Simone Johnson has responded to criticism of her name change.
On Sunday it was revealed Simone Johnson will use the name Ava Raine in WWE after she changed her social media handles. Many fans questioned as to why WWE wouldn't capitalize on Johnson being the daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and give her a similar name or something that tied her to her father.
Taking to social media, Johnson responded to the criticism.
i probably sound like a broken record & hopefully this is the last i’ll mention this but i don’t understand why people being portrayed as separate individuals from their family name is such a heated topic.
— ava -- (@AvaRaineWWE) May 29, 2022
a name doesn’t discredit any prior accomplishments from any family ---- https://t.co/vsr44PeUqc
i could build my entire career around my father & people would still bash me anyway ---- https://t.co/LjkQdoOpws
— ava -- (@AvaRaineWWE) May 29, 2022
& im not trying to ignore or undermine all the sweet comments & support i get -- thank you guys
— ava -- (@AvaRaineWWE) May 29, 2022
WWE has previously changed the names of Bron Breakker (Rick Steiner's son), Solo Sikoa (Jimmy & Jey Usos' brother), Arianna Grace (Santino Marella's daughter) and more.
WWE filed to trademark "Ava Raine" on May 13.
It is unknown when Johnson/Raine will make her WWE in-ring debut. She reported to the WWE Performance Center in February 2020 to begin her training.
