On January 30, Ava took to social media to announce that she was leaving WWE after her contract expired.
Ending her run as the NXT General Manager, WWE will need to think about who can replace her in this position on the brand.
Considering her role in maintaining order and setting up matches on the brand, there are a few names who could possibly come in to replace Ava following her departure from the company.
Here are seven potential WWE NXT replacements for Ava.
7. Robert Stone
During her run on the WWE NXT brand, Ava has had a few assistants by her side, which has included Robert Stone.
While her other assistant Stevie Turner took the role as authority figure on WWE Evolve before being released from the company, Stone stuck by Ava’s side and was never given a promotion to another authority figure position.
With Ava’s exit from the company, it feels like Stone will finally get his promotion to the position he has been an assistant to all this time.
Stone taking the NXT General Manager spot could bring a more heel dynamic to the role, while his former boss Ava played more of a neutral position for her entire duration in the GM role.
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6. Shawn Spears
In 2024, Shawn Spears made his return to WWE and joined the NXT brand to reassert his spot in the company.
Aligning with Izzi Dame and Niko Vance, Spears created The Culling and has gone on to cause some havoc on the NXT brand.
The former NXT North American Champion feels like he has more years behind him than in front of him.
Having the experience and reputation that might be necessary for a new position, Spears becoming NXT General Manager feels like a role that might suit him a lot better.
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5. Arianna Grace
In 2025, Arianna Grace served as the NXT and TNA Wrestling liaison, helping to bring the two companies and brands together.
This led to some issues coming to the forefront between Grace and her father Santino Marella that has been a prominent storyline on TNA television.
However, now that Ava has departed, WWE could elevate Grace to a new position as an authority figure on NXT.
Grace could use her entertaining personality to bring some intriguing directions for several stars on the NXT roster as the new GM on the show moving forward.
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4. Bobby Roode
WWE could choose someone who is part of the company in another role as the new NXT General Manager.
While he has been great as a WWE producer, Bobby Roode is someone who has some history on the brand as a former NXT Champion.
Roode getting an on-screen role would be very interesting and create some new storyline directions on the show.
Whether it be interacting with Ethan Page or Tony D’Angelo, Roode could play a crucial role as someone who has his own credentials that makes him worthy of being a NXT General Manager.
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3. AJ Styles
At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, GUNTHER defeated AJ Styles to officially end the career of “The Phenomenal One.”
With Styles officially retiring after this bout, this could open the door for him to play a new role on WWE TV.
The former two-time WWE Champion is known as one of the greatest in-ring competitors of his generation and someone who has the respect of the entire roster.
Styles returning as the NXT General Manager could bring something new and fresh to the product, seeing him as a surrogate for the showrunner in Shawn Michaels.
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2. William Regal
Sometimes, what was old is new again, and NXT could see a former GM make their return.
William Regal is often mentioned and regarded as one of the best authority figures in WWE history.
While he returned to the company back in 2023, Regal has mostly served in a backstage position and only appeared on camera just a few times over the past few years.
Regal returning to the NXT GM role would be fitting and see him bring his different take on the authority figure position that has made him an example for all other General Managers that have followed.
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1. Paige
Another former General Manager who could return to the position on WWE NXT is Paige.
Back in March 2025, Saraya announced her departure from All Elite Wrestling after a three-year run with the promotion.
Since then, Saraya has been open about wanting a return to her Paige moniker in WWE once again.
Paige returning as NXT GM might be the best way to use her on WWE programming and give her a role that fits her skills in a meaningful way.
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