Ava (wrestler)

Simone Garcia Johnson[7] (born August 14, 2001)[8] is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Ava (shortened from the previous ring name Ava Raine). She is a part of the faction Schism. Johnson is a fourth-generation wrestler who is the daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. She is a member of the Anoa'i family of Samoan wrestlers.

Ava
Birth nameSimone Garcia Johnson[1]
Born (2001-08-14) August 14, 2001
Davie, Florida, U.S
Parent(s)Dwayne Johnson
Dany Garcia
FamilyAnoa'i
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]
DebutApril 1, 2023

Early life

Johnson was born in Davie, Florida[9] on August 14, 2001.[10] She is the first daughter of former 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] In addition to her parents, Johnson is also the granddaughter of Ata (née Maivia) and Rocky Johnson, a Samoan and Black Nova Scotian respectively. Through her grandmother, she is a non-blood relative of the Anoa'i wrestling family.

She attended the private high school of NSU University School, where she graduated and earned her diploma in May 2019 at 17-years-old.[15][16] 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.[17][18]

Professional wrestling career

WWE (2020–present)

In November 2017, Johnson expressed her interest in becoming a professional wrestler.[19][20] 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.[21][22][23][24]

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.[25][26][27] She debuted under the ring name "Ava Raine", but this was later shortened to "Ava" on the February 14, 2023, episode.[28][29] Ava made her in-ring debut on Sunday, April 1, 2023, at the third annual Stand & Deliver premium live event with Schism, losing to Chase University.[30][31][32] On the June 6 episode of NXT, Ava made her NXT in-ring debut defeated by Ivy Nile.[33]

Personal life

Johnson's parents announced their separation on June 1, 2007.[34][35] In January 2018, Simone was the inaugural Golden Globes Ambassador for the ceremony's 75th Anniversary.[36][37][38][39] She has cited her grandmother as the person who got her in to wrestling.[40]

References
  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. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. "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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
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  27. 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.
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  33. Pulido, Luis (June 6, 2023). "WWE NXT (6/6/20203) Results: #1 Contender's Battle Royal, Ali vs. Gacy, Ilja Dragunov Returns & More". Fightful. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
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  35. 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.
  36. 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.
  37. 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.
  38. 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.
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