Featured Image Credit: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Topics: WWE, Sport, Dwayne Johnson, Twitter, Wrestling
Daisy Phillipson
Topics: WWE, Sport, Dwayne Johnson, Twitter, Wrestling
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson’s daughter has responded to backlash over her chosen wrestling name.
Simone Johnson, 20, is set to follow in her father's footsteps and join the world of pro wrestling, but it appears she hopes to build a career of her own in the sport rather than remaining in her family's shadows.
You see, Simone is a fourth-generation wrestler, with her dad, grandad and great-grandad all forging their own paths in the ring.
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She signed a deal with WWE back in 2020, and with her debut fast approaching, she took to social media over the weekend to reveal her wrestling moniker – Ava Raine.
Although some people were fans of the title, a number of people criticised Simone for not attaching herself to her father's name.
One commenter wrote: “Giving Simone Johnson, the daughter of THE ROCK, a new name is completely nonsensical."
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Another said: “Will hold judgement until she debuts, but if WWE doesn’t acknowledge her dad is The Rock that’s ridiculous."
Others, however, defended the WWE newbie, including this person who said: "Let her shine in her own individual way."
With so much chat about the decision, Simone has since responded to the haters, writing on Sunday (29 May): "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.
“A name doesn’t discredit any prior accomplishments from any family.”
She later added: “I could build my entire career around my father & people would still bash me anyway.”
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Dozens of people agreed with her statements, with one writing: "Don't let them get to you. People will complain about anything."
A second said: "AYY congratulations and this is literally the same thing your father endured... Ignore the noise. Focus on you."
New names aside, the star has a bright future ahead and is currently preparing for her long-awaited debut. And she's certainly making her dad proud.
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Speaking about the contract deal back in 2020, he said: "First of all, what an honour 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."
Simone is The Rock's first daughter from his marriage with ex-wife Dany Garcia.
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