Fourth generation, new WWE signee Simone Garcia Johnson combining family’s skills, traits
First and foremost, Simone Garcia Johnson is her own person.
Yes, she is the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and her mother is the very successful businesswoman Dany Garcia.
But the 18-year-old Simone is making her own mark, and her latest endeavor is officially signing with World Wrestling Entertainment and being stationed at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
Of course it helps having a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather who achieved super stardom in the pro wrestling/sports entertainment vocation. Makes it easier getting your foot in the door.
But remaining inside and climbing the steps to the next floors/levels are all on the person.
Simone Johnson is that person. She is a mature young lady, smart like her mother, athletic like mom and dad and caring like both.
Garcia competed on the crew team at the University of Miami where she met Johnson, a Hurricanes football player. They are also noted for their business acumen, people skills, physically fit stature and philanthropy.
Even when they divorced, they remained friends and business partners. With a background in finance, Garcia is the Rock’s manager. She also co-founded the production company Seven Bucks Productions with Johnson in 2012, which has produced several films starring him.
Ata Maivia Johnson, the matriarch of the family, is another tremendous role model Simone’s life. Ata lived the pro wrestling business from birth. Ata’s father, the late High Chief Peter Maivia, is a legend (and WWE Hall of Famer) as is her former husband, the late Soulman Rocky Johnson.
Rocky Johnson, a ground-breaker in the industry, recently passed away, and while his memory remains, the next generation is officially carrying the family torch by this announcement.
Note: Wipe your wrestling shoes off, before entering the squared circle.
Simone Johnson is embarking on a career in the sport at a good time. Women’s wrestling is well-respected throughout the world and at its highest level currently in WWE. Women are branded as superstars, and they are main eventing WWE TV shows and pay-per-views. The company’s Super Bowl, WrestleMania, featured Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey in the main event last year. Those type of goals in WWE and elsewhere is attainable for female athletes.
With that in mind, Simone Johnson has been spotted at the WWE Performance Center prior. In October when WWE welcomed media to the performance center — to promote NXT’s premiere from Full Sail Live on the USA Network -- Johnson was there, watching, listening, learning.
Photos and video of Simone at the WWE PC in October
Full Sail Live at Full Sail University in Winter Park (near Orlando) houses NXT on USA Network each Wednesday. Full Sail Live also served as the site for the Mae Young Classic. In 2018, Johnson attended the Mae Young Classic along with mom Dany.
Born and raised in Davie, Simone often attended WWE shows in the area with grandma Ata.
A solid athlete, she played volleyball at Davie University School. Her aspirations include studying business and becoming a WWE superstar.
She worked as a model with the prestigious IMG since age 14 and helped her parents with their production pursuits since age 12.
WWE prides itself on helping others, giving back.
Simone is already driven by causes, giving back.
A Golden Globe ambassador in 2018, she used Instagram to raise awareness for Time’s Up, an initiative that aims to combat sexual harassment and systemic sexism in the workplace. Her social media platform also includes supporting women’s rights and the representation of all people.
That from a teenager.
Her athleticism, coachability, drive, determination, maturity and heart are what make her a top prospect in WWE and more importantly a top prospect in life.
It will be cool to see her develop through WWE’s rank and file. The company boasts an excellent coaching staff at the performance center, led by Matt Bloom and Sara Amato.
There’s also Serena Deeb, Scott Garland (Scotty 2 Hotty), Shannon Moore, Norman Smiley, Terry Taylor and HBK Shawn Michaels.
Some excellent talent training at the performance center such as Catalina Garcia, Santana Garrett and Deonna Purrazzo. Rehabbing from injury include Rachael Evers (Ellering) and Karen Q, two more solid combatants.
William Regal and Robbie Brookside are part of the team, too. WWE legend Pat Patterson, who helped train the Rock, is also available. Quite the ensemble.
The Performance Center is the brainchild of Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who waged battles with The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment. Many performance center graduates are starring on Raw, SmackDown and NXT.
For WWE superstars, it’s not just about in-ring skill (performance). It’s also about education and culture, fitness and health, being professional in and out of the ring — and courteous to the WWE Universe.
She will meet some of that colossal Universe at meet-and-greets on smaller NXT house shows during the regular Florida loop and wrestle on those shows, too. Get ready Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce. Good times.
WWE Performance Center Website:
https://www.wweperformancecenter.com/#!/
NXT Website:
https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt
Name Game
Wonder if WWE will change her name. The Rock started as Rocky Maivia to honor his dad and grand-father.
Well, the Rockette? No. Reminds me of Radio City Music Hall.
How about Dany Johnson to honor mom and dad?
I like Simone Garcia Maivia Johnson. Connects everyone.
We’ll see.
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