Claim Suggests WWE Management Knew About Ashley Massaro Allegations

WARNING: This article contains accounts of alleged rape, harassment, and suicide. 

The lawyer representing former WWE executive John Laurinaitis has claimed that WWE management knew about the allegations made by Ashley Massaro, in contradiction of previous claims by WWE.

Following her passing in May 2019, Ashley's lawyer released an affidavit in which Massaro alleged she was injected with a paralysing drug and raped by someone representing himself as a United States Army doctor while WWE were doing a PR tour at a Kuwait army base in 2006. Massaro also claimed that top WWE executives, including Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis, told her not to talk about the incident to preserve the company's relationship with the US military. 

Massaro stated in the affidavit: "(McMahon) told me not to let one bad experience ruin the good work they were doing."

WWE subsequently released a statement following the affidavit's publication, claiming they were never informed about the alleged incident and they would have reported it immediately to the base commander if the company had been told. 

In a new claim from John Laurinaitis' lawyer Edward Brennan to VICE News, however, it has been suggested that WWE management were aware of the allegations. Laurinaitis has disputed that WWE covered up the incident, though.

"Any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitus helped to cover up an alleged rape allegation is an outright lie. Johnny, like 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. We object to the use of the term cover up as no such plan or plot ever took place to hide or assist in the alleged rape," Brennan told VICE News.

VICE has also reported that the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service opened an investigation into Massaro's allegations in June 2019. The investigation was closed in January 2020 but further information can not be immediately released as it would need to be obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. 

TKO declined to comment, and representatives of Vince McMahon have not responded to requests for comment. 

Ashley Massaro passed away on May 16, 2019 at the age of 39. The official cause of death has not been publicly revealed but reports have claimed she died by suicide and her survivors have not disputed that. 

Former WWE talent Paul London stated in 2022 on Café de Rene that Ashley was subjected to harassment from Vince McMahon.

"I do remember, specifically, many times when she would be crying to me because Vince was propositioning her to fly on the jet with them. Kevin Dunn, Bucktooth Bucky, would be telling her that she has to fly on the jet with them... Every now and then, they'd always put the Divas up at like the TV hotel or whatever, he'd be knocking on her door and trying to get her to answer," London said.

Vince McMahon is no longer a part of WWE or TKO, having resigned as TKO Executive Chairman on January 26. This came after McMahon was accused of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse in a lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant. John Laurinaitis was also accused of sexual assault in the lawsuit and WWE were accused of trying to cover up the allegations against McMahon. John Laurinaitis has since claimed he is a victim of Vince McMahon's. 

Vince McMahon remains a major shareholder in TKO. He is under investigation by the federal government for multiple allegations of sexual assault.

H/T Wrestling Inc.