Ava Goes Scorched Earth On ICE After Surprising WWE Exit
In professional wrestling, the most shocking moments usually happen inside the squared circle. But sometimes, the biggest promos are cut on social media after the contracts expire. For Ava, the former General Manager of WWE’s NXT brand, her departure from the company wasn’t just a career change—it was the removal of a muzzle.
Simone Johnson, known to fans as Ava and famously the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has officially parted ways with WWE. Yet, it wasn’t her exit that dominated the headlines. Just days after announcing she would not renew her contract, Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a scathing, unfiltered condemnation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration.
“With My Full Chest”: The Statement That Shook the IWC
The timeline of events paints a clear picture of a talent waiting for the moment she was legally free to speak. On January 30, 2026, Ava announced that she was leaving WWE and that a recent episode of NXT would be her final appearance. It appeared to be an amicable, standard split.
However, less than 48 hours later on February 1, the tone shifted drastically. Referencing a recent, highly controversial shooting by federal agents that had sparked public outrage, Johnson posted a message that left zero room for interpretation.
For wrestling fans used to the carefully curated, PR-friendly statements of active WWE superstars, the post was a shock to the system. The use of the middle finger emoji and the phrase “now that I can say this” explicitly confirmed what many industry insiders have long known: talent under the WWE banner often feel pressured to sanitize their public personas to align with the company’s corporate interests.
From Fourth-Generation Star to Free Agent
To understand the weight of this moment, you have to look at Johnson’s position within the industry. As the first fourth-generation wrestler in history, she carries one of the heaviest last names in the business. Joining WWE in 2020, she eventually transitioned from an in-ring trainee to an on-screen authority figure as the General Manager of NXT.
During her tenure, Ava played the corporate game. She largely avoided overt political statements, sticking to character work and brand promotion. This silence makes her post-WWE outburst even more significant. It wasn’t just a political opinion; it was a release of pent-up frustration regarding a specific sociopolitical issue—federal immigration enforcement—that she presumably felt unable to address while on the payroll.
By waiting until her contract expired, Johnson navigated the legalities perfectly, but she also exposed the reality of the trade-off. To be a WWE superstar is to often trade a degree of your public voice for the platform. By choosing not to renew, Johnson reclaimed that voice immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ava’s Departure
Did Ava quit WWE or was she fired?
Ava was not fired. She formally announced on January 30, 2026, that she chose not to renew her contract. It was a voluntary departure.
Is Ava Simone Johnson?
Yes. Ava is the ring name for Simone Johnson, the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia.
What sparked her comments about ICE?
While Johnson has likely held these views for some time, her specific post was a reaction to a fatal shooting by federal agents that occurred around the time of her departure, which had intensified the national debate regarding immigration enforcement.
What This Means for the Johnson Legacy
Naturally, the internet’s immediate reaction involved looking toward her father. Dwayne Johnson has historically walked a very careful political line, balancing his massive global appeal with a generally centrist or apolitical public stance.
Ava’s comments prove that the next generation is willing to operate differently. It highlights a shift where younger talent values authenticity and activism over “playing the game.” While WWE has not issued a specific statement regarding her post—acknowledging her departure only in standard fashion—the industry is buzzing.
This moment serves as a case study for other performers. It demonstrates that the end of a contract isn’t just about negotiating money or creative control for a new wrestling character; it’s about negotiating the freedom to be a human being in the public sphere.
