Andrew “Test” Martin may love wrestling, but his feelings for the WWE are clearly at the opposite end of the spectrum. Test’s MySpace page made it abundantly clear when he proclaimed, “free at last! I just asked for my release from wwe and got it!” The statement followed the WWE’s February 27, 2006 announcement that he had been released from his contract.

For some, this came as no surprise, following on the heels of Jim Ross’ recent confirmation that Test received a thirty day suspension for violating the WWE’s “Wellness Program.” Others speculated that his release was related to his involvement in a car crash last Friday night, although no one was injured and no charges have been filed.

While the WWE left out the detail’s of Test’s release in the two sentence send-off posted on their official site, Test happily confirmed that he had initiated the release and stated, “Sorry if I let any of you fans down but I needed to leave there for me.” Test’s MySpace blurb also revealed,

I still love wrestling, I always will but right now the WWE is not for me but no sour grapes I had some fun up until a month ago when the politics kicked in like they always do and at first ECW was so much fun, I can only imagine it when it was the real ecw but when Paul Heyman left ecw left with him..what was left of it.

Although Test will no longer be appearing on ECW, you can catch him in the new film Grindhouse premiering April 6, 2007. He appears in “Werewolf Women of the S.S.,” a fake trailer segment directed by Rob Zombie and featuring Nicolas Cage and, of course, Sheri Moon Zombie.

If you’re an Ariel fan and you haven’t see her new promotional photo shoot, get over to the WWE site right now. There are 25 new pics of Shelly Martinez bearing her fangs as her alter ego Ariel.

The new photo gallery features Ariel stretched out in a coffin with a bouquet of black roses. The ECW vixen is vamping it up in black fishnet stockings, fingerless gloves, and a cleavage-revealing bustier. This is one diva gallery that’s not to be missed!

Ashley Massaro is definitely the sweetheart of the WWE right now. For those of you who missed No Way Out 2007, Ashley completely stole the show from the ECW vixens by taking off her top to reveal her breasts (strategically covered by Playboy bunny body paint, of course.) Ashley had no problem winning the Diva Talent Invitational after Kelly Kelly, Layla El, and Brooke Adams failed to impress The Miz with yet another edition of Extreme Exposé.

Ashley has also been receiving plenty of attention for her upcoming appearance in the April 2007 Playboy Magazine. The issue (see preview above) features Ashley on the cover and will also include a bonus feature on Playboy alums Chyna, Torrie Wilson, and Sable.

But what many WWE fans don’t realize is that this isn’t Ashley Massaro’s Playboy debut. She was one of 10 finalists in Playboy’s 50th Anniversary Playmate Hunt and posed naked for a Cybergirl of the Week feature. She used the pseudonym Ryan MacKenzie for the Cybergirl pictorial spread which appeared in January 2004. More pics from the 2004 Playboy shoot here.

Update, 7/21/07: The old link to Ashley’s first Playboy spread no longer works, but you can find both of her playboy pictorials here. Warning: definitely NSFW.

Update, 2/19/08: All of the pics from Ashley Massaro’s 2004 nude Playboy spread can be found on Badgirlsblog.  Obligatory disclaimer: The site is obviously NSFW and I don’t own that site so no promises that it will remain popup and spyware free.  Visit at your own risk.

The ladies of Extreme Exposé may need to take a lesson from Ashley Massaro. Take note, Kelly, Layla, and Brooke: a nude Playboy spread makes your fans’ hearts grow fonder.

Anyone can get into Barbie Blank’s panties … for the right price.

If panties are your thing, check out the current WWE auction for the panties Barbie wore when she debuted as Kelly Kelly during the ECW premiere in June of 2006. The current bid for the ECW vixen’s ring worn panties is $422.50, but with 12 days left in the auction, the true market value of Barbie Blank’s used panties has yet to be determined.

Earlier this month, Candice Michelle’s event worn undies attracted 53 bids and sold for $557.50.

What do you guys think - will Kelly Kelly’s “gently worn” and autographed skivvies sell for more than Candice Michelle’s? How much would you be willing to pay to own the panties Barbie wore the first night she performed the first-ever ECW Extreme Strip Tease?

The rumor mill has been churning overtime with news that MTV’s new wrestling promotion, Wrestling Society X, is extremely interested in Francine Fournier. Last week, the popup heavy wrestling gossip sites (not linked to protect your computer and mine) reported that WSX was actively pursuing ECW alums Francine, Dawn Marie, and Missy Hyatt, as well as Shannon Spruill (aka Daffney from WCW).

Francine put speculation about her involvement to rest today by generously sharing the details of her talks with WSX. She revealed that WSX execs wanted her to fly to California for discussions this month, but while she appreciates the offer, she turned them down and will remain retired from full time professional wrestling. Francine plans to get married soon and confided, “I want to eventually start a family and just be ‘normal’ again.”

Francine may not be appearing on MTV any time soon, but she did share that the cable channel’s new wrestling promotion reminds her of old school ECW. “Now there is something worth watching on Tuesday nights,” she quipped.

As for the other divas reportedly being wooed by WSX, Francine’s one-time ECW rival Dawn Marie is said to have turned down an opportunity to introduce the musical acts on WSX. So far no word on whether Missy Hyatt and Daffney (both of whom appear with Francine on MissyHyatt.net) are engaged in talks with MTV or WSX.