Ashley Marie Massaro[4] (May 26, 1979 – May 16, 2019) was an American professional wrestler, reality television contestant and model. She was best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and for her appearance on Survivor: China.

Ashley Marie Massaro
Massaro in 2011
Born
Ashley Marie Massaro

(1979-05-26)May 26, 1979
DiedMay 16, 2019(2019-05-16) (aged 39)
Resting placeSaint James Episcopal Church Cemetery
Alma materUniversity at Albany, SUNY
Occupation(s)Professional wrestler, reality television contestant and model
Years active2002–2019
Children1
Ring name(s)Ashley
Ashley Massaro
Billed height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1]
Billed weight110 lb (50 kg)[1]
Billed fromNew York City
Trained byDave Finlay[2]
Ricky Steamboat[2]
Trish Stratus[2]
Debut2005[3]
Retired2008[3]
Signature

Massaro made her debut in WWE after winning the WWE Raw Diva Search in 2005. She was first corporated into the Raw brand, where she had her first wrestling feud against Vince's Devils (a villainous female stable) while aligning herself with Trish Stratus to defeat the team. With Stratus, she was involved in another feud with the then-debuting Mickie James, who was obsessed with Stratus and jealous of Massaro's friendship with her, attacking and causing her to lose matches. Massaro was later drafted to SmackDown and became the valet for the WWE Tag Team Champions, Paul London and Brian Kendrick. Her most high-profile matches were a WWE Women's Championship match against Melina at WrestleMania 23 and a Playboy Bunnymania Lumberjill match at WrestleMania XXIV.

Massaro left WWE in July 2008. During her tenure in the company, she had appeared on the covers of several magazines, including the April 2007 issue of Playboy, and also made appearances on television and in music videos. In addition, she spent the last two years of her life working as a radio DJ for 94.3 The Shark.

Early life

edit

Ashley M. Massaro[4] was born in New York City[5] on May 26, 1979. She was raised in Babylon, New York,[6] where her brother, father, and uncle competed in amateur wrestling.[7] She graduated in 1997 from John Glenn High School in Elwood, New York,[8] and received a BSc in communication with a minor in business from the State University of New York at Albany.[7]

Professional wrestling career

edit

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE (2005–2008)

edit

Diva Search (2005)

edit
 
Massaro winning the 2005 WWE Diva Search contest

Massaro initially found out about World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) 2005 Raw Diva Search when she met a WWE casting director during a swimsuit pageant.[9] After beating the seven other chosen finalists, Massaro was declared the winner on the episode of Raw which aired on Monday, August 15, 2005.[10] Her winnings included $250,000 and a one-year contract with WWE.[10]

Feud with Vince's Devils and Mickie James (2005–2006)

edit
 
Massaro (in white blouse) wrestling Victoria during a house show in 2005

A week later on the August 22, 2005, episode of Raw, Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson attacked Massaro after pretending to welcome her to the brand.[11] Massaro's storyline feud with Wilson and Michelle continued over the next couple weeks, as the duo, along with their enforcer Victoria (dubbed as the "Skankateers" by commentator Jim Ross), made things difficult for Massaro.[12] Massaro made her in-ring debut on the August 29 episode of Raw, in a losing effort to Victoria.[13] On the September 5 episode of Raw, Massaro was defeated by Wilson due to interference from Victoria and Candice.[1] Massaro evened the score on the September 12 episode of Raw when she brought out the returning Trish Stratus (who then turned face), and the duo proceeded to attack them.[14] On the September 18 episode of Raw, The pair defeated the trio—who became known as the Ladies in Pink (and later Vince's Devils).[1] This led to a tag team match at Unforgiven, where the team of Stratus and Massaro defeated Wilson and Victoria.[15] The following night on Raw, Massaro accompanied Trish where she defeated Wilson. After the match, The duo were attacked by The Vince Devils.[1] The feud continued into WWE Homecoming, where Stratus and Massaro defeated Wilson, Candice, and Victoria in the first ever three on two Bra and Panties match by stripping all three of their opponents.[16] Massaro continued to wrestle matches through the rest of 2005 and was involved in the annual Fulfill Your Fantasy Diva Battle Royal at Taboo Tuesday for her first shot at the WWE Women's Championship.[17] Massaro eliminated Candice Michelle before being eliminated by Victoria.[17]

