Tag: CJ Perry

Former Lana addresses WWE absence and potential return

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Since parting ways with WWE in 2021, Lana, aka CJ Perry, returned to WWE in 2025 under a “Legends” contract. However, she is yet to make her TV return.

While her husband Rusev has been back on television for nearly a year and is set to compete at this year’s WrestleMania 42, fans have not yet seen Lana by his side. While the two appeared together regularly during their time in AEW, such has not been the case in WWE.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Perry was asked about her absence and possible return to Rusev’s side.

“Lana, right now, is exiled in Siberia. She let her country down and is doing work there. CJ, when the time is right, I will appear. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later, but in the meantime, I’m focusing on writing for Uncrowned. I love new journeys,” she said.

“If I can be in the world of storytelling and entertaining, if it’s on a podcast, stand up, writing a wrestling column, I am very grateful that I can stay in the business or storytelling and hopefully entertain and put a smile on faces,” she continued.

Sharing her “dream” of working again with her husband, Perry added, “That would be a dream, for sure. I love working with my husband. One of my favorite things to do is collaborate with, [and] create with other creatives, and I think my husband is one of the most creative, smart, funny, athletic, iconic wrestlers and creative minds that I know.”

Rusev is currently scheduled to compete for Penta’s WWE Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match at WrestleMania 42.

CJ Perry shares ‘incredible’ WWE advice Brock Lesnar gave her

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

CJ Perry detailed advice she received from Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar for one of her promos in 2016. She recalled being particularly impressed by Lesnar’s knowledge of the industry. 

In her Yahoo Sports column, Uncrowned, Perry wrote about a promo from 2016 ahead of Rusev’s match with Lesnar for a WWE live event. Heyman shared his feedback which she followed up by noting Lesnar’s take on the same. 

“Back in 2016 in San Jose, I got to see up close how smart Brock is to this business. It was Brock vs. Rusev on some WWE live events, and my husband and I were just starting out. Before the show, Paul Heyman gave me pointers on part of my promo and then asked Brock what he thought about it.”

“Brock took a second and thought, and then gave me notes on how I could say it. He took what Paul and I had come up with, and spun it in a completely different direction by anticipating the audience’s reaction, and then having a plan to deal with that reaction.”

“We went out there that night and did our promo, and the match with Brock vs. Rusev was incredible. When we came back, Brock pulled me aside and gave me notes on my execution. He told me I was ‘stepping on my on pop by not allowing them to boo longer’ and to ‘wait a bit longer for the crowd to start chanting.’ It was incredible advice I got from Brock, and the whole experience really helped Miro and I grow as performers and on the mic,” Perry wrote. 

“But I was more blown away by how wise Brock was to this business. I guess I bought into what he wants us all to see, which is the viking destroyer character, but backstage there’s few smarter than him in knowing how to pull the most from a beat, or a movement or a moment.”

Perry made her WWE debut in 2013 as Rusev’s manager and competed in her first match at the WrestleMania 32 pre-show. She was released from the company in 2021 and a couple of years later joined AEW until November 2023. 

Last year, Perry signed a Legends deal with WWE. She has not officially retired from in-ring competition and expressed interest on numerous occasions on a potential return.

Former WWE star Lana planning indie return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former WWE and AEW personality CJ Perry (Lana) is planning a return to the professional wrestling industry.

On a new episode of TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, Perry laid out some of her plans for 2026. She is now part of Inside the Ring as a regular contributor, and Perry is about to start attending stand-up comedy classes ahead of her first comedy show happening this March. Perry also stated that she will be returning to the indies as a manager.

“I will be returning back to professional wrestling and I’m going to be hitting the indie scene,” she announced. “Definitely on the mic and managing, 100 percent. And that’s also why I’m enrolling in stand-up, because I want to be so good on the mic. I want to be so sharp. I want to be so iconic. Paul Heyman is my favorite manager of all time. I’m always studying him and watching him. And yeah, I’m going to go on this journey. So I’m going to start going to wrestling events, and I’m going to start searching for the next super athlete.”

Perry said it’s to be determined whether she will be appearing as herself or going back to her Lana persona. She is also not closing the door on competing in the ring.

“My goal is not to start wrestling, but if someone has an issue with me and I need to resolve some conflict in the ring, you better believe I’m going to be ready,” she hyped.

