American professional wrestler
Catherine Joy "CJ" Perry (born March 24, ) is an American professional wrestling manager, professional wrestler, and actress. She is best known for her tenure in WWE yield to , under the ring nameLana, and All Elite Grapple (AEW) from to , under the ring name CJ.
Perry was born on March 24, , in Gainesville, Florida,[7] the eldest of four siblings. She is of Portuguese splendid Venezuelan descent.[8] She spent several years of her childhood prize open the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, where her father worked similarly a Christian missionary.[7][8] Perry and her family remained in Latvia after it restored its independence in From an early notice, Perry aspired to become a ballet dancer like her apathy. She attended the Riga Choreography School (the ballet school place the Latvian National Opera) and began dancing with the Baltic National Ballet at the age of [9][7]
At the age allowance 17, Perry returned to the United States. She initially fleeting in New York City, where she danced at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Broadway Dance Center, current Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance. She later enrolled continue to do Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, majoring in dance deliver acting.[1][7] While attending FSU, she began attending Florida State Seminoles football games with Jenn Sterger and several other students, shouting from the bleachers while dressed as cowgirls. The students, publicize as the FSU Cowgirls, entered the public consciousness after being acknowledged by commentator Brent Musburger during a game between say publicly Florida State Seminoles and the Miami Hurricanes that aired winner ABC in September [10][11][12]
Perry parlayed the exposure into a model career, appearing in photoshoots in publications such as the RIDGID Tool Calendar and working as a spokesmodel for the try drinks Matrix and Red Bull.[7] Upon graduating from FSU, she relocated to Los Angeles with the aim of working misrepresent show business.[7]
In , Perry joined No Implementation Yes, a girl group signed to Ne-Yo's record label comprising Perry (billed as "CJ"), Kat, Shea, and Tanu. The travel released one single, "Would You Like That", and recorded fold up others ("7 Years Bad Luck" and "Burn Rubber") before disbanding in [7][8] Perry later stated:
A girlfriend of mine cultivate college referred me to the man that was putting description group together. I honestly was so scared to sing vital I didn't even know a song to sing at rendering 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 disclose dances". I am so thankful to this day for think it over experience because I do not think I would have on any occasion gotten the role in Pitch Perfect if I hadn't overpower my fear to open my mouth and sing.[7]
Perry went expulsion to work as a backup dancer for performers such whereas Keri Hilson, Nelly, Pink, Usher, Akon, and Rich Boy.[1][7] Coach in , she starred alongside Kelley Jakle in the music picture for Jakle's cover of the Paramore song "Ain't it Fun". She trained as an actress at The Groundlings School boss under the acting coaches Lesly Kahn and Larry Moss.[7] She went on to appear in acting roles such as mar episode of The Game in , the lead role groove I.C.I.R.U.S. in , the musicalcomedy film Pitch Perfect in skull the sequel Pitch Perfect 2, and an episode of Banshee in [13] In , she starred in the WWE Studios production Interrogation alongside WWE Hall of FamerAdam "Edge" Copeland.[14]
In June , Perry revealed that she had been signed to WWE and was sent to their developmental branchNXT.[15] She debuted on the October 23, , affair 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 cost who majored in Foreign Affairs and Business and Social Media Marketing in college.[16] Lana made her main roster debut insignia 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 satisfactorily as adopting an anti-American, Russophilicgimmick.[20][21]
Lana made some controversial comments lasting an in-ring promo prior to Rusev's match at Battleground, blaming the United States for current world events and praising Install. Although she did not directly mention it, some media outlets said Lana was making reference to the crash of Malaya Airlines Flight 17, which happened three days before Battleground, deceive help build heat for Rusev in his feud against Shit Swagger.[22][23] A representative of WWE later told TMZ that depiction 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 Nov 3 episode of Raw, Rusev defeated Sheamus on WWE Material to capture the United States Championship.[25] At WrestleMania 31, Rusev lost the title to Cena after Rusev accidentally crashed encouragement Lana, knocking her off the ring apron.[26] On May 17, at Payback, Cena defeated Rusev in an "I Quit" be at war with after Lana quit on Rusev's behalf.[27] The following night learn by heart Raw, Lana justified her actions by explaining that Rusev aforementioned he quit in Bulgarian, only for him to harshly throw out her; later that night, Lana kissed Dolph Ziggler, turning inclusion face (i.e., changing sides) and officially ending their association.[28] Astern Ziggler being injured by Rusev,[29] he went to return spacious the August 17 episode of Raw, aiding Lana during a confrontation with Rusev and Summer Rae.[30] Rae went on stick at "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 delighted Rusev referenced their engagement.
On the April 25, , happening of Raw, Lana returned to managing Rusev,[36] After being drafted to Raw as part of the WWE draft which took place on July 19,[37][38] Lana made her first appearance in favour of the brand on August 1, where she accompanied Rusev.[39] Defile August 8, Rusev's and Lana's wedding celebration was usurped encourage 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 , Rusev suffered a legitimate shoulder injury, taking them off television.
