WWE Star Ava Raine Faces Backlash Over Comments Following Charlie Kirk Assassination

The unexpected collision of wrestling, politics, and tragedy has sparked one of the most polarizing controversies of the year. At the center of it is Ava Raine, the 24-year-old WWE performer better known to her family as Simone Garcia Johnson—the daughter of Hollywood megastar and wrestling legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Raine made social media posts that many perceived as dismissive, even cruel, and the backlash has been immediate, fierce, and unrelenting. While some defend her as simply sharing a message about kindness, others argue her timing was reckless, her words insensitive, and her refusal to back down a sign of arrogance.

What began as a single reshared quote on Instagram has now exploded into a cultural flashpoint that highlights not only the fragility of public life in the digital era but also the deep fault lines running through American politics, entertainment, and fandom.

The Assassination That Shook a Nation

On September 10, 2025, Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, was the scene of horror. Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and one of the most recognizable conservative voices of his generation, was answering questions from students in a large campus auditorium. The event, like many of Kirk’s appearances, was charged with energy—supporters cheering, critics pressing him with challenging questions.

But in an instant, the tone shifted. A single shot rang out. Kirk collapsed, struck in the neck by a bullet fired from a nearby rooftop. Students and faculty scrambled for cover. Emergency responders rushed forward, but despite frantic efforts, Kirk was pronounced dead shortly after.

News of his assassination spread like wildfire across social media and television. Within minutes, the tragedy dominated headlines. By nightfall, tributes and condemnations poured in from across the political spectrum.

Kirk left behind a grieving wife, Erika, and two young children. For his supporters, his death was more than the loss of a man—it felt like an attack on their values, their movement, and their right to speak freely in a polarized America.

Ava Raine’s Post That Sparked a Firestorm

Against this backdrop, Ava Raine posted a quote on Instagram just hours after the assassination:

“If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind things when you’re alive.”

The words weren’t her own; she had reshared them from comedian Gianmarco Soresi. Yet context mattered. Kirk’s death was fresh, raw, and dominating the news cycle. To many, the timing made the post look like a pointed jab at a man whose family hadn’t even had time to process their grief.

Raine didn’t stop there. On X (formerly Twitter), she added her own commentary:

“And I’ll stand behind this. Be kind, now more than ever.”

For her critics, this was proof that she wasn’t simply sharing a generic message about kindness but using the assassination to drive home a moral lesson, as if Kirk’s death had been a cautionary tale rather than an unqualified tragedy.

Backlash Erupts

The reaction was immediate and overwhelming. Thousands flooded her mentions and replies, with many accusing her of cruelty and disrespect. Wrestling fans, political commentators, and ordinary social media users piled on.

One comment that gained traction read:

“So it’s ‘be kind’ or you deserve assassination? What a disgusting thing to say. Imagine someone posting this about your dad.”

Others tagged WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, demanding that the organization take disciplinary action:

“@WWE @TKOGrp — is this who you want representing your brand? Silence is endorsement.”

Memes circulated within hours. Some mocked Raine directly, others used her father’s image. One viral meme featured The Rock with the caption, “Finally… The Rock has come back to tell his daughter to stop talking.” Another, harsher one showed a split image: Kirk’s grieving family juxtaposed with Raine smiling in a wrestling promo, captioned “Empathy? Not her finisher.”

Within 24 hours, hashtags like #FireAvaRaine and #WWEBoycott were trending, fueled by conservative commentators and fan accounts alike.

WWE Caught in the Crossfire

For WWE, the situation was precarious. The company has long marketed itself as a global entertainment brand, carefully avoiding overt political entanglements. Yet Raine’s family name and the gravity of Kirk’s assassination meant the controversy couldn’t simply be ignored.

Industry insiders suggest WWE executives quickly convened to assess the fallout. Firing Raine outright could inflame debates over free speech and spark accusations of corporate censorship. But doing nothing risked alienating segments of their fan base and damaging the company’s reputation.

