Ava (Simone Johnson) left WWE because she chose not to renew her contract and decided she no longer wanted to continue in pro wrestling, rather than being fired or written off in a storyline.

Quick Scoop: What Happened?

  • Ava announced on Instagram that her last appearance on NXT was also her final one with WWE, saying it was a “very difficult” choice but also a “new turning point” in her life.
  • Multiple reports note that WWE offered her a new deal (with a pay increase), but she turned it down.
  • Insider reports say there was no big backstage drama or heat; she simply “didn’t want to do it anymore.”

In short: this was her call, not a release, not a punishment, and not a storyline twist.

Why Did Ava Leave WWE?

From what’s publicly known, the key reasons look like this:

  1. Personal choice, not fired
    • Reporters like Dave Meltzer and others say everyone they spoke to gave the same message: she decided to walk away on her own.
 * It was described as “no compelling reason” beyond the fact that she didn’t want to keep doing wrestling at this stage of her life.
  1. Didn’t renew her contract
    • Ava confirmed she chose not to renew her WWE contract when it expired.
 * WWE reportedly even offered better money in the new deal, which she still declined, suggesting the issue wasn’t pay but direction and lifestyle.
  1. Life beyond wrestling
    • Reports mention that her parents own a studio and that people in WWE expect she may end up working there or in other non‑wrestling projects.
 * Being The Rock’s daughter, she likely has options in entertainment, production, or business that don’t involve the grind of pro wrestling.

Mini Table: Key Facts About Ava’s Exit

[3][7] [3][7] [3][7] [9][3][5] [1][7][5] [9][7][5]
Aspect Details
Who is Ava? Simone Garcia Johnson, The Rock’s daughter, former NXT on‑screen figure.
Joined WWE Signed developmental deal in 2020, debuted on NXT TV in 2022.
Exit timing Announced her departure in late January 2026, after her final NXT appearance.
Official reason Chose not to renew her contract; wanted a new direction in life.
Backstage reports No major conflict; she simply didn’t want to wrestle anymore.
Money issue? Reports say WWE even offered more money; she turned it down.

What Are Fans and Forums Saying?

Since this is a trending topic in wrestling forums and social media, there are a few main angles people are discussing:

  • “Burnout and pressure” angle
    • Some fans feel the pressure of being “The Rock’s daughter” plus trying to grow on NXT might have been emotionally heavy, even if no official source confirms burnout.
  • “Better opportunities outside WWE” angle
    • Others point out that with her family’s production ties and Hollywood connections, she might prefer working behind the scenes or in acting rather than taking bumps weekly.
  • “Creative frustration” speculation
    • A segment of fans speculate she may not have been happy with how she was used on‑screen, but no major, credible report states this as the main reason.

Because WWE never made a big storyline out of her exit on TV, most of what’s solid comes from her Instagram statement plus the top insider reports.

Where Things Stand Now (Early 2026)

  • Ava has wrapped up her role as NXT General Manager and is officially done with WWE for now.
  • Reports suggest she may pivot toward working with her family’s studio or other entertainment‑related opportunities, but nothing is officially announced yet.
  • There is no indication of a secret firing, lowball contract, or major scandal behind the scenes—just a young talent deciding to take her career in another direction.

TL;DR: If you’re searching “why did Ava leave WWE,” the clearest answer is that she chose not to renew her deal because she didn’t want to continue in wrestling and wanted a new chapter in her life, despite WWE being willing to keep her.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.