Simone Johnson expressed interest in being a wrestler as far back as 2017. In 2022, Johnson began training at the WWE Performance Center.
In October 2022, Johnson made her NXT debut, performing under the name Ava Raine and joining the Schism group.
Speaking to Kevin Hart on Hart to Heart, The Rock discussed his daughter getting into the wrestling business.
"That was a special moment when my daughter Simone said, 'I want to get in the business.' Much like I said that years before her. 'What business?' 'The wrestling business.' I said, 'I love it.' Immediately, I loved it, it was a great sense of pride as a father, but then, of course, as a parent you start to think about all the pitfalls, all the hardships, all that she's going to go through because I've lived that business. There is the pomp and circumstance of pro wrestling; the pageantry, WrestleMania, the bright lights, big contracts, global company, but then there is that underbelly in the world of pro wrestling. All that shit you have to deal with, the backstage politics, all of that. I start thinking about all of that for her. At the same time, as her father, I have enough confidence to know that I have instilled in her, from what I knew, values, philosophy, and work ethic. I am so proud. She made that decision when she was 16. She was ready to go. For someone to say, 'here's what I believe my life path is and my journey, it's in the world of pro wrestling, that my great grandfather was in, my grandfather was in, my dad was in.' She's the first fourth-generation wrestler. Not only is that business difficult because you're on the road 24/7, 365 days a year, but the pressure of who you are. She's stepping up and working hard," he said.
Asked how the business has evolved for females since his time in wrestling, Rock said, "20 years ago we were there when we were on top with the Attitude Era. The role of a female wrestler at that time in that business, at that time, was hard. It was hard. That world today is much more inclusive, much more respectful, much more really creating and delivering efforts to make sure that all the females...they are aware."
Ava has remained a part the weekly NXT programming as a member of Schism.
She made her in-ring debut at NXT Stand & Deliver 2023 in a mixed tag team bout teaming with Jagger Reid, Joe Gacy & Rip Fowler against Chase U (Andre Chase, Duke Hudson & Thea Hail). She has only wrestled two matches on television.
Fightful has live coverage of NXT every Tuesday beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