On January 8, 2006, at New Year's Revolution, Massaro won the first ever Bra and Panties Gauntlet match by being the final wrestler left still wearing her clothes.[18] Following WWE tradition, to please the fans, she removed them herself before making her exit.[18] Through the early part of this year, Massaro became the victim of a series of attacks from Mickie James.[19] At Royal Rumble on January 29, James defeated Massaro with then Women's Champion, Trish Stratus, as the special guest referee.[20] Massaro got her revenge one week later by pinning James in the rematch on Raw.[21] On the February 20 episode of Raw, however, Massaro suffered a fractured left fibula while being eliminated from the Women's Battle Royal,[22] and her feud with James was cut short.[19] She underwent surgery to insert a five-inch metal plate and eight screws into her leg.[9] During her recovery, Massaro still occasionally appeared on Raw as part of the Stratus/James feud, albeit in a non-active role.[19] Massaro returned on the March 20 episode of Raw, being kidnapped by James to lure Stratus in to saving her but James was successful and attacked Stratus.[1]

SmackDown! (2006–2007)

edit

Three months later after being once again absent, she returned to television on June 2, this time on SmackDown!, as a special guest commentator during a match between Kristal Marshall and Jillian Hall.[23] On the edition of June 9 of SmackDown!, Massaro defeated Marshall, Hall and Michelle McCool in a bikini contest.[24] On July 21 in SmackDown!, she won her debut match with the brand, in which she teamed up with Jillian Hall to defeat McCool and Marshall.[25] Two days later at The Great American Bash event, Massaro won a fatal four-way bra and panties match in which she defeated Hall, McCool and Marshall.[26] On the edition of August 4 of SmackDown!, Massaro broke a knuckle on her right hand in a match against Marshall, this made her be out of action for four weeks.[27][28]

 
Massaro during a house show in November 2007

She came back on September 8, teaming with Paul London and Brian Kendrick to defeat Idol Stevens, KC James and Michelle McCool in a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team match.[29] Following the victory, Massaro became the valet for London and Kendrick, accompanying them to the ring for their matches on SmackDown! and pay-per-views.[19] On the October 27 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro participated in a "Trick or Treat Battle Royal" which was won by Kristal.[1] On December 17, 2006 at a SmackDown! roster only exclusive pay-per-view by the name of Armageddon Massaro competed in a 4-Way SmackDown! women's Santa's little helpers Lingerie contest against Layla El, Kristal Marshall and Jillian Hall but the contest ended in a draw due to everyone winning via Santa's choice.[30] On the December 22 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro teamed up with Layla in a winning effort defeating Jillian Hall and Kristal in a tag-team match.[1] On the January 5 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro competed against Hall in a winning effort.[1] On the January 26 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro teamed up with London and Kendrick in a losing effort to the MNM (Mercury & Nitro & Melina) in a six-person mixed-tag-team match.[1] During the February 16, 2007 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro unveiled her Playboy cover.[31][32] Surrounding the release of the magazine, Massaro engaged in a feud with Jillian Hall, who was envious of the attention Massaro received due to the Playboy cover.[9][33] At No Way Out, Massaro won the first ever Diva Invitational by removing her top to reveal her breasts which were covered with Playboy bunny pasties.[34]

Massaro also began a feud with then WWE Women's Champion, Raw's Melina, who was angry over the publicity Massaro had been receiving because of the cover.[35] On the March 9 episode of SmackDown!, the rivalry was taken to the next level when a catfight broke out on the inaugural edition of Miz TV.[35] On the March 16 episode of SmackDown!, Ashley teamed up with London and Kendrick in a losing effort to MNM in a six-person mixed-tag-team match.[1] On the March 23 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro would get a catfight after Melina attempted to make an interference during Kendrick and Paul's match with MNM.[1] On the March 26 episode of Raw, Massaro teamed up with Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle in a winning effort defeating Melina, Hall and Victoria.[1] At WrestleMania 23, Massaro unsuccessfully challenged Melina for the WWE Women's Championship in a LumberJill match to retain her title.[19][36]

