CJ Perry Recounts WWE Not Allowing Her To Be Out Of Character During Media Appearances

CJ Perry stated that some people still believe she’s Russian.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp spoke to C.J. Perry, a.k.a. Lana, for a new interview. Perry is promoting her book titled ‘Bulletproof Angel.’

During their chat, Perry’s time in WWE was discussed. She shared that there are people who still believe she has a Russian accent. She feels that shows how impactful the Lana character is.

“People still comment and comments on Instagram, like, ‘I thought she had a Russian accent,’ for years! I started doing Total Divas in 2016 which is when I really was like, this is how I talk, and you saw my family so it was the first time to be like, oh my God, this woman is an American… For years, people would be in comments shook. ‘Wait, we’re confused,’ and even after the Bobby Lashley story and I was talking (in) an American accent there, and then people still would comment it, and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ That just shows you how impactful that character was. It always gave me the giggles. It always was so encouraging.”

Perry went on to add that while she was still with WWE, the company would not allow her to do media appearances out of character.

“Vince (McMahon) and WWE at the time were so protective of my character; I couldn’t do anything out of character. If it was a red carpet, if it was an interview, and so the cool thing is with those parameters, I had so much fun and that’s one of the things I love about WWE is like, when they’re really protecting you and this character and you have to stay in these parameters, there’s so much that can be done.”

Perry has had a run in WWE and All Elite Wrestling. She finished up with AEW in 2024.