WWE Was Aware Of Ashley Massaro Sexual Assault Allegations

Content warning; discussion of alleged sexual assault

Despite WWE previously denying any knowledge of sexual assault allegations made by Ashley Massaro, the lawyer of John Laurinaitis has now confirmed that WWE "upper level management" were aware of these allegations.

In an affidavit released by her lawyer the day after her death in 2019, Massaro alleges she was injected with a paralytic agent and raped by somebody presented as a US Army doctor during a WWE public relations tour of Kuwait military bases in 2006. That affidavit claims Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis were aware of this incident and told her not to talk about it for fear of ruining the company's relationship with the military. As it was put by Ashley in the affidavit, McMahon "told me not to let one bad experience ruin the good work they were doing".

WWE released a statement on this shortly after the affidavit was released, stating they were never informed about the alleged assault, and if they were, they would have "reported it immediately to the Base Commander".

Commenting to Vice (via the Wrestling Observer), Laurinaitis' lawyer Edward Brennan said that WWE were aware of this incident, but he would not describe the situation as a "cover up".

Per Brennan:

"Any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitis 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."

The Naval Criminal Intelligence Service launched an investigation into Massaro's claims in June 2019. That case was closed in January 2020, and findings have not yet been made public.

Paul London - who at one time dated Massaro - has claimed on several occasions that Ashley was a victim of Vince McMahon's sexual misconduct, and that she would regularly be pressured to fly on McMahon's private jet.

Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis are currently part of a lawsuit brought by ex-WWE employee Janel Grant, who alleges McMahon, Laurinaitis, and other WWE figures abused her sexually, physically, and emotionally. In the immediate aftermath of these allegations, McMahon was forced to resign in disgrace for a second time.

Ashley Massaro sadly passed away on 16 May 2019 at just 39 years of age. Her death was ruled as suicide.