Ava Raine, the daughter of WWE legend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, recently made waves with her decision to leave WWE, followed by a bold political statement that stirred up some controversy.
Ava, otherwise known as Simone Alexandra Garcia Johnson, had been working as the General Manager of the NXT brand since 2024.
However, her WWE journey came to an end recently after six years, marking a significant turning point in her life and career.
Ava Johnson’s WWE Departure: A New Chapter Begins
The 24-year-old confirmed her exit from WWE last Friday, revealing that her contract had expired, and she chose not to renew it.
Reflecting on her time with the company, Ava shared a heartfelt message to fans and supporters on social media.
She 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. 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."
Ava's role within WWE had been brief but impactful, especially given that she had only participated in a handful of matches before assuming the GM position for NXT. Despite her relatively short time in the ring, she had begun to carve out a unique place for herself within the WWE universe.
The Political Post That Sparked Attention
However, Ava’s exit was not the only thing that caught attention.
After confirming her departure, she took to social media to voice her political views, a move that would quickly stir up conversation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she made a pointed comment about Donald Trump and his administration, particularly regarding recent ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activities.
Ava wrote: “And now that I can say this with my full chest, [middle finger emoji] ice and that entire administration.”
It wasn’t long before Ava deleted her X account entirely, removing the controversial post from public view.
WWE and Politics: A Rising Trend of Departure
Ava Johnson is not the only WWE figure to have taken a stand due to political disagreements.
Just last month, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley also announced he would be ending his relationship with the company, citing his own issues with WWE's ties to President Donald Trump.
Foley, famous for his wrestling personas like Cactus Jack, Mankind, and Dude Love, explained that Trump's actions and his administration’s treatment of immigrants had driven him to sever ties with the company.
In a post on Instagram, Foley stated that Trump’s comments about the late Rob Reiner were the “final straw.”
He continued, saying: “I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy.”
Foley made it clear that he had informed WWE talent relations of his decision to no longer make appearances for the company as long as Trump remained in office.
He also revealed that he would not be renewing his legends deal when it expired in June.