After WrestleMania, Massaro continued as a valet for WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick.[1] In storyline, on the April 13 episode of SmackDown!, Massaro was attacked by Jillian Hall.[37] In reality, Massaro had loosened a screw in her ankle, which had been inserted the previous year after she legitimately fractured her tibia and fibula while in a battle royal.[9][38] Massaro returned on the June 1, 2007, episode of SmackDown!, helping McCool defeat Hall after she distracted her.[1] This return was short-lived when on the edition of June 8 of SmackDown!, Massaro was suspended indefinitely after accidentally spilling Vince McMahon's coffee on him.[9][39] In reality, Massaro was taking time off to participate on the show Survivor.[19]

Various storylines (2008)

edit
 
Massaro along with her tag team partner Maria and Snoop Dogg at WrestleMania XXIV in March 2008

Massaro returned on January 7, 2008 to the Raw brand, winning a Lingerie Pillow Fight against Maria, Jillian Hall, Melina, and Mickie James.[40] On the January 14 episode of Raw, Massaro teamed up with Mickie James and Maria in a losing effort to the team of Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall, and Melina in a 6 person-tag-team match.[1] Massaro began a storyline with Maria and Santino Marella on the January 21, 2008 episode of Raw, attempting to convince Maria to pose for Playboy but was interrupted by Marella.[1] At the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Massaro again attempted to convince Maria by telling her that Hugh Hefner wanted her to pose for Playboy before Maria could answer Marella interrupted and objected to the proposal. Massaro would then beat down Marella's surprise Big Dick Johnson when he attempted to perform a striptease.[1] At the No Way Out pay-per-view, Massaro would appear with Maria in a segment at the Playboy Mansion.[1] On the March 24, 2008, episode of Raw, Massaro interfered in the match between Maria and Melina.[1] After the match, Santino Marella came down to the ring, so Jerry "The King" Lawler (who was tired of Marella's actions over previous weeks) knocked Santino out of the ring. Which set up the six-person mixed-tag-team match, in which they lost to Marella, Melina and Phoenix.[1] On March 30, 2008, Massaro replaced Candice Michelle, who was out with an injury, in the Playboy Bunnymania Lumberjack match at WrestleMania XXIV teaming up with Maria, losing to Beth Phoenix and Melina after the interference from Marella.[41]

On the April 14 episode of Raw, Massaro teamed up with Maria in a losing effort to the team of Melina and Hall in a tag-team match.[1] Massaro also participated in a 12 wrestler Tag Team match at Backlash, where Phoenix pinned her to get the win for her team.[19] On the April 28 episode of Raw, Massaro competed in her last match by teaming up with Michelle McCool, Cherry, Kelly Kelly, Maria and James in a winning effort defeating Layla, Melina, Phoenix, Natalya, Hall and Victoria.[1] Massaro was released from her WWE contract on July 9, 2008.[42][43] A week prior to her release, she announced that she had asked to be let go from her contract due to her daughter being sick.[19]

Independent circuit (2017)

edit
 
Massaro in 2013

In September 2017, Massaro made a brief return to professional wrestling by managing in Zero1 Professional Wrestling USA with former WWE Diva Jillian Hall.[44][45]

Other media

edit

Survivor

edit

Massaro was a contestant on CBS's Survivor: China, which was the fifteenth season of the show, in 2007.[7][46] Massaro approached the WWE with the idea of doing the show, and after going through the casting process, she found out she made the show ten days before she had to leave for China to film.[47] Prior to the experience, Massaro had never been camping before, so to train for the show she had to get used to being out in nature.[47] She was assigned to the Zhan Hu tribe in the first episode and quickly began quarreling with fellow contestant Dave Cruser.[48] In the second episode, Massaro was voted off after six days with a 6–1 vote.[48]

