WWE/Ashley Massaro/InstagramFormer WWE wrestler Ashley Massaro has died aged 39.
There has been no official cause of death released as of yet, though reports state it is being classified as ‘non-criminal’.
Massaro was reportedly taken from her home in Suffolk County, New York, to a nearby hospital, though she sadly died on Thursday morning, May 16.
The wrestler and model famously won the WWE’s ‘2005 Raw Diva Search’, which included a $250,000 cash prize and a one year contract with the company. She went on to compete in tag team championships with Paul London and Brian Kendrick, while also pursuing a career as a model, appearing on the cover of Playboy in April 2007.
WWE said in a statement:
We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro.
She performed in WWE from 2005-2008 and was beloved by her fellow Superstars and fans around the world.
WWE offers its condolences to Ashley’s family and friends.
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. https://t.co/PqHSRbOGso
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2019
Massaro’s most high-profile wrestling matches were a WWE Women’s Championship, versus Melina, at Wrestlemania 23 in 2007, as well as a Playboy BunnyMania LumberJill matchup the following year at Wrestlemania 24.
Ashley also appeared on the reality series Survivor: China in 2007. She left WWE in 2008, but returned to wrestling with a different company in 2017, according to TMZ.
Massaro’s death comes just a few months after she said she was returning to wrestling once again, revealing to fans she was in training to get back in the ring. ‘Gonna be bumping around the ring starting next week at @NYWCWRESTLING… super pumped n ready to see what I got left in these ole boots of mine!’ she wrote in March this year.
Tributes have been pouring in for Ashley from fellow WWE wrestlers.
Mick Foley wrote:
This is just awful news – Ashley Massaro is gone. She was only 39. She lived in the same town as me…I loved seeing her around. She was always so nice…and now she’s gone.
This is just awful news – Ashley Massaro is gone. She was only 39. She lived in the same town as me…I loved seeing her around. She was always so nice…and now she’s gone. #RIPAshleyMassaro pic.twitter.com/wOUY4gsTQo
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) May 17, 2019
Torrie Wilson said:
I can’t even begin to explain how devastated I am to hear about @ashleymassaro11 – legit one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known. When we fall into a dark place it can seem like it will never change but if you are there PLEASE keep hope & reach out for help.
I can’t even begin to explain how devastated I am to hear about @ashleymassaro11 – legit one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known. When we fall into a dark place it can seem like it will never change but if you are there PLEASE keep hope & reach out for help.
— Torrie Wilson (@Torrie11) May 17, 2019
Layla El added:
Words cannot express my sadness for the Loss of @ashleymassaro. Ashley took me under her wing & was so sweet to Me. I have very fond memories, that I will treasure. Too young to be gone.
Words cannot express my sadness for the Loss of @ashleymassaro. Ashley took me under her wing & was so sweet to Me. I have very fond memories, that I will treasure. Too young to be gone.
"What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more pic.twitter.com/DDamfsbEdh
— Layla El (@mslayel) May 17, 2019
Our thoughts are with Ashley’s family and friends.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.