Ava (wrestler) explained

Ava
Birth Name:Simone Garcia Johnson[1]
Names:Ava[2]
Ava Raine[3] [4]
Family:Anoaʻi
Parents:Dwayne Johnson
Dany Garcia
Height:5 ft 10 in[5]
Birth Date:14 August 2001
Birth Place:Davie, Florida, U.S
Weight:143 lb
Trainer:WWE Performance Center[6]
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Debut:April 1, 2023

Simone Garcia Johnson[7] (born August 14, 2001)[8] is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE under the ring name Ava (shortened from her previous ring name Ava Raine) and appears as the on-screen general manager of the NXT brand, making her the youngest on-screen general manager in the company’s history. Johnson is a fourth-generation wrestler, being the daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, connecting her to the Anoaʻi family of Samoan wrestlers.

Early and personal life

Johnson was born in Davie, Florida[9] on August 14, 2001.[10] She is the first daughter of professional wrestler and entertainer Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (through whom she has two younger sisters from his second marriage)[11] and his ex-wife Dany Garcia, a Cuban American businesswoman, IFBB professional bodybuilder and producer.[12] [13] [14] Johnson's parents announced their separation on June 1, 2007[15] [16] and divorced in May 2008.[17] From her father's side, Johnson is the granddaughter of Ata (née Maivia) and Rocky Johnson, a Samoan and Black Nova Scotian respectively. Through her paternal grandmother, she is a non-blood relative of the Anoaʻi wrestling family.

In January 2018, Simone was at the inaugural Golden Globes Ambassador for the ceremony's 75th Anniversary.[18] [19] [20] [21] She attended the private high school of NSU University School, where she graduated and earned her diploma in May 2019.[22] [23] After graduating, Simone had initially planned to take up her college studies at New York University in August 2019, but when she suffered a knee injury a month prior in July, she decided to stay in Orlando, Florida to pursue her professional wrestling career.[24] [25] She has cited her grandmother as the person who got her in to wrestling.[26]

Professional wrestling career

General Manager of NXT (2020-present)

In November 2017, Johnson expressed her interest in becoming a professional wrestler.[27] [28] In February 2020, WWE announced that Johnson had reported to the WWE Performance Center and had begun her training, making her the first fourth-generation wrestler and one of the youngest talents to sign a contract with the company.[29] [30] [31] [32]

