Ashley Massaro, 2005 WWE Diva Search Winner, Passes Away
She was 39...
Ashley Massaro, known to wrestling fans for her three-year tenure with WWE between 2005 and 2008, beginning with her winning of the 2005 Diva Search, passed away Thursday morning, according to The Blast. She was ten days shy of her fortieth birthday.
According to The Blast's report, an emergency call was placed after 5:00 AM from her home in Smithtown, Long Island. The cause of death is currently under investigation, though the report claims that no foul play is believed to have been committed.
During Massaro's three-year run with WWE, she wrestled at numerous pay-per-views, including WrestleManias 23 and 24. At WrestleMania 23, she unsuccessfully challenged Melina for the WWE Women's championship. A year later in Orlando, she teamed with Maria Kanellis in a loss to Beth Phoenix and Melina.
In addition, Massaro briefly managed Paul London and Brian Kendrick on the SmackDown brand, during their time as WWE Tag Team champions. One of her earlier angles of note pitted her in the midst of Mickie James' unrequited affection toward Trish Stratus.
During her time with the promotion, Massaro appeared on the cover of the April 2007 edition of Playboy, and was also a contestant on CBS' Survivor: China in that same year. She also appeared in music videos for Timbaland's "Throw it on Me" and Rev Theory's "Hell Yeah".
All of us at Cultaholic offer our condolences to Ms. Massaro's family and friends.
According to The Blast's report, an emergency call was placed after 5:00 AM from her home in Smithtown, Long Island. The cause of death is currently under investigation, though the report claims that no foul play is believed to have been committed.
During Massaro's three-year run with WWE, she wrestled at numerous pay-per-views, including WrestleManias 23 and 24. At WrestleMania 23, she unsuccessfully challenged Melina for the WWE Women's championship. A year later in Orlando, she teamed with Maria Kanellis in a loss to Beth Phoenix and Melina.
In addition, Massaro briefly managed Paul London and Brian Kendrick on the SmackDown brand, during their time as WWE Tag Team champions. One of her earlier angles of note pitted her in the midst of Mickie James' unrequited affection toward Trish Stratus.
During her time with the promotion, Massaro appeared on the cover of the April 2007 edition of Playboy, and was also a contestant on CBS' Survivor: China in that same year. She also appeared in music videos for Timbaland's "Throw it on Me" and Rev Theory's "Hell Yeah".
All of us at Cultaholic offer our condolences to Ms. Massaro's family and friends.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.