Modeling and acting

edit

Massaro competed in Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageants and was crowned Miss Hawaiian Tropic USA in 2002 and Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada in August 2004.[7][49][9] Massaro appeared in FHM, Stuff, Maxim, and on the cover of Playboy after joining WWE,[9] though she had previously posed for Playboy in 2003 and 2004.[50] Massaro tried out for Playboy scouts when they were searching for models for the 50th Anniversary Playmate Hunt.[51] She appeared in the accompanying pictorial in the December 2003.[51] In addition, she appeared in both Femme Fatales and Flex magazines.[7][9] Massaro also hosted several E! channel Wild On! episodes and appeared on Breaking Bonaduce as Danny Bonaduce's personal trainer.[7][19] Massaro guest starred on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition alongside WWE wrestlers John Cena and Batista.[7] In addition, she appeared in campaign ads for both Hawaiian Tropic and Yamaha.[9]

In February 2007, Massaro and Glenn "Kane" Jacobs filmed an episode of the CW's Smallville that aired on March 22, 2007.[7] In April 2007, Massaro also appeared as a guest on Fuse TV's show The Sauce.[7][52] On April 20, 2007, Massaro and several other female wrestlers filmed Timbaland's video, "Throw It on Me" featuring the Hives.[53] In 2008, she appeared in Rev Theory's video for "Hell Yeah."[54]

Video games

edit

Massaro appeared in two WWE video games. She made her in-game debut in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008[55] and returned in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009.[56]

Radio

edit

On June 30, 2018, Massaro began working as a radio DJ for Long Island station WWSK-FM / 94.3 The Shark where she originally worked the Saturday portion from 10 am to 3 pm.[57][58] Shortly before her death in May 2019, she was promoted to hosting the station's evening program on Wednesday nights.[59]

Personal life

edit

Massaro had one child, a daughter.[5] When her daughter became sick in mid-2008, Massaro asked for early release from WWE to care for her.[19] On May 22, 2019, after Massaro's death, several former WWE female wrestlers who were Massaro's coworkers, grouped as "The Squared Circle Sisters", opened a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe in order to create a college fund for her daughter, setting a goal of $100,000.[60]

 
Massaro with her brother in 2012

On November 21, 2020, Massaro's younger brother, Ronnie Massaro, was murdered after being stabbed in New York City at the age of 39.[61] He was buried in the same cemetery as her, the St. James Episcopal.[62]

Massaro had several tattoos, including a black and pink nautical star on the back of both of her elbows,[9] a pink and red dragon surrounding kanji lettering that translates to "Trust No One" going down the right side of her torso,[63] symbols on the small of her lower back, and a butterfly on her right hip. She also had several piercings, including a Monroe[64] and snakebites.[7][65]

WWE lawsuit and sexual assault allegation

edit

In November 2016, Massaro joined a class action lawsuit against WWE, litigated by Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against them, alleging that the company concealed risks of injury that caused them neurological damage. Massaro also alleged that she was sexually assaulted at a US military base during a WWE tour of Kuwait by a man posing as a doctor, and that WWE apologized but persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate authorities as they did not want it to affect the company's relationship with the military.[66] The lawsuit was dismissed in late 2018.[67]

After her death, WWE said they had received an email from Massaro in October 2018 in which she expressed regret for having taken part in the lawsuit.[67] An affidavit by Massaro describing the sexual abuse allegations in detail was subsequently released by the law firm that represented her after her death.[68] WWE later said executives there were not informed of the allegations described in the affidavit.[69]

Despite previous denials from WWE about having knowledge of her allegation, in February 2024 an attorney representing former WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis stated that: "most upper level management at sometime became aware of the allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim."[70] That month, Vice News reported that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service had investigated Massaro's allegations from June 2019 to January 2020, although no further information about the investigation is known at this time.[71] A further report by Vice News revealed that Massaro had accused WWE promoter Vince McMahon of "preying on female WWE wrestlers" and that she believed he had tried to sabotage her career after she rejected an advance from him.[72]

Death

edit
 
Grave of Massaro located in the Saint James Episcopal Church Cemetery in St. James, New York

