Ex-WWE Star Returning To Pro Wrestling After 2-Year Break
An ex-WWE star is planning to make their return to pro wrestling after a two-year absence. The star in question is CJ Perry, aka Lana.
Perry debuted in WWE in 2013 as Lana, the on-screen wife and manager of Rusev. She later transitioned into a more active in-ring role.
She wrestled regularly on Raw and SmackDown, was part of storylines with stars like Rusev, Bobby Lashley, and Liv Morgan.
Perry was released by WWE in June 2021, after which she stepped back from full-time wrestling and focused on acting, dancing, and personal projects.
She made her return to wrestling at AEW All Out 2023 under her real name. Her AEW run culminated at Worlds End 2023, her final appearance in AEW, after which she quietly left the company and did not return.
In April 2025, WWE announced that Perry had re-signed under a “Legends” contract, but did not return as an active in-ring competitor.
WWE Legend CJ Perry Ready To Make Her Wrestling Return
During a recent interview with Inside the Ring, CJ Perry announced she is actively returning to the wrestling industry and will make her comeback on the independent circuit.
She revealed that she’ll return as a manager and look for “next super athlete.” While she wants to return in a non-wrestling role, she is also ready to throw some hands if the situation calls for it.
So, I’m making an announcement—okay—that I will be returning to professional wrestling, and I’m going to be hitting the indie scene. Definitely on the mic and managing—one hundred percent. 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.
I’m going to start going to wrestling events, and I’m going to start searching for the next super athlete. I’m going to make rounds on the indies, looking for the next super athlete. 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.