Ava Raine, the offspring of wrestling icon Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has reinforced her provocative statements following the slaying of right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, aged 31 and the creator of Turning Point USA, was gunned down during a speech at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, causing ripples across politics and showbiz.
This sorrowful event has polarized views, with many grieving his loss as others face scrutiny for their reactions.
Shortly after Kirk’s passing, Raine—real name Simone Johnson—landed in controversy due to her divisive remarks.
Raine isn’t alone in the sports and celeb spheres drawing ire for statements on Kirk’s demise; multiple people have been ousted from jobs over perceived callous comments, according to MailOnline.
Carolina Panthers’ communications staffer Charlie Rock got the boot for ridiculing Kirk’s death online, and Phoenix Suns reporter Gerald Bourguet was dismissed for labeling Kirk an “evil man.”
MSNBC commentator Matthew Dowd lost his gig for implying on air that a Kirk fan could be the killer, while Judge Ted Berry was ousted from the Joe Burrow Foundation for tactless posts.
WWE fans are divided over Raine’s words, with detractors swarming platforms to urge bosses to intervene, tagging leaders like Triple H and TKO Group.
One poster asked: “@WWE @TKOGrp does tko and wwe stand behind this?” Another added: “If your a** ain’t unemployed by the end of the day this shifts to WWE itself.”
Many followers highlight perceived hypocrisy, claiming Raine’s “nepo baby” privilege protects her unlike others in the ring.
Yet, defenders uphold her freedom of speech, with one saying: “She’s correct. Be someone worth partying about when you die. You can’t go around treating people poorly in life and then want people to behave as though you weren’t when you die.”
On Instagram Stories, Johnson reposted comedian Gianmarco Soresi’s message, via New York Post: “If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind things when you’re alive.”
Though it omitted Kirk’s name, the post’s timing prompted interpretations as a jab at the late advocate’s divisive history and rhetoric.
Instead of retracting amid growing flak, the 24-year-old grappler affirmed her stance on X (once Twitter): “and i’ll stand behind this. be kind, now more than ever.” Her unyielding attitude has amplified criticism from wrestling enthusiasts and right-leaning voices.
While penalties hit some commenters, various athletic groups commemorated Kirk. The New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers led with silence moments, joined by NFL squads on Sunday.
Teams like the Jets, Dolphins, Titans, Saints, Steelers, Cowboys, and Cardinals halted play to honor him, but the Lions, Bengals, Ravens, Colts, and Vikings skipped the gestures. WWE remains silent on Raine’s statements or any punishment.
The suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, faces aggravated murder charges, potentially including capital punishment in Utah if pursued.