Tag: Ava

Noam Dar vacates NXT Heritage Cup due to injury

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE NXT General Manager Ava has announced a change to next week’s edition of WWE NXT.

On Saturday, Ava revealed that Noam Dar is injured and will have to vacate the NXT Heritage Cup trophy that he had been scheduled to defend against Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo on Tuesday’s show.

“Due to injury, Noam Dar will not be able to compete this Tuesday and will have to relinquish the NXT Heritage Cup Championship. This Tuesday, Stacks with compete in a match to crown a new Heritage Cup Champion against an opponent to be named.”

https://twitter.com/avawwe_/status/1936441946815565866

It’s not clear how Dar was injured. His last match was against Lorenzo at an NXT live event in Lakeland, Florida, on June 13. He defeated Lexis King for the Heritage Cup on the April 22 episode of NXT. He also wrestled on two episodes of WWE Speed earlier this month, beating King in the semifinals of a contenders tournament before losing in the finals to Berto.

NXT lineup for June 24:

  • TNA Championship: Trick Williams defends against Josh Briggs
  • NXT Heritage Cup match: Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo vs. TBA for the vacated trophy
  • Evolution eliminator fatal four way match: Izzi Dame vs. Jaida Parker vs. Lash Legend vs. Jordynne Grace

Nia Jax hopes NXT GM Ava becomes WWE main roster authority figure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nia Jax is proud of the work her cousin Ava is doing in NXT — and Jax hopes to see her join the WWE main roster in a similar role one day.

Since the start of 2024, Ava (Simone Johnson) has been featured as the on-screen general manager of NXT. It’s a role that she transitioned into after initially starting her NXT career as a wrestler. She signed with WWE in 2020, continuing the pro wrestling legacy of her father The Rock, grandfather Rocky Johnson, and great-grandfather Peter Maivia.

Jax told TV Insider in a recent interview that she feels Ava has really grown into her NXT role. She would like to see Ava on the main roster working as an authority figure.

“I’m so proud of her. She has really come into her own,” Jax said. “Who would have thought just being the NXT general manager she would just shine in? I even said to her the other day, ‘This year has been so good for you.’ I feel her confidence has gotten bigger. She is running that show and with ease. I can’t wait to see where it goes. I want to see her up here on the main roster, possibly doing a similar role as well.”

The NXT roster is on the road this week with tonight’s episode taking place at Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Jax is preparing for a tag match at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto this Saturday, where she’ll team up with Candice LeRae against Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus.

The Rock meets with Ava & Ethan Page, addresses Cody Rhodes controversy on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Rock made his presence felt on NXT.

On Tuesday, The Rock closed out the show by talking about how important it was to go to NXT shows just as much as it is to go to main roster WWE events. He also responded to criticism regarding his praise of Cody Rhodes on Monday’s Raw for the work he has done in the last year, pointing out that people last year were asking why he was so mean to Cody, while now he’s being told not to be nice to him.

“The Rock is the Final Boss thinking twenty steps ahead, so the best thing for them to do is to know their role, shut their mouths, and enjoy the ride that The Rock is taking them on,” he said.

He ended the promo by saying the crowd is important to NXT as in three years, this roster could be headlining WrestleMania, or they could be out of the business. Whether the fans boo or cheer, people’s careers are based on how they react. 

Earlier in the show, The Rock interrupted an argument between GM Ava and Ethan Page. He told Page he had heard what he did to Je’Von Evans’ jaw and said that payback would be a b****, but told Page that if he needed anything, he could talk to him. He then told Page that while he’s the Final Boss, in NXT Ava is the Final Boss.

Ava then asked The Rock what he would say later in the night. The Rock asked for advice. Ava said that while he might not know what he’d say out there, he would feel it. The Rock said what he’d say would be right from the heart.

After several months away, The Rock returned on Monday’s Netflix premiere of Raw. In addition to praising Rhodes, He also put the ula fala on Roman Reigns after he was victorious in the Tribal Combat match, the two hugging as Reigns celebrated his win.

Ava to make ‘special announcement’ on WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is hyping that a “special announcement” will be made on NXT this Wednesday night.

Due to the presidential election, NXT is taking place on Wednesday this week instead of Tuesday. The episode is airing live from Philadelphia at the former ECW Arena — and WWE announced today that the show will feature an announcement by NXT general manager Ava.

WWE has not revealed what the announcement is related to. Details for NXT Deadline 2024 have not been announced yet, so that is a possibility. Deadline has taken place annually in December since 2022.

ECW legends Bubba Ray Dudley, Dawn Marie, Francine, and Rob Van Dam are set to be involved with Wednesday’s NXT episode. The show is going head-to-head with AEW Dynamite.

