**Ava Johnson Announces WWE Exit, Sparking Fan Speculation**
Key Takeaways:
- 24-year-old Ava, daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has announced her departure from WWE.
- She served as NXT General Manager and was WWE’s first fourth-generation wrestling signee.
- Her sudden exit has created buzz among fans and raised questions about her next move.
Orlando, FL — Former NXT General Manager Ava, known outside the ring as Simone Johnson, publicly announced her departure from WWE in an Instagram post this week. The news quickly surged on Google Trends under the search term “ava wwe,” as fans and analysts speculated on the reasons behind her unexpected decision and what it might mean for the future of both the WWE and Ava’s career.
A Historic Run Concludes Unexpectedly
On June 11, 2024, Ava shared a personal message via her official Instagram page confirming that she is “officially concluding her time with WWE.” The 24-year-old had just recently made headlines within the wrestling community as the youngest General Manager in the company’s developmental brand, NXT, following her appointment on January 23, 2024. Her leadership tenure included significant moments like introducing the NXT Women’s North American Championship at the brand’s April premium event, Stand & Deliver.
Her exit comes after over four years with WWE. Ava signed with the company in February 2020, becoming the first-ever fourth-generation wrestler to be associated with WWE. Her lineage includes wrestling legends: her father, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson; her grandfather, Rocky Johnson; and her great-grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia.
From Legacy Signees to Leadership
After training at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Ava made her on-screen debut during an episode of NXT on October 25, 2022, aligning herself with the controversial faction The Schism, led by Joe Gacy. As “Ava Raine,” she largely served as a character manager before transitioning into in-ring action at Stand & Deliver on April 1, 2023, wrestling in an eight-person tag team match.
When The Schism disbanded in late 2023, many speculated on her future. Instead of shifting into full-time wrestling, she moved into a corporate authority role, assisting WWE executive Shawn Michaels. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to NXT General Manager at the age of just 22, a remarkable achievement by any industry standard.
Despite her short in-ring tenure, her influence was felt behind the scenes. During a time of transition for WWE’s NXT brand, Ava became a central figure in shaping developmental storylines and championing new titles for the women’s division.
Unexpected Timing Raises Speculation
Though Ava did not elaborate on her reasons for parting ways with WWE, the announcement’s timing is noteworthy. WWE has been undergoing internal shifts following its merger with UFC under TKO Group Holdings and amid ongoing discussions about brand development and youth integration. Ava had positioned herself as a major asset in that strategy.
Additionally, fans and insiders are speculating that Ava may explore opportunities beyond wrestling. Her background, charismatic presence, wrestling heritage, and media training position her as a viable candidate for roles in acting, sports media, or even executive leadership within sports and entertainment industries. Given her father’s massive success in both sports entertainment and Hollywood, eyes are firmly fixed on whether Ava will look to follow a similar path.
What This Means for WWE and NXT
Ava’s departure leaves a key vacancy in WWE’s NXT creative and operational leadership. As General Manager, she played a pivotal role in launching recent talent initiatives and championship reforms. The NXT Women’s North American title, introduced under her watch, remains one of the most progressive moves for WWE’s women’s division in recent years.
WWE has yet to officially comment on Ava’s departure or announce a replacement as of press time. It is unclear whether the current team under Shawn Michaels will absorb her responsibilities or if a new character or real executive will take on the GM role moving forward.
For WWE fans, Ava’s exit marks another in a series of high-profile departures and shifts within the company’s ranks, including several recent exits by younger stars and developmental talent. As WWE evolves in its post-Vince McMahon era, the emphasis on grooming and retaining homegrown stars like Ava has taken center stage—and her abrupt exit highlights the challenges of that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is “ava wwe” trending?
A: Ava, daughter of The Rock and NXT General Manager, announced she has left WWE, triggering widespread fan interest and media coverage.
Q: What happens next?
A: WWE has yet to name a new NXT General Manager, and fans await news on Ava’s next career move—potentially in entertainment, broadcasting, or business leadership.
#WWE #AvaWWE #TheRock #SimoneJohnson #NXTGM