On May 15, 2019, Massaro finished replying to fan mail,[73] but did not show up for work at WWSK-FM later that night, prompting another DJ to fill in for her.[59] At 5:23 a.m. the next morning, paramedics responded to a rescue call and discovered Massaro unresponsive at her home in Smithtown, New York.[8] When they arrived at the hospital, she was pronounced dead.[74]

On May 19 at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event, WWE acknowledged Massaro's death by projecting a graphic of her at the start of the show.[75][76] Visitation for Massaro was held that day and the next at the Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown.[77] On May 21, she was buried at the Saint James Episcopal Church Cemetery in St. James, New York.[4]

At the time of her death some news outlets, all citing the website TMZ, stated Massaro's death as a suicide.[69][78][79] Others, including CNN and The Nation, did not.[80][81] The Suffolk County medical examiner's office did not release an official cause of death, citing a New York state privacy law that allows withholding information that "would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy".[80] In September 2021, a USA Today article stated that she had died by suicide, and wrote that her death (along with the suicides of wrestlers Hana Kimura and Daffney in the succeeding two years) had spurred a conversation about mental health in the professional wrestling industry.[82]

Massaro had taken part in a suicide prevention music video by her WWSK co-worker Brian Orlando, who had recorded a song with Brandon B. Brown, Vinnie Dombroski, and Kevin Martin. Following her death, Orlando scrapped plans to release the video.[83] With her family's blessing, it was released in July 2020.[84]

Filmography

edit

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Smallville Athena Episode: "Combat"[85]
2007 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Herself [86]
2007 Survivor: China Herself 15th place[87]

Music videos

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2007 "Throw It on Me" Herself [85]
2008 "Hell Yeah" Herself [88]

Championships and accomplishments

edit

Beauty pageant

edit
  • Hawaiian Tropic
    • Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada (2004)
    • Miss Hawaiian Tropic USA (2002)

