CJ Perry who we used to know as Lana in WWE, comes with a total package. There was a time when she was aspiring to be a Hollywood movie star. For sure, she wasn’t hoping to be a professional wrestler back then but things took a drastic change for her after signing with the WWE.
Under the ring name of Lana, she was paired with real-life husband Miro, formerly known as Rusev, both on NXT and on the main roster. The two wanted to be successful in the company for years to follow. However a year apart, the husband-wife duo became victims of budget cuts and got released from their contracts.
WWE Made $40 Million Via Goldberg Vs. The Fiend At Super ShowDown
Speaking to Liam Stewart of ITR Wrestling, Lana recently discussed her release from the WWE and a potential return to wrestling which she expects to be iconic. She always used to be a devotee to the WWE who never backed down from challenges produced by Vince McMahon. In that way, she mentioned herself to be a ‘company girl,’
“In WWE, I was always a company girl. Whatever Vince wanted, whatever the company wanted. At the end of the day, and maybe this is because I came from acting and where, at the end of the day, you’re an actor and it’s your job to figure out whatever story, plot, even if it doesn’t make sense to you, it’s your job to make it make sense.”
Ronda Rousey Wants To Be A Great Villain Like WWE Legend
Lana pulled numbers for WWE with controversial storylines
On that note, we should mention that Lana was featured in at least two non-PG romantic storylines on WWE TV despite the modern PG era of the company. Despite her real-life status with Rusev, the former Superstar had to do make-out sessions with the likes of Bobby Lashley and Dolph Ziggler which, in turn, brought a lot of backlash toward her.
But in the end, Lana felt successful since she was successful in entertaining the fans and thereby stealing the spotlight,
“I’ve been dragged through the mud on the internet for stories that I didn’t write. I was just trying to grab the brass ring. Many times, I did. The stuff with Bobby Lashley, Dolph (Ziggler), Miro, the numbers don’t lie. I know people like scandal, so maybe it’s that as well.” (quotes courtesy Fightful)
Lana also noted that a dance-off segment with Naomi had 10 million views while her match with Charlotte Flair also has incredible numbers on WWE’s official YouTube page. She did have the power to pop up those numbers and that’s why WWE renewed her lucrative contract in 2019. Ultimately, things didn’t pay off as the company had to go through budget cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
