The wrestling career of The Rock’s daughter looks set to be thrust into prominence, and Dwayne Johnson himself could play a huge part in it.
Rock was quickly hurled into the spotlight in WWE, winning top matches and the Intercontinental title within months of his debut in 1996.
He picked up a major victory at Madison Square Garden on his first night in front of the cameras at Survivor Series and defended championship gold at WrestleMania the following Spring.
It was part of an unheard-of ascension to the top of the wrestling business for the prodigy Johnson, and not a path his daughter, Simone, has trodden by way of succession.
She was trained by her father and at WWE’s state-of-the-art Performance Center, and did make an in-ring debut as Ava in April 2023 but has wrestled just six matches to date.
Instead, the majority of her formative years in the business have been as an on-screen authority figure. Back in January 2024 she was handed the General Manager reins and began overseeing the on-screen battles and disputes that play out on NXT each week, under the stewardship of another legend in Shawn Michaels – who is effectively the backstage executive in charge of WWE’s developmental areas.
She’s remained a steady and consistent presence in that role and, by and large, has steered clear of making any headlines herself, save for a storyline that called for her to be floored as part of a backstage skirmish.
If Ava has wanted to or been allowed to keep a low profile, though, it seems things may be about to change, according to a new report that indicates big things may be coming her way.
Wrestlevotes has noted that a far greater focus is to be placed on the 23-year-old, and that an established on-screen link to her family heritage is likely to be involved.
Ava and The Rock have only shared one significant moment on screen together thus far. In the week of WWE’s Netflix launch in January, The People’s Champ stopped by NXT to check in and, before an awkward address in front of the live crowd, father and daughter featured in a backstage exchange.
Such instances could be a more regular thing going forward according to the report, which noted: “Creative has begun putting plans in motion for NXT General Manager and, of course, real life daughter of the Rock, Ava, to be featured more prominently on TV, as well as have merchandise and character ties to her father, alluding to his final boss persona.
“We are told plans could include her playing off the final boss character on TV as a way to raise her importance.”
The hint towards Ava possibly becoming more authoritarian in her on-screen role will be fascinating given WWE lacks the presence of any such figure – it’s other storyline General Managers in Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce both being fairly strait-laced performers.
No matter how it ends up playing out, it seems the plans are sizable, the report adding: Ava, from all accounts as well-liked and could have a big future with the company.”
It remains to be seen exactly when The Rock himself will return to WWE, but the pair combining could have explosive results for the company’s characters and its fans alike.
