Ashley vs WWE: The Story of Wrestler Ashley Massaro

By: Forest Sounds

Narrated by: Isobel Thompson

Professional wrestler Ashley Massaro died by suicide in 2019. Ashley vs WWE follows events leading up to her death and examines allegations of abuse while she was wrestling for WWE. As journalist Isobel Thompson delves into Ashley's story, she investigates whether her allegations are just the tip of the iceberg. This story takes Isobel from the UK, to Ashley’s home of Long Island, and into the world of WWE wrestling in the early 2000s - where the power, influence and misogyny of the real world played out through the characters in the ring.

Now available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

Content Warning: This series contains strong language and descriptions of violence and sexual abuse. It also discusses drug use, mental health and the theme of suicide in detail. Listener discretion is advised. If you have been affected by any of the themes in the series please find below links to organisations that can help you:

https://sexualabusesupport.campaign.gov.uk/#support

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/

Samaritans - call 116 123 or email [e-mail] or [e-mail].

You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK - Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).

SANEline - If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.

Survivors of Bereavement By Suicide - www.uksobs.org

Other international crisis helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

©2023 We Are Forest Ltd (P)2023 Audible, Ltd.

Heartbreaking

This story is truly heartbreaking. I could not listen to it all in one sitting and broke it up over several months. Ashley Massaro sounds like a wonderful person who was chewed up and spit out like a piece of gum that lost its flavor, then left on the side of the road to decompose. My heart breaks for everyone who knew her personally, but most of all, my heart breaks for Ashley.

She deserved better.

Makes good points, misses on others

I would definitely listen to a podcast about abuse in the military, because she was onto something there. It was a good dive, but she fell into the pitfalls of people who really don’t understand wrestling. She dove into articles and books from people who hate wrestling, and dug up the same talking points as those trying to bury the industry. Plus, asking just one wrestling fan would have saved her the trouble of looking for Vince McMahon on Wrestlemania weekend.Good story, but tired burial of wrestling as a whole at times.

I never suspected Vince McMann was such a true LOWLIFE

I will keep watching the show but my opinion of Vince is forever changed, i mean i could tell he really is a prick, but to not only do what he did to Ashley but also allow all that happened to her it sickens me to my core

Ashley’s truth!

As a WWE fan I vividly remember the first time I saw Ashley Massaro walk down a ramp and enter a ring and I said she’s gonna be my new favorite diva! I loved her style & energy. I have actually interacted with her & with her cousin on social media. She seemed genuine & down to earth but I could sense that the smiles and happy appearance were only to hide the pain & sadness because she didn’t want others to feel what she felt. (I struggle with mental illness myself & am also empathetic) Her cousin also struggled & I could tell she got in a much worse place after Ashley’s death, understandably. I believe she even deactivated her social media pages because we lost contact shortly after Ashley’s death. I truly do appreciate honest journalism & appreciate how you were honest, yet also respectful, while telling Ashley’s story. It is great to know that her struggles & her untimely death were not all in vain. Ashley’s truth will bring awareness about a lot of things, not only in the WWE, but in the armed forces, also awareness of depression, addiction, workplace misconduct of all kinds, suicide, etc. It is just so sad that one person had to endure so much without help. Her spirit will live on. Thank you!

Excellent

The important story of Ashley Massaro is well told in this audio documentary. The wall of silence around it is broken here by only a few people willing to risk financial ruin and backlash. This is a well produced and important work.

WWE presents itself as “putting smiles on faces” but look behind the curtain and know the truth, that all our dollars that support that company enable rape, sex trafficking, abuse, and the destruction of democracy. If we continue to give them our money, that’s on us, not them.

Wonderful sad story of a real person

Suicide is way too prevalent in our society. People who are the victims of sexual violence are more likely to kill them selves. Although there is way more to the story of her life than suicide or sexual violence, that is a good take away.
She was exploited because she was a beautiful woman.
Yes, she made decisions to be in the wrestling world, but that world is toxic and once she was in there, seems like there was no way out.
She sounds like she was a really wonderful person.

Wow!

I just so happen to be listening to this on February 1st 2024. Vince McMahon has been accused of sex trafficking and all sorts of disgusting stuff. The relationship with the paralegal has all come out. That’s funny to me.

Ma’am you did a magnificent job with this story. This is a superb piece. I listened to the entire series all at once. Your research. Your soundbytes and interviews were perfect. Even the music! Everything was just right. Thank you for being bold enough and brave enough to share this story. Ashley is smiling. And she has you to thank and she can rest.

Ps… I was at Wrestlemania too!!! lol

Ashley was Sunshine

I'm both happy her story is being told and sad that I'm not at all surprised by Ashley's allegations. It's never too late to do the right thing.

Finally an honest look into WWE

Outstanding reporting on this topic. The investigation done by the host seemed very good. I have been a wrestling fan for over 40 years. This is one of the first podcasts that wasn’t done by a former wrestler or company representative (writer/executive) that gave an honest look into the WWE.

Just wow…

Thank you telling Ashley’s story in a non exploitative manner. Great at capturing who she was as a person not just a wrestler. I hope this inspires more wrestlers to speak up.