WWE Star Ava Raine Faces Backlash Over Comments Following Charlie Kirk Assassination
The world of wrestling and politics collided this week as Ava Raine, the 24-year-old WWE performer and daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, came under intense scrutiny for remarks widely perceived as insensitive in the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Raine, whose real name is Simone Garcia Johnson, is now at the center of a growing controversy that has not only ignited heated debates online but also triggered calls from some wrestling fans for WWE to terminate her contract. At the same time, her supporters argue that her comments have been misunderstood and that the backlash reflects a broader cultural divide.
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent voice in conservative politics, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. According to investigators, Kirk was answering questions from students about mass shootings and gun violence when a single bullet struck his neck. Authorities later said the shot was fired from a nearby rooftop in what they described as a “targeted assassination.”
The shocking incident left the audience of students, faculty, and attendees in chaos as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Kirk was pronounced dead shortly afterward despite attempts to save his life.