When her husband Rusev returned to WWE in 2025, Perry signed a Legends contract with the company. She’s said the Legends deal could potentially lead to her getting involved in WWE storylines when the time is right.

Perry hosts her own podcast called Identity Crisis along with appearing on Inside the Ring. Her husband Rusev is opening up his own wrestling school in their home city of Nashville in March.

Lana ‘shocked’ to be considered WWE Legend, always ready for TV return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Lana was “shocked” when she got the call from WWE offering her a Legends contract.

The deal was signed by Lana (CJ Perry) around the time her husband Rusev returned to WWE in April 2025. After recently announcing the news publicly on her Identity Crisis podcast, Lana received some backlash on social media over being considered a WWE Legend. She addressed that on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, saying she understands there’s a big gap on the legends scale between her and someone like Randy Savage. Still, Lana is thankful to be considered part of WWE history.

“Oh my gosh. I’m like, I’m still processing it,” she said about the Legends contract. “It’s funny because I would say it’s been kind of controversial. One of the biggest things that I had on my podcast last week was announcing that I’m a WWE Legend. And you thought I stole their Christmas presents or something, you know? People were so mad. People were like, ‘It’s a stretch’ and they’re fighting, and then other fans are coming in and defending me. So I just want to acknowledge, I understand. I was that shocked too. I absolutely understand that there’s a huge difference between the character Lana and Randy Savage on the legend scale. I get it. But this is what WWE calls their contracts, post being a full WWE Superstar.

“They called my agent. My agent called me. I was crying. I was shocked. They gave Miro a contract and they gave me the WWE Legend contract at the same time. I’m so thankful. I’m so, so, so thankful.”

Along with the merchandising opportunities the Legends contract offers, Lana said the deal could potentially allow her to be reintroduced back into WWE storylines in the future. She would love for that to happen whenever the time is right.

“Of course, you know, I would love to. And I just think it’s all about timing and story,” Lana told Van Vliet about a possible return. “But I’m always ready. I’m always ready.”

Lana was released by WWE in 2021 and later had a stint in AEW with Rusev. She has not wrestled any matches since her first WWE run.

CJ Perry launching podcast, announces first guest

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

CJ Perry is jumping into the podcast game.

Revealed on a new Instagram account, the show is called Identity Crisis and will be co-hosted by she and film producer Jonathan Saba, described as “two professional fakers who’ve made a living playing the part!”

Saba is listed as both the co-president and executive producer at Saban Films with previous roles at Anchor Bay Film, Image Entertainment, and Rilean Pictures which he co-founded.

The first episode launches on Monday, November 3 with a familiar first guest: current WWE wrestler and Perry’s husband Rusev. A short clip can be found below.

Since leaving the business after a short run with AEW, Perry has transitioned into acting with roles in two 2025 movies: Guns Up and The Stranger In My Home. Earlier this year, it was announced the former Lana in WWE is co-writing the novel Bulletproof Angel with author & screenwriter Blake Northcott as part of a new book-to-film initiative.

CJ Perry to release spy novel as part of book-to-film collaboration with Paradigm

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Lana is writing a book.

Deadline reported on Monday that the former WWE and AEW star will team up with author and screenwriter Blake Northcott on a fiction novel titled ‘Bulletproof Angel.’ The collaboration will be part of Paradigm’s new book-to-film initiative with The Sports Group that sees athletes team with bestselling authors.

The sypnosis from Deadline reads: “Bulletproof Angel is a high-octane international spy thriller that centers on a brilliant young CIA agent and her estranged mother, a retired operative with a haunted past. They are forced to work together behind enemy lines to stop an AI-powered weapon system capable of triggering global catastrophe.”

“I’ve always been drawn to stories of espionage, betrayal, and resilience, and building a world around two powerful female operatives was a dream,” Perry told Deadline. “Blake is an incredible partner, and Bulletproof Angel is just the beginning.”

Northcutt told Deadline: “CJ has a sharp creative instinct and a cinematic sense of story. She’s a true storyteller. This book is a fast-paced, emotional ride with explosive action and a core that’s all heart.”

Rusev and Lana both re-signed with WWE earlier this year, with Rusev making his return on the Raw following WrestleMania 41. Lana has remained off television, signing a Legends deal.