Here’s the updated NXT lineup:

WWE NXT (November 5) —

  • Trick Williams & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Ethan Page & Ridge Holland
  • Hardcore match: Jaida Parker vs. Lola Vice ( with Dawn Marie as special guest referee)
  • Je’Von Evans vs. Wes Lee
  • Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx vs. Jordynne Grace, Kelani Jordan, Zaria, Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer
  • RVD and Francine will be in attendance
  • Ava will make a special announcement

Daily Update: WWE 2K24, Batista, Ava

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is an in-depth story on the fall of Vince McMahon. We go through all aspects of the story and have reactions from many people on subjects not talked about including feelings of different wrestlers, how this departure was different from the first McMahon departure, John Laurinaitis, Brock Lesnar, Stephanie McMahon, Ari Emanuel, Paul Levesque, Ann Callis and why she may end up a major figure in wrestling and this story going forward and much more. It’s a timeline in detail and what the timeline opens up.

  • The John Laurinaitis story
  • More questions on Ari Emanuel’s decision
  • Paul Levesque’s performance
  • Shawn Michaels reaction
  • Reaction from several in the business
  • Why Vince McMahon apparently stopped payments
  • Who is Ann Callis and why is she so important to this story
  • The insurance angle
  • The original investigation
  • The timeline of Stephanie McMahon
  • The various allegations and settlements
  • Members of the board leaving
  • Vince’s power play to return
  • Dwayne Johnson and Pat McAfee
  • Vince’s background
  • Full Royal Rumble coverage
  • Rumble surprises and debuts
  • WrestleMania original lineup and what is changing
  • Rumble records
  • Business numbers
  • Rock vs. Roman update
  • The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week
  • New streaming channel for a promotion that is getting criticized due to price
  • Okada and Mercedes updates
  • Anniversary show for one of the most important cultural matches in history
  • Top matches of 2023
  • TNA PPV update
  • AEW valuation
  • Upcoming ticket sales for the major WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Update on MJF
  • Which company has the highest current injury rate, AEW or WWE?
  • Jericho Cruise notes
  • Conor McGregor update
  • TV announcer talks his frustrations with social media
  • Documentary on MAX about a UFC fighter about to be released
  • Lots more on the Netflix deal
  • Best merchandise sellers
  • Notes from all the TV shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • WWE 2K24 released a gameplay trailer on Tuesday, with a brief shot of Muhammad Ali at the end. The trailer also showed Brock Lesnar being replaced by John Cena on one of the game’s covers.
  • The Cody Rhodes/Shinsuke Nakamura bull rope match has been added to WWE’s YouTube in full, including the post-match attack from Drew McIntyre.
  • NFL star George Kittle shared his thoughts on the Cody Rhodes/Rock/Roman Reigns situation on X. Triple H quoted the post, writing “The People’s Tight End knows what’s up…”
  • Gunther expressed interest in facing Kazuchika Okada in an interview with Nick Hausman. “I think Okada is fantastic,” he said. “I always love Japanese wrestling. When I grew up in professional wrestling, understanding everything, I always enjoyed Japanese wrestling the most. I was more of an All Japan guy than a New Japan guy, to be honest. But yeah, he’s one of the best in the world, and if he joins WWE, he’s very welcome to, and I think he finds great competition here.”
  • Carmelo Hayes wrote on X: “Woke up today and chose to be undeniable.”
  • Ava has deleted her X account. She had mentioned recently that she had been receiving death threats due to The Rock/Roman Reigns/Cody Rhodes situation.
  • WWE is currently looking to hire a new writer.
  • Free matches added to WWE’s YouTube page on Tuesday include an Elimination Chamber qualifying battle royal from the February 17, 2012 edition of SmackDown and Bayley vs. Becky Lynch in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match from the February 6, 2023 edition of Raw.

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Dave Bautista will star in a movie titled ‘Afterburn’ starring Samuel L. Jackson, which was described as a “futuristic action-adventure” film.
  • Mercedes Mone on X: “Oh it feels good when executing a vision.”
  • After it was announced that Jack Perry would be at NJPW’s Windy City Riot event in April, Gabe Kidd posted on X: “And someone tell Jack Perry if he wants to get in a scrap backstage, I’ll see him in Chicago. Little rat. Can’t get booked by your own boss so you turn up to our shows. We don’t want you ya little t***.”
  • The Acclaimed will have a pop-up meet & greet and food truck event on February 7 in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
  • Titus Alexander was interviewed by HypeTalkTV.
  • Grizzled Young Vets have been announced for the upcoming For the Love Of Progress event on March 1.
  • FXE Wrestling’s ‘Crush Live’ event has been announced for Hendersonville, Tennessee on February 18. More information can be found here.
  • The 2024 Hana Kimura memorial show has been announced for May 23 at Korakuen Hall.

NXT’s Ava, Trick Williams, Elektra Lopez make WWE SmackDown debuts

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Three NXT stars, including Ava, the daughter of WWE legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, made their SmackDown debuts on Friday’s episode. 

Ava, Trick Williams, and Elektra Lopez all made surprise debuts on SmackDown in a variety of segments on the Royal Rumble go-home show. 

After being named the storyline general manager of NXT on this past Tuesday’s episode, Ava was featured in multiple backstage segments with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis in her debut as various stars drew their order of entry for Saturday’s Royal Rumble match. 

