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Ava (wrestler)

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Ava
Ava in 2024
Birth nameSimone Garcia Johnson[1]
Born (2001-08-14) August 14, 2001 (age 23)
Davie, Florida, U.S
Parent(s)Dwayne Johnson
Dany Garcia
FamilyAnoaʻi
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ava[2]
Ava Raine[3][4]
Billed height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[5]
Billed weight143 lb (65 kg)
Trained byWWE Performance Center[6]
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
DebutApril 1, 2023

Simone Garcia Johnson[7] (born August 14, 2001)[8] is an American professional wrestler. She is 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

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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 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, Johnson 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, Johnson 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

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WWE (2020–present)

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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 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.[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]

References

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  1. ^ Docking, Neil (September 13, 2018). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter starts training to become WWE star". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ava". WWE.com. February 17, 2023. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  3. ^ McGuinness, Devan (May 31, 2022). "The Rock's Daughter Just Picked Her Wrestler Name And It's Perfect". Fatherly. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Campbell, Tina (May 30, 2022). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter Simone reveals professional wrestling name as she prepares for WWE debut". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. ^ Nedd, Alexis (January 9, 2018). "9 Simone Garcia Johnson Facts You Probably Didn't Know". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Currier, Joseph (October 26, 2022). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Daughter, Simone, Makes On-Screen WWE Debut". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  7. ^ Singh, Olivia (July 10, 2018). "Dwayne Johnson's 16-year-old daughter wants to be a WWE wrestler — and he fully supports her". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Gariano, Francesca (October 7, 2022). "Dwayne Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know". People. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Sadler, Armon (October 28, 2022). "Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Daughter, Simone, Debuts On WWE". Vibe. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Zeller, Terry (October 27, 2022). "Simone Johnson: 5 Things About 'The Rock's Daughter, 21, Who Just Made Her WWE TV Debut". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  11. ^ Gariano, Francesca (April 17, 2023). "Dwayne Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know". People.
  12. ^ "WWE: The Rock's daughter, Simone Johnson, will step into the ring". BBC. February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  13. ^ Hargrave, Hannah (October 15, 2022). "Dwayne Johnson's daughter Simone is so grown up - see the WWE star Ava Raine". Hello!. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  14. ^ FitzPatrick, Hayley (August 14, 2019). "Dwayne Johnson's heartfelt post to his daughter on her 18th birthday will make you want to call your dad". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  15. ^ Jordan, Julie (June 1, 2007). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson & Wife Split Up". People. Archived from the original on October 23, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Sulway, Verity (August 18, 2021). "Dwayne Johnson's 'screwed up' first marriage, family tragedy and depression battle". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  17. ^ Nguyen, Andrew (January 10, 2022). "How Business Mogul Dany Garcia Gets It Done". The Cut. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  18. ^ Miller, Mike (November 15, 2017). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Daughter Simone Named 2018 Golden Globe Ambassador". People. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  19. ^ Bahiana, Ana Maria (November 15, 2017). "Our 75th Anniversary's Golden Globe Ambassador: Simone Garcia Johnson". Golden Globe Awards. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  20. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (January 4, 2018). "Golden Globes Ambassador Simone Garcia Johnson on the Black Dress Movement, #MeToo". Variety. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Alexander, Bryan (November 15, 2017). "The Rock's daughter Simone Garcia Johnson is 2018 Golden Globe ambassador". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  22. ^ Newcomb, Alyssa (May 26, 2019). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is the very picture of proud dad at daughter's graduation". TODAY. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  23. ^ DeSantis, Rachel (May 25, 2019). "Dwayne Johnson Celebrates 17-Year-Old Daughter Simone's High School Graduation: 'Very Proud'". People. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  24. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 10, 2020). "Simone Johnson Decided To Join WWE After Blowing Out Her Knee Before Going To NYU". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (September 13, 2020). "Simone Johnson Undergoing Third Knee Surgery On 9/14". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  26. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 25, 2020). "Simone Johnson Recalls Her Grandma Introducing Her To Wrestling". Fightful. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  27. ^ Docking, Neil (November 16, 2017). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter reveals she wants to follow in dad's giants footsteps and become WWE star". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  28. ^ Galuppo, Mia (November 16, 2017). "Dwayne Johnson's Daughter on Being Named Golden Globes Ambassador and Her Wrestling Ambitions". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  29. ^ "Simone Johnson, daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia, begins training at WWE Performance Center". WWE. February 10, 2020. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  30. ^ Slater, Georgia (May 16, 2020). "Dwayne Johnson Is 'Very Proud' of Daughter Simone for Signing with WWE: It 'Blows My Mind'". People. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  31. ^ Gartland, Dan (February 10, 2020). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Daughter, Simone, Signs With WWE". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Docking, Neil (September 13, 2018). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter starts training to become WWE star". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Rose, Bryan (October 25, 2022). "Ava Raine/Simone Johnson revealed as new Schism member on WWE NXT". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  34. ^ Defelice, Robert (October 25, 2022). "Ava Raine (Simone Johnson) Debuts As The Fourth Member Of Schism On 10/25 WWE NXT". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  35. ^ Johnson, Mike (October 25, 2022). "AVA RAINE, THE ROCK'S DAUGHTER, MAKES WWE NXT DEBUT". PWInsider. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  36. ^ WWE.com Staff (February 14, 2023). "WWE NXT results for Feb. 14, 2023". WWE. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  37. ^ Renner, Ethan (February 16, 2023). "WWE NXT drops Ava Raine's last name". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  38. ^ Campbell, Tina (March 22, 2023). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter Ava Raine confirms date for WWE debut wrestling match". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  39. ^ Aiken, Chris (April 1, 2023). "WWE NXT Stand & Deliver live results: Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Currier, Joseph (March 22, 2023). "Simone Johnson, The Rock's Daughter, to Compete in Her First WWE Match". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  41. ^ Knight, Cain A. (September 14, 2023). "Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid are gone from WWE". SBNation. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  42. ^ Lambert, Jeremy; Russell, Skylar (December 9, 2023). "Shawn Michaels Says Ava Raine Has Been Incredible In Assisting Him | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  43. ^ Mrosko, Geno (January 23, 2024). "William Regal returns to NXT TV to give advice to new General Manager Ava". Cageside Seats. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  44. ^ Schipman, Samantha (January 26, 2024). "WWE NXT Stars Trick Williams, Ava Make Main Roster Debuts On SmackDown". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  45. ^ Currier, Joseph (April 6, 2024). "WWE introducing Women's NXT North American Championship". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
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