• WWE’s Reaction To The Rock’s Daughter Ava’s Comments About Charlie Kirk’s Death
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a midday event at Utah Valley University earlier this month, sparking global reactions. WWE NXT General Manager Ava, daughter of The Rock, addressed the news on Instagram by sharing a tweet that read:
“If you want people to have kind words when you pass, you should say kind words when you’re alive.”
The post drew backlash from Kirk’s supporters, who viewed it as a reference to his death. Ava later doubled down on her stance, tweeting:
“and i’ll stand behind this. be kind, now more than ever.”
Some fans questioned if WWE would take an action against her as they found her comments insensitive. However, she seems to be safe from any punishment.
The Wrestling Observer reports that someone within WWE claimed that if anyone other than Ava had made those comments, they would have been told to take them down, but “nobody will tell her.”
Ava’s father, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is a member of TKO Group Holdings’ Board Of Directors, the parent company of WWE.
• CM Punk & Batista Show Support For Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel is at the center of controversy after ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its schedule following backlash to his remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
Kirk was shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University earlier this month, and authorities reported that suspect Tyler Robinson specifically targeted him, claiming he was motivated by Kirk’s rhetoric.
On Monday’s show, Kimmel referred to Robinson as part of the “MAGA base,” a comment many viewers criticized as unfairly blaming conservatives. He also called out right-wing figures for their responses to Kirk’s death, which fueled the backlash that led to ABC’s decision.
US President Donald Trump, who has a long-standing relationship with WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, approved the move on Truth Social:
“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
Several celebrities have voiced support for Kimmel and even called for a boycott of Disney, ABC’s parent company.
One of them is former World Heavyweight Champion Batista, who shared a photo with Kimmel on Instagram, captioning it:
“Just to be clear… #IStandWithJimmyKimmel”
CM Punk also backed the late-night host by reposting Batista’s post on his Instagram story:
The endorsement from The Best In The World comes at an interesting time, as WWE is set to launch its partnership with ESPN, a Disney-owned network, tomorrow.
Punk’s backing of Kimmel comes less than 24 hours before one of the biggest matches of his career at Wrestlepalooza, the first WWE Premium Live Event set to air on ESPN. He will team up with his wife, AJ Lee, in a Mixed Tag Team Match against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch.
The match will mark AJ’s first in-ring appearance in over 10 years, making it one of the most anticipated bouts on the card.