Professional wrestling

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Ashley Massaro". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "Diva Search... For Talent". July 5, 2006. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Ashley Massaro profile". CageMatch.net. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Ashley M. Massaro". Smithtown and Miller Place, New York: Branch Funeral Homes. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Sblendorio, Peter (May 17, 2019). "Ashley Massaro, former WWE star from New York, dead at 39". Daily News. New York City. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020. ...Massaro, who was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island.... Massaro's daughter Alexa, 18...
  6. ^ Raimondi, Marc (May 16, 2019). "Former WWE wrestler Massaro dies at age 39". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020. Massaro, who grew up in Babylon, New York...
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ashley [Survivor biography]". CBS. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007. Growing up in Long Island, New York, with a father, brother and uncle who competed in amateur wrestling...
  8. ^ a b "Police: Former WWE star Ashley Massaro found dead in Smithtown home". News 12 Long Island. May 17, 2019. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ashley Massaro". AskMen. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  10. ^ a b "HBK screwed Hogan". World Wrestling Entertainment. August 15, 2005. Archived from the original on October 24, 2005.
  11. ^ Hunter, Golden (August 22, 2005). "RAW Results – 8/22/05 – Hampton, VA (SummerSlam Fallout, More)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  12. ^ "SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Trish Stratus". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ "Tag Team Masterpiece". World Wrestling Entertainment. August 29, 2007. Archived from the original on May 21, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  14. ^ "Advantage Angle". WWE. September 12, 2005. Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
  15. ^ "Unforgiven 2005: Results". WWE. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  16. ^ "A Stunning Homecoming". WWE. October 3, 2005. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
  17. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. p. 119.
  18. ^ a b "Ashley def. Victoria, Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson and Maria (Bra & Panties Gauntlet Match)". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Waldman, Jon (July 10, 2008). "Diva's request granted – Ashley released from WWE". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  20. ^ "Mickie James def. Ashley with Trish Stratus as special guest referee". WWE.com. January 29, 2006. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  21. ^ "The Road to WrestleMania". World Wrestling Entertainment. February 6, 2006. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  22. ^ "Ashley Injury Update". World Wrestling Entertainment. February 22, 2006. Archived from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  23. ^ Hoffman, Brett (June 2, 2006). "All hail the king". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  24. ^ Martín, Adam (June 9, 2006). "SmackDown Results - 6/9/06 - Wheeling, WV (Rey Mysterio - Finlay)". wrestleview. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  25. ^ Tello, Craig (July 21, 2006). "Countdown to the Bash". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 17, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  26. ^ Hunt, Jen (July 23, 2006). "It's always Ashley, Ashley, Ashley". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
  27. ^ "Ashley Injured". World Wrestling Entertainment. August 5, 2006. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  28. ^ Hoffman, Brett (August 4, 2006). "Challenge from the grave". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 23, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  29. ^ Hoffman, Brett (September 8, 2006). "All the King's men". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  30. ^ Canton, John (December 8, 2022). "WWE Armageddon 2006 Review". Tjrwrestling.net. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  31. ^ DiFino, Lennie (February 16, 2007). "Out of control". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 1, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  32. ^ "Ashley Massaro, The WWE diva takes it all off in her Playboy pictorial!". Playboy. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  33. ^ Martin, Adam. "Smackdown Results – 3/2/07 – San Jose, CA (Lashley & Mr. Kennedy)". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  34. ^ "Diva Talent Invitational". WWE. February 18, 2007. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  35. ^ a b DiFino, Lennie (March 9, 2007). "Dominant expressions". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  36. ^ Hoffman, Brett (April 1, 2007). "Playboy Covered". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  37. ^ DiFino, Lennie (April 13, 2007). "Polar opposites". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  38. ^ DiFino, Lennie (April 14, 2007). "Ashley to have surgery". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 1, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  39. ^ Tello, Craig (June 8, 2007). "Chairman's descent". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  40. ^ Adkins, Greg (January 7, 2008). "Ashley's Back!". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  41. ^ Plummer, Dale (March 31, 2008). "Mayweather, Orton survive Mania; Edge, Flair don't". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ^ "Ashley Massaro released". WWE.com. July 9, 2008. Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  43. ^ "Ashley Massaro released". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  44. ^ "Wrestle World – ZERO1 USA returns to Mattoon, IL on September 2 with Ashley Massaro and Jillian Hall". www.pro-wrestling.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  45. ^ Zero1Usa Official (October 2, 2017). "DA Morrison Laying down the law to Ashley Massaro". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ Medalis, Kara A. (August 20, 2007). "'Survivor' Diva". WWE. Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  47. ^ a b Huff, Richard (September 17, 2007). "WWE's Ashley Massaro grapples to pin down 'Survivor' win". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  48. ^ a b Rocchio, Christopher (September 28, 2007). "Interview: Ashley Massaro dishes about her 'Survivor' smackdown". Reality TV World. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  49. ^ a b "Ashley's profile (archived)". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 26, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