Adding to the complexity was Raine’s lineage. As The Rock’s daughter and the first fourth-generation wrestler in WWE history, her career carried symbolic weight. Cutting ties with her could strain WWE’s relationship with one of its most important alumni and global ambassadors.

As of this writing, WWE has issued no formal statement, but sources within the wrestling industry say the company is “monitoring the situation closely.”

Not an Isolated Case

Ava Raine isn’t the only figure to face fallout over commentary following Kirk’s assassination. In the days immediately after the tragedy:

• MSNBC severed ties with analyst Matthew Dowd after he suggested Kirk’s rhetoric might have contributed to his fate.

• The Carolina Panthers fired communications staffer Charlie Rock for what the franchise described as an “insensitive” social media post.

• Teachers in multiple states were suspended or terminated after making comments on Facebook or TikTok that appeared celebratory or dismissive of Kirk’s death.

The pattern was clear: remarks seen as disrespectful or politicized in the wake of the assassination were treated with zero tolerance, especially by employers conscious of public image.

Who Is Ava Raine?

Born Simone Garcia Johnson in 2001, Ava Raine is the eldest child of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his ex-wife, Dany Garcia. From a young age, she grew up in the shadow of one of wrestling’s and Hollywood’s most beloved figures.

When she debuted in WWE’s developmental brand NXT in 2022, expectations were immense. Fans saw her as carrying the torch of a family legacy that stretched back generations, from her father to her grandfather Rocky Johnson, and her great-grandfather “High Chief” Peter Maivia.

While her in-ring career is still in its early stages, she has shown promise, working primarily in storylines with NXT’s Schism faction. Many saw her as destined for greatness, a potential future WrestleMania headliner who could eventually transcend wrestling as her father did.

Now, however, her career faces a serious test. Instead of headlines about her progress in the ring, the world is debating her social media activity.

Broader Implications

The controversy reveals more than just one star’s misstep. It illustrates how public figures, especially those tied to major entertainment brands, live under relentless scrutiny. In an era where a single post can spark outrage, careers can be reshaped overnight.

It also speaks to America’s cultural polarization. For many conservatives, Kirk’s assassination wasn’t just the death of one man—it symbolized an attack on their worldview. Against that backdrop, any commentary perceived as flippant or critical of Kirk was destined to provoke fury.

Supporters of Raine argue that her message was generic, a call for kindness that could apply universally. Critics counter that in moments of raw grief, even neutrality can look like hostility if timing and tone miss the mark.

What Comes Next?

As of mid-September, Raine has not deleted her posts nor issued an apology. Her decision to stand by her words has divided opinion further. Some admire her for refusing to back down, framing it as an act of principle. Others see it as stubbornness, a refusal to acknowledge the pain her words caused.

What WWE decides will be pivotal. If they discipline her, they may appease angry fans but risk accusations of silencing talent. If they do nothing, they may face boycotts and further criticism.

For Raine herself, the incident may define the early years of her career. Whether it becomes a stumbling block she overcomes or a stain she never escapes will depend on how she navigates the storm in the weeks ahead.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has plunged America into grief and controversy. In that volatile climate, Ava Raine’s social media posts have turned her into an unexpected lightning rod, dragging WWE into the storm and putting her young career at risk.

Whether remembered as a cautionary tale about timing and sensitivity, or as an early controversy that she eventually overcame, one thing is certain: in today’s hyperconnected world, the line between personal expression and public accountability is thinner than ever.

And for Ava Raine, that line may decide not only her reputation, but her future in the world of wrestling.

In the days following his death, candlelight vigils sprang up across several states, with students, pastors, veterans, and ordinary Americans gathering to honor Charlie Kirk’s memory. At Utah Valley University, where the shooting occurred, thousands filled the campus courtyard, holding flags and reciting prayers in silence. Some wept openly, while others carried handmade posters that read “Debate, Not Violence” and “Charlie’s Voice Lives On.” A pastor from Provo, Utah, told the crowd that Kirk’s death was not just a tragedy for his family but “a sobering moment for an entire nation wrestling with division.”

