TRIGGER WARNING
After Ashley Massaro died in May 2019, an affidavit was made public where she alleged WWE covered up that she was sexually assaulted while on a military base in 2007.
At the time, WWE published the following statement regarding the allegations:
At no time was Vince McMahon or the management of WWE ever informed by Ashley Massaro or anybody else that she had been sexually assaulted, drugged, raped or sodomized by a military doctor with a nurse standing guard while on a goodwill tour in 2007 to U.S. military bases in Kuwait. In fact, if she ever articulated such a claim to WWE, we would have reported it immediately to the Base Commander.
At no time was there ever a meeting with Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn, John Laurinaitis or other company executives in which she told them of such a claim and was instructed to keep it quiet.
Speaking to NewsNation, Cara Pipia, a lifelong friend of Massaro, claims that, after the alleged sexual assault happened, Ashley had a boardroom meeting with executives, including Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon, and she was told "this has to stay under wraps."
"She walked into the boardroom. She was threatened, there was no compassion, no sympathy. Nothing," said Pipia.
Pipia claims that Massaro spoke with the locker room doctor, who was allegedly aware of everything, before the meeting and that he was sympathetic, but couldn't do anything.
Pipia claims that Ashley had phone calls with WWE while still in Kuwait after the alleged sexual assault occurred. She claims that Vince had Stephanie made her feel comfortable and they "played with her" because Stephanie made her feel safe.
Cara Pipia, friend of Ashley Massaro, a former WWE star who accused Vince McMahon of covering up an alleged rape, joined #Banfield to discuss the allegations made. MORE: https://t.co/UH9s3sC401 pic.twitter.com/Ep927Xrxgb
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 15, 2024
In a statement on February 7, the lawyer for John Laurinaitis objected to the use of the term “cover-up" in regard to Massaro's previous allegations but confirmed that Laurinaitis knew about the allegations and said “most upper-level management” was aware. You can find the full comments by clicking here.
On February 9, a previously unpublished statement was released by Massaro where she accused Vince of sexually preying on wrestlers.
Update: Massaro's daughter, Alexa, took to Twitter/X and wrote that Cara was not a friend of her mother's when she passed. She stated that Cara was an ex=best friend who spam messaged her with "unsettling and delirious" messages since her mother's passing.
Alexa also said that Cara has "fabricated" bizarre messages. She wrote that Cara harassed her and her grandma, and she has messaged her family members mean things. However, she noted that Cara could be correct, but she was the last person Ashley would want to speak on her behalf.
Additionally, Alexa said that no one who supported the Massaro family would go to the media, as that was against their wishes and those of her mother. Alexa also wrote that the things her mother faced during her years with WWE were real.
Cara Pipia wasnt even a friend of my mothers when she passed. she was an ex bestfriend who, since her passing, has just spam messaged me unsettling/ delirious messages and has fabricated bizarre messages etc etc https://t.co/T9RSbCsyE7
— lex (@alexaiswell) February 21, 2024
A lawsuit was filed by former employee Janel Grant against Vince McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE in January. Grant accuses McMahon of sexual assault, emotional abuse, and sex trafficking. Vince is under federal investigation.
Victim Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hours: Available 24 hours
1-800-656-4673