Williams made his debut in saving Carmelo Hayes from a post-match attack at the hands of Austin Theory & Grayson Waller after Theory defeated Hayes on SmackDown. Hayes & Williams are partners in NXT’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and will wrestle in a semifinal match in that tournament against the LWO’s Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro on the next episode of NXT. Williams is also set to challenge Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship at Vengeance Day on Sunday, February 4.

Lopez rejoined the latest iteration of Santos Escobar’s Legado Del Fantasma on SmackDown after a brawl broke out between Legado and the LWO after an Escobar vs. Carlito singles match. Lopez was previously aligned with LEgado in NXT when the group was comprised of Escobar, Wilde, & Del Toro. Wilde & Del Toro have since left the group and joined the LWO.

William Regal returns to WWE TV on NXT, names Ava general manager

Posted on by Bryan Rose

William Regal appeared on NXT, congratulating Ava on her new role on the show.

Both were shown on Tuesday walking out of Shawn Michaels’ office following a meeting. Regal congratulated Ava on officially becoming the youngest general manager in WWE history. He told her to look out for NXT, as he was here on day one and the brand means the world to him. Ava said that she had big shoes to fill, but she could do the job.

This was Regal’s first on-screen appearance since returning to WWE in early 2023, where he was named Vice President of Global Talent Development. He had previously been the on-screen general manager before being released in January of 2022. Regal had spent the year away from WWE in AEW, helping form the Blackpool Combat Club.

In recent weeks, Ava has been dealing with talent backstage, saying that she would talk to Shawn Micheals for them. She eventually explained that “a wise man” told her that Micheals would need help as the brand expands, and that is where she will come in.

Diamond Mine vs. Schism six-person tag match announced for WWE NXT

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE has announced a new match for next week’s edition of NXT. 

A six-person tag featuring The Schism’s Rip Fowler, Jagger Reid, and Ava vs. Diamond Mine’s Ivy Nile, and The Creed Brothers is now scheduled for the show. 

On last week’s episode, Ivy Nile attacked Ava after The Dyad lost to Wes Lee and Tyler Bate in tag action. The two factions would later be involved in a pull-apart backstage. 

For Ava, this will be just her third professional match. Her debut took place on the Stand & Deliver Kickoff show on April 1 when The Dyad wrestled Chase U. She also wrestled on a house show on April 14 in a tag match along with other members of The Schism. 

Also announced for next week is a battle royal to determine the #1 contender to Tiffany Stratton’s NXT Women’s Championship, Damon Kemp vs. Eddy Thorpe, and the return of Ilja Dragunov. 

WWE NXT 6/6 Lineup:

  • Women’s Championship number one contender battle royal
  • Eddy Thorpe vs. Damon Kemp
  • The Schism (Jagger Reid, Rip Fowler, and Ava) vs. Diamond Mine (Ivy Nile, Brutus Creed, and Julius Creed)
  • Ilja Dragunov returns

The Rock: Wrestling helped save my relationship with Simone Johnson

Posted on by Josh Nason

In an interview on The Pivot, former WWE star and pop culture icon Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson opened up about his daughter, Simone Johnson, and how wrestling has been “a savior” for both his family and relationship with her.

Johnson said when he had his daughter, now known as Ava in WWE NXT, he was wrestling full-time, making his transition into movies and “flying by the seat of my pants.”

“I had so much sh*t going on. So, I like to say me and Simone grew up together. We had a relationship where I was always gone, but we tried to keep it together. Now years later as she becomes a pro wrestler, it’s actually brought us closer together,” he explained. “So, in a way, it’s helped save that relationship too. In many ways, pro wrestling has been my family’s savior.”

The 21-year-old Ava/Johnson started at the Performance Center in February 2020 and is currently part of The Schism faction on NXT TV. She has wrestled just a few times with only one of them televised.

Ava to make in-ring debut at WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ava is set to make her in-ring debut at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 1.

She will team with Schism members The Dyad and Joe Gacy to take on the team of Chase U (Andre Chase, Thea Hail, and Duke Hudson). Control of the school will be on the line.

Tuesday’s show saw the two groups hold a debate, discussing their own philosophies in life. After the debate had ended, Chase issued a match for Stand & Deliver. Gacy initially rejected the match. However Duke Hudson, who seemed lethargic in defending the school during the debate, offered the school up as an incentive. Gacy agreed, setting up the match for next month.

Ava, who is the daughter of The Rock, has yet to compete in a match. She was signed to the WWE in 2020 and made her television debut last October, revealing herself as the newest member of The Schism.

Here is the updated lineup for NXT Stand and Deliver:

  • NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • NXT Women’s title ladder match: Zoey Stark vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. ???
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team titles: Kiana James & Fallon Henley vs. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn
  • NXT North American title: Wes Lee vs. Dragon Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh vs. ???
  • NXT Tag Team titles: Gallus (c) vs. The Creed Brothers vs. Tony D’Angelo & Stacks
  • Winner gets the school: The Schism vs. Chase U & Tyler Bate
  • Johnny Gargano vs. Grayson Waller