It’s been more than two years in the making, but Simone Johnson is finally getting ready to make her WWE debut.
The daughter of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson took to her social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, on Sunday to announce her new professional wrestling name.
The 20-year-old, who’s a fourth generation World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler on her dad’s side of the family, will be going by the moniker Ava Raine.
Following daddy’s footsteps: Simone Johnson, 20, daughter of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, announced her new professional wrestling name, as she readies to make her long-awaited WWE debut
To mark the occasion, Johnson posted an image of her new wrestling name on her Instagram Stories.
It was written out in thin red letters, with several white lightening bolts all around it, in varying degrees.
Simone actually signed her deal with the WWE in early 2020, but her debut has been pushed back due to a few injuries that ended up requiring surgery and the rehabilitation that follows.
Life-long dream realized: The oldest of Dwayne Johnson’s three daughters announced she had signed a deal with the WWE in February 2020, but injuries have delayed her debut
Big reveal: Simone revealed her professional wrestling name is Ava Raine with a photo featuring white lightening bolts going through the letters
‘First of all, what an honor that my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps but more importantly, follow in my footsteps sounds cliché, but she actually wants to create and blaze her own path, which is so important,’ Dwayne said of daughter after her deal was signed in February 2020.
When making the announcement, Simone took to Instagram and posted a photo of herself wearing a gray WWE t-shirt, while flashing a prideful smile.
‘To the little girl who fell in love with wrestling & said “this will be my life one day”, this is for you. I’m humbled, grateful & ready to work. Let’s do this. @wwe @wwenxt,’ she captioned the post.
Proud father: ‘First of all, what an honor that my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps but more importantly, follow in my footsteps sounds cliché, but she actually wants to create and blaze her own path, which is so important,’ Dwayne said of daughter after her deal was signed in February 2020
History-making: When she finally does make her WWE debut, Simone will be the company’s first fourth-generation wrestler, following her great-grandfather ‘High Chief’ Peter Maivia, grandfather ‘Soulman’ Rocky Johnson, and her dad, who was known as The Rock during his time in the ring
Simone is the first child of Dwayne Johnson and the only child of Dany Gracia, who’s a producer and founder of The Gracia Companies.
The Rock also has two other daughters – six-year-old Jasmine and four year-old Tiana – whom he shares with his wife, Lauren Hashian.
When she finally does make her WWE debut, Simone will be the company’s first fourth-generation wrestler, following her great-grandfather ‘High Chief’ Peter Maivia, grandfather ‘Soulman’ Rocky Johnson, and her dad, who was known as The Rock during his time in the ring.
Family business: Simone revealed that she knew she wanted to become a professional wrestler since she was a young kid; she is pictured with her father in July 2018
Family man Along with Simone, The Rock also has two young daughters – Jasmine, six, and Tiana, four – whom he shares with his wife, Lauren Hashian; they are seen in June 2006