent for Bob Holly and Crash Holly, alongside Test. However, the creative team decided to shelve the idea and instead paired Test with Albert and Trish Stratus to form the T&A faction.
While Ryder’s brief stint as a potential tag team partner for Test never came to fruition, his memories of that era provide a fascinating look into the inner workings of WWE during that time. Test, who sadly passed away in 2009 at the age of 33, left an indelible mark on the wrestling world, winning multiple titles, including the Intercontinental Championship and the tag titles with Booker T.
Looking back, it’s intriguing to imagine how Ryder’s career might have panned out had he been paired with Test as originally planned. Would they have become a dominant force in the tag team division, or would they have fizzled out? Unfortunately, we’ll never know for certain, but Ryder’s story serves as a reminder of the many “what ifs” in WWE history.
The wrestling world will continue to reminisce about Test’s remarkable career, and JR Ryder’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many untold tales hidden behind the scenes of the WWE universe.
