Perry parlayed the exposure into a modelling career, appearing in photoshoots in publications such as the RIDGID Tool Calendar and working as a spokesmodel for the energy drinks Matrix and Red Bull.[7] Upon graduating from FSU, she relocated to Los Angeles with the aim of working in show business.[7]
Music and acting career
In 2009, Perry joined No Means Yes, a girl group signed to Ne-Yo's record label comprising Perry (billed as "CJ"), Kat, Shea, and Tanu. The group released one single, "Would You Like That", and recorded two others ("7 Years Bad Luck" and "Burn Rubber") before disbanding in 2010.[7][8] Perry later stated:
A girlfriend of mine in college referred me to the man that was putting the group together. I honestly was so scared to sing and I didn't even know a song to sing at the audition so I sang "Jesus Loves Me". I remember them saying "we can work with her tone because she has the right look and she is a model that break dances". I am so thankful to this day for that experience because I do not think I would have ever gotten the role in Pitch Perfect if I hadn't overcome my fear to open my mouth and sing.[7]
Perry (as Lana) (left) celebrating a win along Rusev at a Raw event in April 2014
In June 2013, Perry revealed that she had been signed to WWE and was sent to their developmental branchNXT.[15] She debuted on the October 23, 2013, episode of NXT, under the ring name "Lana", scouting Alexander Rusev.[6] On the November 6 episode of NXT, Lana became Rusev's "social ambassador", using a Russian accent and developing a character who majored in Foreign Affairs and Business and Social Media Marketing in college.[16] Lana made her main roster debut on the January 31 episode of SmackDown, where she and Rusev in the following weeks appeared in a series of self-promotional videos and speeches.[17][18][19] In early May, Lana began dedicating Rusev's matches to her "hero", President of RussiaVladimir Putin, as well as adopting an anti-American, Russophilicgimmick.[20][21]
Lana made some controversial comments during an in-ring promo prior to Rusev's match at Battleground, blaming the United States for current world events and praising Putin. Although she did not directly mention it, some media outlets said Lana was making reference to the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which happened three days before Battleground, to help build heat for Rusev in his feud against Jack Swagger.[22][23] A representative of WWE later told TMZ that the segment was not specifically about the Malaysia Airlines crash, noting that the Rusev-Lana storyline "has been a part of WWE programming for more than three months. WWE apologizes to anyone who misunderstood last night's segment and was offended".[24]
Following the November 3 episode of Raw, Rusev defeated Sheamus on WWE Network to capture the United States Championship.[25] At WrestleMania 31, Rusev lost the title to Cena after Rusev accidentally crashed into Lana, knocking her off the ring apron.[26] On May 17, at Payback, Cena defeated Rusev in an "I Quit" match after Lana quit on Rusev's behalf.[27] The following night on Raw, Lana justified her actions by explaining that Rusev said he quit in Bulgarian, only for him to harshly dismiss her; later that night, Lana kissed Dolph Ziggler, turning her face (i.e., changing sides) and officially ending their association.[28] After Ziggler being injured by Rusev,[29] he went to return on the August 17 episode of Raw, aiding Lana during a confrontation with Rusev and Summer Rae.[30] Rae went on to "seduce" Ziggler in order to end his relationship with Lana,[31][32] but the storyline ended quietly, after WWE announced that Lana had injured her wrist while training.[33] On October 11, TMZ reported that Lana had gotten engaged to Rusev,[34] which Lana confirmed.[35] Lana made her return, once again as a villainess, on the November 30 episode of Raw, where she and Rusev referenced their engagement.
On the April 25, 2016, episode of Raw, Lana returned to managing Rusev,[36] After being drafted to Raw as part of the 2016 WWE draft which took place on July 19,[37][38] Lana made her first appearance for the brand on August 1, where she accompanied Rusev.[39] On August 8, Rusev's and Lana's wedding celebration was usurped by Roman Reigns,[40] and one week later on the August 15 episode of Raw, Rusev competed in a match for Lana's honor against Reigns but lost.[41] In early 2017, Rusev suffered a legitimate shoulder injury, taking them off television.
Early matches (2016–2017)
Perry, as Lana (far back), along with fellow Team B.A.D. & Blonde members, walking to the ring before their match at the WrestleMania 32 event in April 2016
On the February 29, 2016, episode of Raw, Lana confronted Brie Bella during a backstage segment, arguing that Bella's fans only supported her out of pity for having a "bad husband",[42] On the March 14 episode of Raw, she distracted Brie during a tag team match against Team B.A.D. (Naomi and Tamina), causing her to lose, and aligned herself with Team BAD.[43] On the March 22 episode of Main Event, she brought the returning Emma and Summer Rae to her guild.[44] As a result, Lana faced off Bella in a tag team match at the WrestleMania 32 pre-show, in what would be Lana's in-ring debut, which her team (dubbed Team B.A.D. & Blonde) lost.[45][46]
On the September 30, 2019, episode of Raw, Lana started a romantic storyline where she started a relationship with Bobby Lashley, kissing him in front of Rusev.[58] However, the storyline was dropped after Rusev was legitimately released from his WWE contract. Lana then began a feud with MVP, after he tried to gain Lashley as an ally.[citation needed] After Backlash, where Lashley was unsuccessful in capturing the WWE Championship due to an altercation between MVP and Lana at ringside, Lashley chose to stay with MVP instead of Lana.[59] Since September, Lana worked with Nia Jax, where Jax performed a Samoan drop on Lana through the commentator's table.[60] That would become a recurring theme, as Jax would Samoan drop Lana through the table on a weekly basis during Raw.[citation needed][61] On November 22, at Survivor Series, Lana participated in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match as part of team Raw.[62] During the match, Lana was told by her teammates to stand on the ring steps and not tag in again.[62] At the end of the match, Jax and Bianca Belair from team SmackDown were counted out, leaving Lana the sole survivor thus winning the match for team Raw.
Perry debuted in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at its All Out pay-per-view on September 3, 2023, attempting to save her husband, Miro, from a post-match attack from Powerhouse Hobbs by hitting Hobbs with a chair.[68] On the September 23 episode of AEW Collision, Perry (now known as "CJ") gave an interview with Lexy Nair in which she stated that Miro had "lost his way" and that she would be managing other clients.[2] On the October 14 episode of Collision, Miro attacked Action Andretti after Andretti expressed an interest in being managed by CJ.[69] In November 2023, CJ began managing Andrade El Idolo,[70] leading to a match between Andrade and Miro at Worlds End the following month, where Miro defeated Andrade after CJ turned on Andrade.[71][72] This would be her last appearance for AEW as on July 12, 2024, CJ revealed that she was no longer with the company.[73]
In 2016, it was announced that Perry would be featured as a main cast member for the sixth season of Total Divas.[78] Perry joined the cast of VH1's reboot of The Surreal Life in 2021.[79]
Perry once dated actor and former American football player Isaiah Mustafa.[80] She married Bulgarian professional wrestler Miroslav Barnyashev (better known by his ring names "Rusev" and "Miro") on July 29, 2016.[81] They separated in winter 2023.[82]
In December 2023, Perry was hospitalized with an unknown infection resulting from a splinter that started in her left finger and travelled up her arm; she was released from the hospital later that month after undergoing surgery.[83]
^ abJames, Justin (November 1, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 10/30". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013. Lefort comes into the ring and Rusev knocks him to the mat with a belly splash for no obvious reason. [Rusev] goes to the back without Lefort.
^James, Justin (November 21, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Report 11/20". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013. The Mysterious Blonde announces Alexander Rusev. Apparently, she is "Lana" his social ambassador.
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