Former WWE & AEW stars Miro and CJ Perry reconcile, renew wedding vows

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Former WWE and AEW wrestlers Miro and CJ Perry have reconciled and renewed their wedding vows.

TMZ reports that the couple have reconciled following their 2023 separation, and renewed their wedding vows in a Los Angeles ceremony “a few weeks ago.”

Exactly one year ago today, TMZ reported that the couple, married since 2016, had separated. The report emphasized that neither had accused the other of cheating, and that the pair had simply grown apart over the years.

In Tuesday’s reconciliation report, the outlet notes that the couple began speaking again last June, with things progressing over the ensuing months as “they slowly continued to rekindle their relationship.” TMZ also reports that the couple never officially divorced.

As Rusev and Lana, Miro and Perry were paired together on and off throughout their WWE stint from 2014 to 2020. Miro was released by WWE during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. Perry remained with the company until she was released in June 2021.

Miro debuted for AEW in September 2020, and worked infrequently for the company until being granted his release earlier this year. His last match for the promotion took place at Worlds End in December 2023. He wrestled his first match post-AEW at an indie event in Qatar last month, losing to Alberto El Patron.

Perry briefly joined AEW for an on-screen stint between October and December 2023, but announced she was no longer with the promotion last year.

CJ Perry no longer with AEW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CJ Perry is no longer with AEW.

USA Today published an interview on Friday where the former Lana revealed that her time with AEW “has just finished.” She debuted for the promotion at All Out in September 2023 but has not been on AEW programming since December, when she betrayed Andrade El Idolo at Worlds End during his match against Miro.

Perry said she’s now free to sign with any wrestling promotion. Rather than competing in the ring, she is focused on being an on-screen manager. Perry has not wrestled since being released by WWE in 2021.

“I’m really focused on finding talent and cultivating them and helping them become the best wrestler, champion possible,” she said. “I guess you could say I want to be the Paul Heyman.”

Perry told USA Today that it’s hard to compare AEW and WWE given the differences in their products.

“It’s hard to compare AEW and WWE, Perry said, now that she’s worked for both promotions,” USA Today wrote. “She said AEW is much more sport driven and it’s been great to see so many people get jobs there. WWE is in her heart and soul, and she loves the drama, viewing it as ‘the greatest franchise in the world.'”

In March of this year, Perry & Miro announced that they were separating after seven years of marriage. Miro hasn’t been in action since his match at Worlds End, noting that he’s recovering from a shoulder injury and an elbow injury.

Wrestling Observer Live: Vince McMahon lawsuit, Miro and CJ, Maxxine angle, more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the latest on the Vince McMahon lawsuit, who the four Corporate Officers were and what it means, Miro and CJ split up, line-ups for the next several shows, RAW notes including the angle with Maxxine, and more. A packed show, so check it out~!

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AEW’s Miro & CJ Perry separating after seven years of marriage

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Miro and CJ Perry are separating.

TMZ reported on Monday that the couple are ending their relationship after seven years of marriage. Perry confirmed the separation in a statement.

“Miro and I have made the difficult decision to separate after many wonderful years together, and have decided to move on as friends, and hopefully onscreen characters somewhere down the road,” she told TMZ.

According to the report, the two separated in the fall but neither have filed for divorce.

The former couple were associated with one another as far back as 2013, when Rusev (Miro) adopted Lana (Perry) as his manager in NXT. They were called up the following year and married in 2016. In 2020, Rusev was released by WWE, with Perry being released one year later. Both have since joined AEW.

Perry started a storyline last fall with Miro in which she wanted to continue her managing career, taking up Andrade El Idolo as a client. The angle culminated at Worlds End on December 30 with Perry turning on Idolo. Neither Miro or Perry have been on AEW TV since then. 

AEW’s CJ Perry says MRSA infection ‘heading in the right direction’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AEW star CJ Perry’s ongoing battle with a MRSA infection has another update.

Perry on Sunday posted a video on X in which she thanked everyone for their well wishes, saying that the surgeon told her that the infection was “heading in the right direction” and is going to the surgeon “almost every day” in order to clean out and redress the wound.

“[The surgeon] put an IV in my hand with a really long needle. She said it was going to feel like fire. And literally, fire…felt a stinging sensation go up my arm. Lasted around five minutes and then it went numb. She said it was good news..and she dug in more and started to see blood, and she said we’re heading in the right direction.”

