Ava Raine Broadcasts Shock Exit From WWE and NXT
The wrestling world received unexpected news this week when Ava Raine—the groundbreaking fourth-generation star who made history as NXT’s youngest-ever General Manager—announced she’s stepping away from WWE after choosing not to renew her contract.
Simone Johnson, known to NXT fans as Ava, took to Instagram on Jan. 30 with the announcement that caught many in the WWE Universe off guard.
“This past Tuesday was my last appearance on NXT & subsequently WWE,” she wrote in the post. “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 new turning point in my life. It has been an honor & a privilege to be Ava,” she added in the post.
For those who have followed her career since day one, this marks the end of a chapter that began with enormous expectations and evolved into something uniquely her own.
Ava Raine’s legacy is unlike any other in WWE history
When discussing Ava’s place in professional wrestling, the conversation must start with her unprecedented lineage.
She signed with WWE in February 2020, per ESPN. That signing made her the first fourth-generation wrestler in WWE history—a distinction that carries immense weight in a business built on family legacies.
Her family tree reads like a Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling royalty.
She followed in the footsteps of her father, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who remains one of the most electrifying performers to ever step inside a squared circle.
Before him came her grandfather Rocky Johnson, a trailblazer who broke barriers as one-half of the first Black tag team champions in WWE history, and great-grandfather High Chief Peter Maivia, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.
That’s four generations of professional wrestling excellence—a feat no other performer in WWE history can claim.
The Evolution of Ava Raine: From Schism to the GM’s office
Ava’s journey through NXT showcased her versatility and willingness to develop her craft in different roles.
She made her TV debut on Oct. 25, 2022, per the WWE, when she was revealed as the fourth member of the faction The Schism, led by Joe Gacy.
The Schism alignment represented an intriguing creative direction for the young performer.
The faction’s cult-like aesthetic and darker undertones allowed Ava to establish herself as something distinctly different from what fans might have expected from The Rock’s daughter.
Her in-ring debut took place at the NXT Stand & Deliver premium live event on April 1, 2023, per the Daily Mail.
Stand & Deliver has become one of NXT’s premier events, typically held during WrestleMania weekend, making it a significant stage for such a milestone moment.
She eventually transitioned to an on-screen authority role before being named General Manager of NXT on Jan. 23, 2024 at just 22 years old—making her the youngest GM in WWE history, per the WWE.
The announcement itself was a memorable moment, with William Regal returning to WWE to officially bestow the title upon her.
What this means for NXT moving forward
Ava’s departure creates an immediate question mark for NXT programming.
The General Manager role serves as a crucial connective tissue for weekly television, providing a mechanism for match-making, conflict resolution, and storyline advancement.
With her final appearance already behind us as of this past Tuesday, NXT creative faces the task of either filling the position or restructuring how authority is portrayed on the brand.
For fans who invested in her character’s journey—from mysterious Schism member to the person running the entire brand—her exit represents a storyline left without a traditional conclusion.
What’s certain is that Ava’s time in NXT, while relatively brief, left an indelible mark.
She handled the weight of her family name with grace, created her own identity separate from her father’s legacy, and made history along the way.