On the latest episode of the Hall of Fame podcast, WWE Hall of Famer and NXT commentator Booker T addressed the announcement that Ava, the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has stepped down from her role as the General Manager of NXT. The move concludes a tenure that began in early 2024, during which she served as the youngest primary authority figure in the brand’s history.
Assessment of Ava’s Tenure
Booker T offered a professional evaluation of Ava’s performance in the role, highlighting her ability to relate to the current roster and audience. “Ava, daughter of The Rock of course, she stepped down from being General Manager of NXT and I’m tell you she I thought she had been doing a hell of a job. I really did,” Booker T stated. “I thought she fit that role very very well and as a young person being a part of such a young group of guys doing big things and being able to have the finger on the pulse as far as kind of like knowing what young people may want perhaps maybe what young people may need”.
Co-host Brad Gilmore concurred with the assessment, describing the timing of the exit as sudden. “I also thought that it was unexpected. It was like an unexpected announcement that she was out of there,” Gilmore remarked. “She was great in her role on that show. I liked about her in NXT was you have a young person working with young people on a show that’s about the future. It’s not like Nick Aldis or somebody who’s maybe of a more advanced age running the show”.
The Unexpected Nature of the Exit
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the lack of prior indication that such a change was forthcoming. Booker T noted that he was present at NXT last week and heard no internal speculation regarding the move.
“I left work last week and I didn’t know anything about it,” Booker T explained. “I didn’t hear any rumors. I didn’t feel any rumblings or anything like that as far as hey maybe Ava’s gonna take a step back and move on into a different direction. I didn’t but then again this business is very very unpredictable. It really is. You could be here today and pretty much gone tomorrow. I get it. Totally understand it. Just didn’t see this one coming. But that’s the business”.
Booker T further elaborated on the volatile nature of the industry by referencing the standard disclaimer used in wrestling promotions. “It’s a little clause normally at the bottom page and it says card subject to change at any moment,” he noted.
Discussion on Potential Successors
Following the vacancy of the General Manager position, the podcast hosts speculated on who might be tapped to lead the brand. “The question is who should replace Ava?” Booker T asked. “Who should actually take that mantle and move forward with it and take NXT into this next phase?”.
Brad Gilmore suggested several names, including established on-screen personalities. “I know Mr. Stone is always around trying to make himself seen and on the show,” Gilmore said. He also proposed a temporary solution: “You know who they should let run it for a couple weeks at least? Let Ricky Saints run it”. Additionally, Gilmore brought up a name that has been mentioned in fan circles: “One person I saw through their name in the hat and that was Chelsea Green”.
Booker T responded positively to the prospect of Green taking the role. “I think Chelsea actually could play that role. I think she could play that role very well,” he stated. He added that he would like to see a younger individual continue the precedent set by Ava. “I would like to see some young person take that mantle as well. Just because NXT is such a young group. When young people see young people doing things, it inspires them”.
Ava, born Simone Johnson, signed with WWE in February 2020. She spent over two years training at the WWE Performance Center before making her televised debut on the October 25, 2022, episode of NXT as a member of The Schism. After the group disbanded, she transitioned to an administrative role as an assistant to Shawn Michaels. On January 23, 2024, she was officially named the General Manager of NXT. Her departure from the role marks the end of a two-year stint as the brand’s primary authority figure.
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