Perry has been battling the MRSA infection for the last month, requiring another trip to the hospital last week following complications. Her last appearance on AEW television took place at Worlds End on December 30, when she turned on her client Andrade El Idolo to side with her husband Miro.

CJ Perry shares health update after return to hospital

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After complications with her finger infection forced her to return to the hospital, CJ Perry has provided an update on her health.

Perry spent five days in the hospital last month due to a MRSA infection that could have potentially been fatal. The infection started in Perry’s finger after getting a splinter backstage at an AEW show. The infection spread up her arm, and Perry needed to undergo surgery on December 19.

On Wednesday, Perry revealed that she was headed back to the hospital due to complications while healing after surgery. Perry then shared an update today where she stated that she’ll be undergoing a second surgery next week.

The update was written partially in-character. It includes graphic photos of Perry’s finger infection.

Karma is purring in my lap …. But worth it to make sure @andradealmas was sent off properly at #AEWWorldsEnd @aew. Second surgery next week. Draining mersa daily.

Flesh and scabs cut out of my finger again today. Antibiotics again. Possible full blown second surgery next week but I would risk it all again for my ex clients, future clients and current clients.

At AEW Worlds End on December 30, Perry turned against Andrade El Idolo. Perry helped her husband Miro defeat Andrade at the pay-per-view. It was Andrade’s last match before departing AEW. It’s expected that Andrade will be returning to WWE.

CJ Perry back in hospital, may need second surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CJ Perry is back in the hospital and may need to undergo a second surgery.

Last month, Perry spent five days in the hospital due to a MRSA infection that could have potentially been fatal. The infection started after she got a small splinter backstage at AEW Dynamite. The infection spread up Perry’s arm and she needed to undergo surgery.

Perry revealed on Wednesday morning that she was on her way to the hospital again due to dealing with complications while healing after surgery.

“On my way to the hospital again because complications happen with healing and infection possibly coming back,” Perry wrote. “I find out soon if I need a second surgery.”

Perry was able to return to AEW programming at Worlds End on December 30. The pay-per-view featured an angle where Perry betrayed Andrade El Idolo, who she had been managing. Perry helped her husband Miro defeat Andrade.

Worlds End was Andrade’s final AEW match before his contract expired. He’s expected to be on his way back to WWE. On January 2, Andrade posted a statement confirming his AEW departure. Andrade thanked AEW and Tony Khan for his time in the promotion.

CJ Perry ‘going home’ after five-day hospital stay for infected finger

Posted on by Ian Carey

CJ Perry is headed home.

The 38-year-old had been in hospital since Saturday after a cut on her finger became infected and the infection traveled up her arm. She underwent surgery to treat the infection on Monday. 

Perry posted to Instagram on Thursday to announce that she is going home. 

Editor’s note: Perry’s post below includes graphic images of her finger and a video of her vomiting. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1IkteqvDjv

“I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours,” Perry wrote on Monday. “The infection has gotten worse and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all.”

Perry later revealed she got the splinter backstage at the December 13 AEW Dynamite show. 

Perry was forced to miss her scheduled CMLL debut at Arena Mexico on Friday night as a result of the ordeal. She was set to serve as Andrade El Idolo’s manager as he returned to the promotion that night. 

CJ Perry details how she got potentially lethal infection

Posted on by Ian Carey

CJ Perry appears in good spirits after having surgery recently to treat a serious infection. 

Perry has been in hospital since Saturday after a cut on her finger became infected and spread up her arm. 

She posted a video to Instagram on Tuesday revealing that the infection started from a small splinter she got backstage at Dynamite last week. 

Perry wrote:

I have been in the hospital since Saturday fighting a fatal infection that came from getting a small splinter backstage at work this past Wednesday. Please keep me in your prayers. And everyone really take care of any cuts you get. As small as a splinter can turn into a deadly infection. Love all of you guys and thank you to everyone who has reached out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C1DiLQUpprM

Perry also posted a graphic picture of her finger to Instagram Stories on Tuesday. 

The infection caused Perry to miss making her scheduled CMLL debut on Friday. She was to manage Andrade El Idolo in his first match back for the promotion since 2015.