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Combat Sports · Wrestling · published 2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00 · via Wrestling Inc.

Simone Johnson Looks Back at Fan Backlash After The Rock Replaced Cody Rhodes

Image via Wrestling Inc.
Image via Wrestling Inc.

Simone Johnson remembered being warned that fans might boo her at NXT Vengeance Day after her father, The Rock, briefly took Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania 40 spot. She said the hostile reaction online and in the arena changed how she viewed fans and the wrestling industry. Over time, she came to see the experience as something that made her more confident in her work.

Expanded Detail

After Cody Rhodes won the 2023 men’s Royal Rumble, he named the reigning champion as his WrestleMania 40 target. WWE then shifted course, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stepping into that slot, prompting fan anger. Simone Johnson, also known as Ava, had recently been named NXT’s on-screen general manager.

At NXT Vengeance Day in 2024, two days after that SmackDown, writer Johnny Russo warned her that her promo might draw boos. The crowd did boo, and online criticism followed. WWE later returned to Rhodes versus the champion, while The Rock turned heel and aligned with him. Simone eventually left WWE in January 2026.

Context

This episode may illustrate how booking decisions can spill beyond storylines and affect performers’ families. Fans who engage in online backlash could shape creative direction, while relatives of prominent wrestlers may face misplaced hostility. For Simone Johnson, the experience could have influenced her confidence and eventual departure. It may also prompt industry observers to consider how quickly fan sentiment can shift and how performers process public criticism.

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Simone Johnson Recalls WWE Fan Reaction After The Rock Took Cody Rhodes' Spot In 2024.” Browse more stories.