Ava – real name is Simone Johnson – is the first fourth-generation wrestler in WWE’s history and posted the shock news on Instagram to her thousands of followers
22:45, 30 Jan 2026Updated 22:46, 30 Jan 2026
Dwayne Johnson and Ava Raine attend the “The Smashing Machine” UK special screening at BAFTA on September 24, 2025 in London(Image: Jeff Spicer/WireImage)
WWE fans have been left stunned after Ava, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s daughter, officially confirmed she has quit the company, bringing her NXT run to a sudden and emotional end. Tuesday (January 27) night’s episode of WWE NXT marked the final appearance of Ava, real name Simone Johnson.
The 24-year-old later revealed she had chosen not to renew her WWE contract. The shock announcement was made via Instagram on Friday (January 30) and sent the wrestling world into meltdown.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Ava wrote: “This past Tuesday was my last appearance on NXT & subsequently WWE. Thank you to all who have cheered, watched, and supported me through my journey.”
Ava Raine in ring portrait during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on February 21, 2023 in Orlando(Image: WWE via Getty Images)
She added: “While my decision to not renew my contract was very difficult, it’s also a new turning point in my life. It has been an honor & a privilege to be Ava.”
As the daughter of Hollywood megastar and WWE legend The Rock, Ava has lived her entire career under the spotlight. She made history in February 2020 when she signed with WWE, becoming the first-ever fourth-generation wrestler in the company’s history.
Her on-screen debut came in October 2022 as part of Joe Gacy’s faction The Schism, before she later shifted into a surprising authority role. That move paid off in a big way in January 2024, when Ava shattered another record by becoming the youngest General Manager in WWE history at just 22 years old.
WWE legend’s daughter quits company with shock statement(Image: WWE)
During her time in charge, she played a key role in shaping NXT’s future, most notably unveiling the NXT Women’s North American Championship at Stand & Deliver 2024, a moment that cemented her influence behind the scenes. The Rock spoke about his daughter’s career last year, saying she was “born into it just like I was”.
He told MTV UK: “She said, ‘Hey, I want to do what you do,’ but the difference is, that’s why I get emotional because she’s like, ‘I want to do what you do, but I want to carve my own path.’ That’s the difference.
“That was a big deal when I heard that because it’s easy for any kid who wants to come up and do what their parents are doing to, maybe it’s not overt, but to utilise the influence. It never happened.
“I never got that call like, ‘Hey, can you call someone?’ I never got that call, and that’s the truth.
“That’s the thing that makes me proud. I would have been there anyway.
“I would have made that call, but when you don’t get it, it gave me a profound sense of pride because I helped with her mom raise an amazing human being.”
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