  50. ^ Mooneyham, Mike (May 11, 2008). "WWE diva Massaro denies call girl allegations". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  51. ^ a b "The Great 50th Anniversary Playmate Hunt". Playboy. December 2003.
  52. ^ Hoffman, Brett (April 12, 2007). "Sexiest Woman on Fuse". Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
  53. ^ Medalis, Kara A. (April 20, 2007). "The Sexiest Women in L.A." World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2007.
  54. ^ "We've Got New Stuff" (PDF). Promo Only. August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 19, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  55. ^ Gred Miller (September 3, 2007). "SmackDown VS. Raw '08 Roster". IGN. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  56. ^ "Ashley SVR 2009". The SmackDown Hotel. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  57. ^ Massarro, Ashley [@ashleymassaro11] (June 16, 2018). "HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT" (Tweet). Retrieved September 11, 2019 – via Twitter. "Today I was announced as the newest addition to @943theshark radio! I'll be dj'ing on Saturdays from 10am-3pm...."
  58. ^ Massaro, Ashley (June 29, 2018). "THE BIG DAY IS TOM!". Ashley Massaro verified Instagram account. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2019. I start my career at @943theshark so make sure you tune in from 10am-3pm Saturday!
  59. ^ a b Upton, Felix (May 18, 2019). "More Details on Events Leading to Ashley Massaro's Death". Ringside News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  60. ^ "WWE Women Launch Fundraiser for Ashley Massaro's Daughter After Wrestler's Death". The Blast. May 22, 2019. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  61. ^ "Brother of late WWE star Ashley Massaro killed in Manhattan stabbing". New York City: WABC. December 1, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  62. ^ "Ronald F. Massaro". MOLONEY. November 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  63. ^ Massaro, Ashley (June 9, 2008). "Gimme a HELL F'N YEAH!!!Oh and new ink". MySpace. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  64. ^ "A Piercing Question: Is that a beauty mark?". The Charlotte Observer. November 2, 2003. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2009. I keep seeing young women with what looks like a beauty mark near their upper lip, but it's really a piercing. You'll hear the piercing referred to as... a Monroe...
  65. ^ Heckman, Candace (May 31, 2006). "Well Spent: Body piercing is outside law, 2 parents find". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  66. ^ Hohler, Bob (November 12, 2016). "Former WWE diva joins lawsuit, alleges sexual abuse, brain injuries". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  67. ^ a b Thompson, Andrew (May 17, 2019). "Report: WWE Claims That Ashley Masarro Reached Out In October Of Last Year To Make Amends". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  68. ^ Nason, Josh (May 22, 2019). "WWE releases statement on Ashley Massaro sexual assault claim". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  69. ^ a b Martinez, Phillip (May 23, 2019). "WWE Issues Statement on Ashley Massaro Sexual Abuse Allegations". Newsweek. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  70. ^ Carey, Ian (February 7, 2024). "John Lauriniatis lawyer: WWE knew about Ashley Massaro rape claim". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  71. ^ Marchman, Tim (February 7, 2024). "Despite Denials, WWE Management Knew Wrestler Said She Had Been Raped on Military Base". Vice News. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  72. ^ Currier, Joseph (February 9, 2024). "Ashley Massaro accused Vince McMahon of preying on female WWE wrestlers". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  73. ^ Massaro, Ashley [@ashleymassaro11] (May 15, 2019). "Just answered a ton of fanmail so you guys should be receiving them soon!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019 – via Twitter.
  74. ^ Mitchell, Houston (May 17, 2019). "Ashley Massaro, former WWE star, dies at 39". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  75. ^ Richard, Trionfo (May 19, 2019). "Complete WWE Money in the Bank Report: Two Ladder Matches, Two Women's Title Matches for Becky, Who Sits on the Thrones with the Briefcases, and More". PWInsider. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  76. ^ Stroud, Brandon (May 19, 2019). "WWE Money In The Bank 2019 Results". Uproxx. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  77. ^ Phillips, Jack (May 19, 2019). "Funeral services to be held for former WWE star Ashley Massaro". Long Island News 12. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  78. ^ "Heartbreaking Details Surrounding Ashley Massaro's Death". Extra. May 21, 2019. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  79. ^ "Ex-WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro Dead at 39". TMZ. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  80. ^ a b Jackson, Amanda (June 2, 2019). "Ashley Massaro wanted to donate her brain to CTE research. Here's what we know about head trauma in pro wrestling". CNN. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  81. ^ Zirin, Dave (May 23, 2019). "On the Passing of Former WWE 'Diva' and Whistle-Blower Ashley Massaro". The Nation. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  82. ^ Peter, Josh (September 10, 2021). "Professional wrestler deaths have sparked 'serious' conversations across locker rooms". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  83. ^ "ANLWP: Brian Orlando Talks Ashley Massaro and Suicide Prevention". AllNightLongWP. July 22, 2020. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  84. ^ Fleming, Kirsten (July 11, 2020). "Inside the suicide PSA video Ashley Massaro filmed just before her death". New York Post. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  85. ^ a b Wright, Adam. "WWE Breaking News: Ashley Massaro Released". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  86. ^ "Survivor Cast: Ashley". CBS. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  87. ^ "Survivor Smackdown: Pro Wrestler Goes Out with a Fight | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. October 2, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  88. ^ "BangShift Tune-Up: Ford Versus Pontiac And An Airplane Boneyard In Rev Theory's "Hell Yeah"". BangShift.com. May 17, 2015. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
edit