On the October 25, 2022, episode of NXT, Johnson made her first televised appearance, revealing herself to be a member of Joe Gacy's villainous faction, Schism.[33] [34] [35] She debuted under the ring name Ava Raine, but this was later shortened to Ava on February 14, 2023.[36] [37] Ava made her in-ring debut on April 1 at Stand & Deliver with Schism, losing to Chase University.[38] [39] [40] Schism would slowly begin to disband in September 2023, starting with the expiration of The Dyad's contracts on September 14,[41] and culminating in a backstage segment in October where Gacy declared that Schism is dead. After Schism, she became the on-screen assistant of Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels. Her role includes being the intermediary between talents and Michaels as well as making announcements on Michaels' behalf.[42] On January 23, 2024, she was promoted to become the new General Manager of NXT, becoming the youngest general manager in WWE.[43] Ava made her main roster debut appearance three days later on SmackDown where she assisted General Manager Nick Aldis with the Royal Rumble entry draw.[44] At NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, she announced the creation of the NXT Women's North American Championship. The title was introduced as the equivalent to its male counterpart, making the title the first women's secondary championship in WWE.[45]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Docking . Neil . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter starts training to become WWE star . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180914131805/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/dwayne-the-rock-johnsons-daughter-13231563 . September 14, 2018 . September 13, 2018.
  2. Web site: Ava . WWE.com . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217023411/http://wwe.com/superstars/ava . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023.
  3. Web site: McGuinness . Devan . The Rock's Daughter Just Picked Her Wrestler Name And It's Perfect . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220531164157/http://fatherly.com/entertainment/the-rocks-daughter-just-picked-her-wrestler-name-its-perfect . May 31, 2022 . May 31, 2022.
  4. Web site: Campbell . Tina . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter Simone reveals professional wrestling name as she prepares for WWE debut . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220530164441/http://standard.co.uk/news/world/dwayne-johnson-the-rock-daughter-simone-wwe-wrestling-name-ava-raine-b1003248.html . May 30, 2022 . May 30, 2022.
  5. Web site: Nedd . Alexis . 9 Simone Garcia Johnson Facts You Probably Didn't Know . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180110033833/http://cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a14928754/simone-garcia-johnson-the-rock-daughter-facts/ . January 10, 2018 . January 9, 2018.
  6. Currier . Joseph . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Daughter, Simone, Makes On-Screen WWE Debut . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026140618/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/10/26/simone-johnson-ava-raine-wwe-nxt-debut . October 26, 2022 . October 26, 2022.
  7. Web site: Singh . Olivia . Dwayne Johnson's 16-year-old daughter wants to be a WWE wrestler — and he fully supports her . . April 1, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230401221831/https://www.insider.com/dwayne-johnson-daughter-simone-garcia-johnson-wants-to-be-wwe-wrestler-video-2018-7 . April 1, 2023 . July 10, 2018.
  8. Web site: Gariano . Francesca . Dwayne Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007145347/http://people.com/parents/all-about-dwayne-johnson-children/ . October 7, 2022 . October 7, 2022.
  9. News: Sadler . Armon . Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Daughter, Simone, Debuts On WWE . April 2, 2023 . . October 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028203309/https://www.vibe.com/news/sports/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-daughter-simone-wwe-debut-1234706698/ . October 28, 2022.
  10. Web site: Zeller . Terry . Simone Johnson: 5 Things About 'The Rock's Daughter, 21, Who Just Made Her WWE TV Debut . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027031528/http://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-is-simone-johnson-4752464/ . October 27, 2022 . October 27, 2022.
  11. Dwayne Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know. People. Gariano. Francesca. April 17, 2023.
  12. Web site: WWE: The Rock's daughter, Simone Johnson, will step into the ring . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200212155701/http://bbc.com/news/newsbeat-51471305 . February 12, 2020 . February 12, 2020.
  13. Web site: Hargrave . Hannah . Dwayne Johnson's daughter Simone is so grown up - see the WWE star Ava Raine . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015210948/http://hellomagazine.com/celebrities/20221015154269/dwayne-johnson-daughter-simone-transformation-wwe-ava-raine-the-rock/ . October 15, 2022 . October 15, 2022.
  14. Web site: FitzPatrick . Hayley . Dwayne Johnson's heartfelt post to his daughter on her 18th birthday will make you want to call your dad . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190814223043/http://goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/dwayne-johnsons-heartfelt-post-daughter-18th-birthday-make-64965303 . August 14, 2019 . August 14, 2019.
  15. Web site: Jordan . Julie . June 1, 2007 . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson & Wife Split Up . https://web.archive.org/web/20161023083457/http://people.com/celebrity/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-wife-split-up/ . October 23, 2016 . April 2, 2023 . People.
  16. Web site: Sulway . Verity . August 18, 2021 . Dwayne Johnson's 'screwed up' first marriage, family tragedy and depression battle . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818130030/http://mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/dwayne-johnsons-screwed-up-first-24783522 . August 18, 2021 . April 2, 2023 . Daily Mirror.
  17. Web site: Nguyen . Andrew . 2022-01-10 . How Business Mogul Dany Garcia Gets It Done . 2022-03-30 . The Cut . en-us.
  18. Web site: Miller . Mike . November 15, 2017 . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Daughter Simone Named 2018 Golden Globe Ambassador . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116075058/http://people.com/movies/dwayne-rock-johnsons-daughter-named-golden-globe-ambassador-2017/ . November 16, 2017 . April 2, 2023 . People.
  19. Web site: Bahiana . Ana Maria . November 15, 2017 . Our 75th Anniversary's Golden Globe Ambassador: Simone Garcia Johnson . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116200803/http://goldenglobes.com/articles/our-75th-anniversarys-golden-globe-ambassador-simone-garcia-johnson . November 16, 2017 . April 2, 2023 . Golden Globe Awards.
  20. Web site: Chuba . Kirsten . January 4, 2018 . Golden Globes Ambassador Simone Garcia Johnson on the Black Dress Movement, #MeToo . https://web.archive.org/web/20180107073458/https://variety.com/2018/scene/awards/simone-garcia-johnson-golden-globes-black-dress-1202653768/ . January 7, 2018 . April 2, 2023 . Variety.