His widow, Erika, who has since become the central figure in the movement to continue her husband’s mission, stood on the stage at one of these vigils and addressed the grieving crowd. Her voice cracked, but her words were steady: “Charlie did not live in fear of speaking the truth, and I will not live in fear either. If my husband could give his life for the cause he believed in, then we who are left must carry that cause forward with courage.”

Meanwhile, the crowdfunding campaign on GiveSendGo continued to grow at a record-breaking pace. By the fifth day, donations had surged past $6 million, far exceeding the original $5 million goal. Contributors ranged from small-town church groups sending $50 to wealthy business figures pledging tens of thousands. Several donors left emotional notes alongside their contributions: “Charlie taught my son to love his country”; “Thank you for defending faith when so many were silent”; “May your children always know their father was a hero.”

In Washington, tributes poured in from both allies and critics who, despite political differences, condemned the violent act. Former President Donald Trump dedicated an entire rally segment to Kirk, saying, “We lost a true patriot, a man who loved this country with his whole heart. Charlie should have been debating, not dying. And we will never forget him.” Across the aisle, a handful of political opponents who had once debated him also issued statements of shock, noting that although they disagreed with his views, they respected his commitment to free speech.

The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, was quickly brought before a Utah judge. Prosecutors revealed disturbing details, alleging that Robinson had harbored resentment toward Kirk’s outspoken presence on college campuses. Court documents indicated that he had been planning the attack for weeks, fueled by anger over what he perceived as Kirk’s “influence on young minds.” His arrest and trial have reignited a national debate over political violence in America, with lawmakers calling for increased security measures for public figures.

Kirk’s death has also left a profound impact on his media platforms. His daily radio show aired a special tribute episode, with co-hosts and colleagues sharing memories of his energy, humor, and determination. Clips of Kirk debating on campuses, speaking about God, and encouraging young conservatives went viral, spreading far beyond his usual audience. In the weeks since, his podcasts and videos have been replayed millions of times, turning his final words into rallying cries for his supporters.

Erika has vowed to continue those efforts, announcing that she will step into the role of overseeing the nonprofit organizations her husband built. She told a national news outlet, “Charlie’s voice will not be silenced. I will raise our children with the same values he lived by, and I will make sure the message of faith, patriotism, and family continues to be heard.”

Even among those who never met him, there has been a sense of loss. Across small towns in America, churches have dedicated Sunday services to his memory. In Texas, one congregation lit 36 candles to symbolize each year of Kirk’s life. In Florida, veterans held a flag ceremony in his honor, saluting in silence before folding the flag and presenting it to a photo of him in his younger years.

The debate over his legacy has also expanded. While his supporters see him as a martyr for free speech and faith, others have taken the opportunity to reflect on the intensity of America’s political climate. Some editorial boards have written that his death should be a wake-up call for both sides to address the culture of hostility that often surrounds campus debates and public discourse.

Yet, among his closest friends and family, the focus remains on preserving his memory not through politics alone but through the values he lived by: faith in God, love for his family, and belief in America. Erika has shared several personal stories since his passing, recalling how even after the longest days of travel and debate, Charlie would come home, scoop up their children, and tell them bedtime stories filled with hope and laughter.

As the weeks turn into months, the question is no longer only how Charlie Kirk died, but how his life and message will continue to shape those who followed him. His name is being attached to new scholarships, mentorship programs, and campus initiatives meant to encourage debate without violence. His colleagues insist this is exactly how he would have wanted to be remembered—not as a victim of hatred but as a champion of dialogue, however difficult.

For Erika and the two young children he leaves behind, the journey ahead will not be easy. But as one of the top comments on the crowdfunding page reads: “The world may have lost Charlie Kirk, but America hasn’t lost his mission. It now belongs to us all.”