Ava Raine, a fourth-generation wrestler hailing from the prestigious Anoa’i family and the daughter of none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, finds herself stepping into illustrious shoes within the wrestling realm. While making her mark on NXT, she’s already garnering attention. However, her involvement in the heel stable, The Schism, has drawn criticism from a notable six-time WWE women’s champion.
The Schism’s Unique Impact:
Raine’s NXT journey began in 2022, and she quickly became a part of The Schism, a heel stable that has attracted intrigue. However, her in-ring presence remains limited. The Schism’s dynamic caught the eye of former WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James, though not entirely for positive reasons.
Mickie James Dislikes The Schism Name:
In a recent interview on Sirius XM’s Busted Open Radio show, Mickie James, a veteran of the industry since 1999, candidly expressed her distaste for The Schism’s name. James found the name to be off-putting, explaining that it resonated negatively with a significant portion of the audience and the wrestling community. She confessed that the name evoked an involuntary reaction of repulsion, summing it up with, “Ew. Ew. What is it? What is it?”
While acknowledging the name’s accurate representation of its meaning, which is ‘Split,’ James reiterated her strong aversion to it. Despite her feelings about the name, she commended the concept, including the masks that are part of the stable’s identity.
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Raine’s Impact and The Schism’s Reign:
Ava Raine’s addition to The Schism brought a fresh energy to the stable, and her alliance with the group has been noted by fans and wrestling insiders alike. James conveyed her appreciation for Raine, acknowledging the 22-year-old NXT star’s involvement and expressing fondness for her.
The Schism’s NXT journey gained traction with each passing day, solidifying its role as a significant heel force within the promotion. Their storyline reached a crescendo during NXT Spring Breakin’ in May, involving Bron Breakker and Joe Gacy for the NXT Championship. A mysterious masked faction, ‘The Dyad,’ played a pivotal role, later revealed to be the UK Tag champions, Grizzled Young Veterans. Their narrative emphasizes inclusion and openness.
EXCLUSIVE: @avawwe_ has a message for @ivynile_wwe regarding #NXTHeatwave… #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/NzoZyfOV5x
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2023
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Ava Raine’s Role and Promise:
Raine’s journey as part of The Schism saw her distributing iconic masks to fans and gradually unveiling her identity as Raine on an episode of NXT. The stable offered her a sense of belonging and acceptance, and as a fresh face in the NXT landscape, her progress continues to captivate fans’ attention. With the weight of being The Rock’s daughter, Raine carries forward a legacy that brings both anticipation and challenge.
