Ava’s WWE Exit Caught Everyone Off Guard

Booker T has weighed in on Ava’s unexpected departure from WWE—and like many other people, the WWE Hall of Famer was caught completely off guard.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast on February 2, 2026, the two-time Hall of Famer shared his honest reaction to Ava leaving the company after a prominent run on NXT. According to Booker, there were no warning signs at all, especially backstage rumblings.

“It was definitely out of the blue. It’s got a lot of layers you can peel back and say, ‘Man, was it this or that?’ I left work last week and didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t hear any rumors, and there weren’t any rumblings about Ava maybe taking a step back.”

Booker T went on to acknowledge how unpredictable the wrestling world can be, and while he didn’t question her choice, he admitted he didn’t see it coming.

“Then again, this business is unpredictable. You could be here today and gone tomorrow. I get it, I understand it—I just didn’t see this one coming. It’s the business.”

This update follows reports from Wrestling Observer Radio that Ava left WWE entirely on her own terms. Dave Meltzer confirmed she was not released and that multiple sources said she “just didn’t want to do it anymore.” Speculation has swirled about whether the reported release of her girlfriend, Tatyanna Dumas, may have played a role, though Meltzer clarified there’s no solid link between the two events.

Ava made her last WWE appearance on the January 27 episode of NXT and confirmed her exit three days later. WWE has since moved her profile to the alumni section of its website.

At just 24 years old, Ava had already made history as the youngest General Manager in WWE and the first fourth-generation Superstar in company history. Whether this exit is a pause or a full stop remains unknown—but her absence is definitely being felt.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.