WWE NXT General Manager Ava Announces Exit From Company

Simone Johnson — known to WWE fans as NXT General Manager Ava — has officially parted ways with WWE. The former Ava Raine confirmed the news on Friday, revealing she chose not to renew her contract and that this past Tuesday’s episode of NXT marked her final appearance with the company.

Taking to Instagram, Ava shared a heartfelt message thanking fans and those she worked with during her time in WWE. She acknowledged the decision wasn’t an easy one, but described it as a meaningful new chapter in her life.

“While my decision to not renew my contract was very difficult, it’s also a new turning point in my life,” Ava wrote. “It has been an honor & a privilege to be Ava.”

Ava’s WWE journey was historic from the start. As the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, she became the first fourth-generation wrestler to sign with WWE when she joined the company in February 2020. She began training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and eventually made her televised debut on NXT in October 2022 as part of Joe Gacy’s dark and controversial faction, The Schism.

Competing under the ring name Ava Raine — later shortened to Ava — her in-ring run was brief. She wrestled just four televised matches and never picked up a singles victory. Not long after, WWE pivoted her role on screen, positioning her as an assistant to Shawn Michaels before elevating her to the role of NXT General Manager in January 2024.

Despite limited ring time, Ava became a consistent on-screen presence as the authority figure of WWE’s developmental brand. One of her most high-profile moments came during NXT: New Year’s Evil in January 2025, when she shared a backstage segment with her father — a rare on-screen crossover between the two.

As of now, The Rock, who sits on TKO’s board of directors, has not publicly commented on his daughter’s departure.

What’s next for Ava remains unclear, but her exit closes a unique chapter in WWE history. Whether she stays connected to the wrestling business or pursues something entirely new, her decision marks a major shift — both for her personally and for the future direction of NXT’s on-screen leadership.

Ava Takes Charge as Director of WWE EVOLVE

Ava is continuing to rise through the ranks in WWE, as she has now taken on a new leadership role as the director of WWE EVOLVE.

During the premiere episode of the revamped brand on Wednesday night, Shawn Michaels appeared alongside Ava to kick off the show. While Michaels initially took charge of booking the matches for the debut episode, he later informed Ava in a backstage segment that he would be stepping aside, leaving the direction of WWE EVOLVE in her hands.

Ava, who has been serving as the General Manager of NXT since January 2024, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity and teased that she already has plans in motion for the next episode.

This marks another major step in Ava’s growing on-screen authority within WWE. With both NXT and EVOLVE now under her watch, it will be interesting to see how she shapes the future of WWE’s developmental landscape.