Ashley Massaro: Former WWE star Ashley Massaro of Smithtown dies at 39
- by Satyam-Singh
- May 18, 2019 13:20
Ashley Massaro, a former WWE star who was a “Survivor” contestant, a magazine cover model, and most recently a Long Island disc jockey, has died, the organization announced Thursday night. Also has an 18-year-old daughter.
"We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro. WWE offers its condolences to Ashley’s family and friends," World Wrestling Entertainment tweeted Thursday night.
TMZ reported that Massaro was transported from her home on Long Island to a local hospital where she died. Though her cause of death is unknown, TMZ reports her death is classified as "non-criminal."
Massaro signed with the WWE in 2005 after winning their 'Diva Search' competition, sort of "American Idol" for would-be wrestling starlets — by demonstrating she had just the right combination of charisma, athleticism and sex appeal to be part of the WWE. She outlasted thousands of entrants and eight finalists, who competed in televised challenges for two months to earn the title, which came with a $250,000 one-year contract. She wrestled for WWE until 2008.
Massaro sued WWE in 2016, according to the Boston Globe, alleging that she was sexually assaulted at a US military base in Kuwait during a WWE trip. She also joined dozens of other wrestlers to allege that WWE concealed the dangers of head injuries that have caused them neurological damage, according to the report.
Massaro made her debut in WWE after winning the WWE Diva Search in 2005. Following an initial rivalry with Vince's Devils – an alliance of female villains – she 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. She left WWE in mid-2008. During her tenure in the company, she had appeared on the covers of several magazines, including the April 2007 issue of Playboy. She also made guest appearances on several television shows and performed in music videos.
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