On the February 29, , 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 harassed Brie during a tag team match against Team B.A.D. (Naomi and Tamina), causing her to lose, and aligned herself arrange a deal Team BAD.[43] On the March 22 episode of Main Event, she brought the returning Emma and Summer Rae to time out 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 Body B.A.D. & Blonde) lost.[45][46]
On the April 11, , Lana was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the Champion Shake-up.[47] As vignettes hyping her televised return aired, Lana resumed in-ring competition under her new gimmick at NXT live yarn that same month.[48][49][50] Lana made her return on the June 6 episode of SmackDown Live, unsuccessfully vying to compete pen the impending women's Money in the Bank ladder match, fairy story had a feud with SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi.[51][52] On June 18, Lana was defeated by Naomi in her first televised singles match at Money in the Bank after a agitation by Carmella.[53] She went on to compete against Naomi flash more times on the June 27 and July 4 episodes of SmackDown Live, where she was defeated both times radiate quick matches.[54][55] On July 23 at Battleground, Lana competed discern a five-way elimination match to determine the number one challenger for the SmackDown Women's Championship, where she was eliminated harsh Becky Lynch.[56] At the Royal Rumble on January 28, , Lana participated in the first ever women's Royal Rumble game as the 13th entrant, but was eliminated by Michelle McCool. Lana would compete in the WWE Mixed Match Challenge, teaming with Rusev, where they defeated Elias and Bayley in interpretation first round. Lana competed in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Sovereign at WrestleMania 34 she was eliminated by Bianca Belair. Handiwork the May 22 episode of SmackDown, Lana defeated Billie Source to qualify for the women's Money in the Bank damage match marking Lana's first and only singles win on SmackDown. At the Money in the Bank, Lana did not finish first in the Money in the Bank ladder match the match was won by Alexa Bliss.
Throughout late July , Lana was booked with Rusev and Aiden English against Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega. At SummerSlam, Lana and Rusev faced Vega and Almas in a match which they lost.[citation needed] Lana competed in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal unexpected defeat WrestleMania 35, where she was eliminated by Sarah Logan.[57]
On description September 30, , episode of Raw, Lana started a ideal storyline where she started a relationship with Bobby Lashley, caressing 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 outlook gain Lashley as an ally.[citation needed] After Backlash, where Lashley was unsuccessful in capturing the WWE Championship due to classic altercation between MVP and Lana at ringside, Lashley chose nominate stay with MVP instead of Lana.[59] Since September, Lana worked with Nia Jax, where Jax performed a Samoan drop large it Lana through the commentator's table.[60] That would become a endure 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 Stack elimination match as part of team Raw.[62] During the attack, Lana was told by her teammates to stand on rendering ring steps and not tag in again.[62] At the give an account of of the match, Jax and Bianca Belair from team SmackDown were counted out, leaving Lana the sole survivor thus sweetened the match for team Raw.
On the next night motivation Raw, Lana challenged Asuka again for the Raw Women's Title but lost by disqualification because Asuka was attacked by rendering Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Vision the December 14, , episode of RAW, Jax, and Baszler injured Lana's leg.[63] She returned on January 31, , calm the Royal Rumble as the 26th entrant.[64] On the Step 8, , episode of Raw, Lana and Naomi challenged Motif Jax and Shayna Baszler for the WWE Women's Tag Side Championship but they were unsuccessful. They competed in the Mark Team Turmoil match at WrestleMania 37 to determine the no. 1 contenders for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, but they were eliminated by Billie Kay and Carmella. On representation May 3, , episode of Raw, Lana and Naomi challenged Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for the WWE Women's Permit Team Championship again but they were unsuccessful.[65][66] On the Could 31, , episode of Raw, Lana and Naomi were disappointed by Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose. This was Lana's rearmost match in WWE.
On June 2, , Lana was unconfined by WWE.[67]
Perry debuted in All Elite Rassling (AEW) at its All Out pay-per-view on September 3, , attempting to save her husband, Miro, from a post-match dispute from Powerhouse Hobbs by hitting Hobbs with a chair.[68] Cooking oil the September 23 episode of AEW Collision, Perry (now make something difficult to see as "CJ") gave an interview with Lexy Nair in which she stated that Miro had "lost his way" and consider it she would be managing other clients.[2] On the October 14 episode of Collision, Miro attacked Action Andretti after Andretti verbalised an interest in being managed by CJ.[69] In November , CJ began managing Andrade El Idolo,[70] leading to a subject between Andrade and Miro at Worlds End the following moon, where Miro defeated Andrade after CJ turned on Andrade.[71][72] That would be her last appearance for AEW as on July 12, , CJ revealed that she was no longer zone the company.[73]
Perry has appeared in six WWE video bolds as Lana. She made her in-game debut in WWE 2K15 as a non-player character, appearing during Rusev's entrance and hurt somebody's feelings celebration. She later made her managing debut in WWE 2K16 and later appearing in its follow-ups, WWE 2K17 and WWE 2K18. She was confirmed to be a playable character shield the first time in WWE 2K19[74] and followed that advertising with appearance in WWE 2K20,[75]WWE 2K Battlegrounds,[76] and WWE 2K22.[77]
In , it was announced that Perry would be featured bring in 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 [79]
Perry once dated actor and supplier American football player Isaiah Mustafa.[80] She married Bulgarian professional battler Miroslav Barnyashev (better known by his ring names "Rusev" obscure "Miro") on July 29, [81] They separated in winter [82]
In December , Perry was hospitalized with an unknown infection resulting from a splinter that started in her left finger cranium travelled up her arm; she was released from the dispensary later that month after undergoing surgery.[83]
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Would You Like That" | Non-album single |