Ava WWE Return Plans: Former NXT Star Reveals Wrestling Comeback Goal

Ava WWE return plans have emerged after the former NXT star revealed that she still hopes to make an in-ring comeback once she has recovered from her injuries. The daughter of The Rock stepped away from WWE earlier in 2026 after nearly six years with the company, but her latest comments suggest she has not closed the door on wrestling.

Ava, whose real name is Simone Johnson, discussed her future during an appearance on Cody Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About podcast. Rhodes asked whether she considered her wrestling days to be over, and Ava made it clear that she still misses competing.

The former WWE star explained that she has injuries to address before returning to action. Once those issues are resolved, she hopes to put her wrestling boots back on and resume training for an eventual return.

Her comments are notable because Ava’s WWE career changed considerably over the years. She originally joined the company as a wrestler, spent time developing at the Performance Center and later transitioned into an authority role as NXT General Manager.

Ava Says She Still Wants to Wrestle

Ava was directly asked by Cody Rhodes whether she viewed her in-ring career as being behind her. Her response left the possibility of a comeback open.

She explained that she has several injuries that need to be dealt with first. Once those problems are addressed, she expects to consider wrestling again because she genuinely misses performing inside the ring.

The statement does not establish a specific return date or confirm that Ava has already agreed to another WWE contract. Instead, it reveals her personal intention to return to wrestling when she believes her body is ready.

That distinction is important because Ava did not simply announce an imminent comeback. Her comments indicate that recovery is the first priority, with a potential return coming afterward.

For a wrestler who spent several years developing her skills before moving into a non-wrestling role, the desire to compete again is also a continuation of the path she originally chose when she entered WWE.

Why Ava Left WWE in 2026

Ava joined WWE in 2020 and remained with the company for close to six years. During that period, she experienced several different stages of development within the promotion.

She initially worked toward becoming an in-ring performer and spent around three years wrestling. Beginning in 2023, however, her role changed as she transitioned into a managerial and authority position in NXT.

In January 2026, Ava chose not to renew her WWE contract. That decision brought her time with the company to an end, at least for the time being.

Her departure did not necessarily mean she had permanently abandoned wrestling. Her recent conversation with Rhodes indicates that she continued to view herself as someone who could eventually return to the ring.

Ava Continued Training Even as NXT General Manager

One of the most revealing details from Ava’s discussion with Cody Rhodes was that she did not completely stop wrestling training when her role changed.

Even while serving as NXT General Manager, Ava said she continued to train and wrestle. Her authority position therefore did not mean she had completely separated herself from the physical side of professional wrestling.

That continued training suggests that wrestling remained an important part of her career even while she was primarily appearing in a non-wrestling role on NXT television.

However, the situation changed during the final two months of her WWE run. Ava explained that she was dealing with significant pain and was no longer able to wrestle or continue training in the same way.

The injuries eventually forced her to stop wrestling altogether. According to Ava, that period also caused her to question her future within the company.

Injuries Are the Main Obstacle to Ava’s Comeback

Ava’s potential return is currently dependent on her recovery. She has not indicated that she plans to rush back into competition before addressing the injuries that interrupted her training.

Her comments suggest that the physical problems became serious enough to affect her final months with WWE. While she continued training for much of her time as NXT General Manager, she eventually reached a point where wrestling was no longer possible.

That makes recovery an important part of any potential comeback plan. Rather than providing a specific timetable, Ava has focused on getting healthy before considering another run as an active wrestler.

Her approach also leaves the timing uncertain. There is currently no confirmed date for an in-ring return, and her comments should be viewed as an expression of intent rather than an official WWE comeback announcement.

Cody Rhodes Asked Ava About Her Wrestling Future

The possibility of Ava returning to wrestling came up during her conversation with Cody Rhodes. The WWE star asked whether she believed her days as an in-ring performer were finished.

Ava’s answer immediately challenged the idea that she had permanently moved away from wrestling. She acknowledged her injuries but made it clear that she still misses the experience of competing.

That exchange provides an important look at how Ava views her career after leaving WWE. Her departure from the company and her move away from regular wrestling appearances have not eliminated her interest in performing.

Instead, her current position appears to be one of waiting and recovery. If her injuries can be resolved and she decides that she is ready to compete again, she has indicated that she would like to return.

Ava’s WWE Journey Was More Than Just Wrestling

Ava’s WWE career developed across multiple roles. When she joined the company in 2020, much of the attention surrounding her came from her family connection to The Rock.

As the daughter of one of WWE’s biggest stars, she entered the business with an unusually recognizable surname. However, she still spent years developing inside WWE’s system, including training at the Performance Center.

Her career eventually moved beyond wrestling. After roughly three years as an active wrestler, she transitioned into an authority role in NXT, where she became part of the show’s weekly leadership structure.

The change allowed her to gain experience in a different aspect of professional wrestling. Instead of focusing primarily on matches, she became involved in managing the NXT product and interacting with the roster from an authority position.

Despite that transition, her continued training demonstrated that she had not completely abandoned her wrestling ambitions.

Could Ava Return to WWE?

Ava’s comments naturally raise questions about whether WWE could eventually become her destination again. However, there is currently no confirmation that the company has offered her a new contract or that a return storyline is being planned.

Her previous WWE contract ended after she decided not to renew it in January 2026. Any future appearance would therefore depend on her health, career plans and discussions with the promotion.

WWE’s women’s division also features a large number of established performers and developing talents. Finding the right opportunity for a returning Ava would require creative planning, particularly if she eventually wants to resume wrestling rather than return only in an authority role.

For now, Ava’s own comments are the clearest indication of her intentions: she wants to wrestle again, but only after taking care of the injuries that currently stand in her way.

What an Ava Return Could Add to WWE

If Ava eventually returns as an active wrestler, WWE would have the opportunity to revisit a part of her career that was interrupted by her injuries.

Her previous experience as an NXT authority figure could also give her character additional depth. She understands WWE from both the perspective of a developing wrestler and someone who has worked in a leadership role on television.

That background could become useful if WWE decides to build a storyline around her return. She would not necessarily have to begin from the same position she occupied before becoming NXT General Manager.

At the same time, her return would ultimately depend on whether she is physically ready and whether the creative direction provides a suitable place for her.

Ava’s WWE Future Remains Open

The most significant takeaway from Ava’s conversation with Rhodes is that she has not ruled out wrestling. Her departure from WWE earlier this year therefore does not necessarily represent the final chapter of her in-ring career.

She remains focused on dealing with her injuries before making any decision about returning to action. Her comments also show that she continued to train for much of her time as NXT General Manager, demonstrating that the wrestling side of her career remained important even after her television role changed.

Whether her next chapter happens in WWE or elsewhere remains unknown. For now, the former NXT General Manager has publicly expressed a desire to return once she is healthy enough to do so.

Final Verdict

Ava has made it clear that she does not consider her wrestling journey finished. During her conversation with Cody Rhodes, she revealed that she misses wrestling and hopes to return after addressing the injuries that prevented her from training during the final months of her WWE run.

The former NXT General Manager spent around three years as an in-ring performer before moving into an authority role, but she continued training even after becoming General Manager. Her injuries eventually forced her to stop.

Ava’s WWE contract ended in January 2026 after she chose not to renew it, meaning there is currently no confirmed comeback agreement. Nevertheless, her latest comments leave the door open for a future return to professional wrestling once she is healthy and ready to compete again.