  21. Web site: Alexander . Bryan . November 15, 2017 . The Rock's daughter Simone Garcia Johnson is 2018 Golden Globe ambassador . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116103155/https://usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/11/15/rock-daughter-simone-garcia-johnson-golden-globe/869114001/ . November 16, 2017 . April 2, 2023 . USA Today.
  22. News: Newcomb . Alyssa . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is the very picture of proud dad at daughter's graduation . April 2, 2023 . . May 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190530225941/https://www.today.com/parents/dwayne-rock-johnson-can-t-stop-smiling-daughter-s-high-t154922 . May 30, 2019.
  23. News: DeSantis . Rachel . Dwayne Johnson Celebrates 17-Year-Old Daughter Simone's High School Graduation: 'Very Proud' . April 2, 2023 . . May 25, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190525172146/https://people.com/movies/dwayne-johnson-celebrates-daughter-simone-high-school-graduation/ . May 25, 2019.
  24. News: Lambert . Jeremy . Simone Johnson Decided To Join WWE After Blowing Out Her Knee Before Going To NYU . April 2, 2023 . Fightful . June 10, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513024943/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/simone-johnson-decided-join-wwe-after-blowing-out-her-knee-going-nyu . May 13, 2021.
  25. News: Lambert . Jeremy . Simone Johnson Undergoing Third Knee Surgery On 9/14 . April 2, 2023 . Fightful . September 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029181347/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/simone-johnson-undergoing-third-knee-surgery-914 . October 29, 2020.
  26. News: Lambert . Jeremy . July 25, 2020 . Simone Johnson Recalls Her Grandma Introducing Her To Wrestling . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402194749/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/simone-johnson-recalls-her-grandma-introducing-her-wrestling . April 2, 2023 . April 2, 2023 . Fightful.
  27. Web site: Docking . Neil . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter reveals she wants to follow in dad's giants footsteps and become WWE star . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171119001431/http://mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/dwayne-the-rock-johnsons-daughter-11535141 . November 19, 2017 . November 16, 2017.
  28. Web site: Galuppo . Mia . Dwayne Johnson's Daughter on Being Named Golden Globes Ambassador and Her Wrestling Ambitions . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211006152458/http://hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dwayne-johnsons-daughter-being-named-golden-globes-ambassador-her-wrestling-ambitions-1057479/ . October 6, 2021 . November 16, 2017.
  29. Web site: Simone Johnson, daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia, begins training at WWE Performance Center . WWE . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200211090220/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/simone-johnson-wwe-performance-center . February 11, 2020 . February 10, 2020.
  30. Web site: Slater . Georgia . Dwayne Johnson Is 'Very Proud' of Daughter Simone for Signing with WWE: It 'Blows My Mind' . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200517021212/http://people.com/sports/dwayne-johnson-very-proud-of-daughter-simone-signing-wwe/ . May 17, 2020 . May 16, 2020.
  31. Gartland . Dan . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Daughter, Simone, Signs With WWE . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200526053228/http://si.com/wrestling/2020/02/10/wwe-dwayne-rock-johnson-daughter-simone . May 26, 2020 . February 10, 2020.
  32. Web site: Docking . Neil . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter starts training to become WWE star . . April 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180914131805/http://mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/dwayne-the-rock-johnsons-daughter-13231563 . September 14, 2018 . September 13, 2018.
  33. Web site: Rose . Bryan . Ava Raine/Simone Johnson revealed as new Schism member on WWE NXT . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026021502/http://f4wonline.com/news/nxt/ava-raine-simone-johnson-revealed-as-new-schism-member-on-wwe-nxt . October 26, 2022 . October 25, 2022.
  34. Web site: Defelice . Robert . Ava Raine (Simone Johnson) Debuts As The Fourth Member Of Schism On 10/25 WWE NXT . Fightful . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026021148/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ava-raine-simone-johnson-debuts-fourth-member-schism-1025-wwe-nxt . October 26, 2022 . October 25, 2022.
  35. Web site: Johnson . Mike . AVA RAINE, THE ROCK'S DAUGHTER, MAKES WWE NXT DEBUT . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401224129/https://pwinsider.com/article/164380/ava-raine-the-rocks-daughter-makes-wwe-nxt-debut.html . April 1, 2023 . October 25, 2022.
  36. News: WWE.com Staff . WWE NXT results for Feb. 14, 2023 . April 2, 2023 . . February 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217144801/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-2-14/article/results . February 17, 2023.
  37. Web site: Renner . Ethan . WWE NXT drops Ava Raine's last name . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219220810/http://f4wonline.com/news/nxt/wwe-nxt-drops-ava-raines-last-name . February 19, 2023 . February 16, 2023.
  38. Web site: Campbell . Tina . Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter Ava Raine confirms date for WWE debut wrestling match . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322185809/http://standard.co.uk/showbiz/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-daughter-ava-raine-confirms-date-wwe-debut-wrestling-match-b1069205.html . March 22, 2023 . March 22, 2023.
  39. Web site: Aiken . Chris . WWE NXT Stand & Deliver live results: Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401202540/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/results/wwe-nxt-stand-deliver-live-results-bron-breakker-vs-carmelo-hayes . April 1, 2023 . April 1, 2023.
  40. Currier . Joseph . Simone Johnson, The Rock's Daughter, to Compete in Her First WWE Match . . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322232939/http://si.com/wrestling/2023/03/22/simone-johnson-first-pro-wrestling-match-nxt-stand-deliver . March 22, 2023 . March 22, 2023.
  41. Web site: Knight . Cain A. . September 14, 2023 . Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid are gone from WWE . September 16, 2023 . SBNation . en-US.
  42. Web site: Lambert . Jeremy . Russell . Skylar . 2023-12-09 . Shawn Michaels Says Ava Raine Has Been Incredible In Assisting Him Fightful News . 2023-12-11 . Fightful . en.
  43. Web site: Mrosko . Geno . 2024-01-23 . William Regal returns to NXT TV to give advice to new General Manager Ava . 2024-01-24 . Cageside Seats . en.
  44. Web site: Schipman . Samantha . January 26, 2024 . WWE NXT Stars Trick Williams, Ava Make Main Roster Debuts On SmackDown . January 27, 2024 . Wrestling Inc. . en-US.
  45. Web site: Currier . Joseph . April 6, 2024 . WWE introducing Women's NXT North American Championship . April 6, 2024 . Wrestling Observer.

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