Highlights
- Miro & CJ Perry, iconic wrestling couple, separate amicably after 7 years - no drama, just growing apart.
- Controversial on-screen Russian heel gimmick led Rusev & Lana to popularity, struggles, and redemption in WWE.
- Despite end of marriage, CJ Perry and Miro aim to remain friends and possible business partners in AEW.
In a shocking turn of events that was revealed by TMZ on Monday, CJ Perry and Miro have officially ended their marriage after seven years. The two have been linked with each other since their early days in WWE as part of the NXT brand, up until the present day, competing for AEW. Together, the two shared a unique bond that was fun to watch unfold on live television. We saw their love flourish while experiencing the typical marital spats and issues that ordinary people go through on a daily basis. This is their story and a retrospective on their relationship to the bittersweet end.
Facts & Stats | Miro | CJ Perry |
|---|---|---|
Height: | 6'0" | 5'7" |
Weight: | 304lbs | N/A |
Billed From: | Bulgaria (Russia) | Moscow, Russia |
Debut: | November 2008 | November 2008 |
Age: | 38 | 38 |
Finisher: | The Accolade | The Accolade |
CJ Perry and Miro Have Announced Their Marriage Is Over
CJ Perry (Lana) has confirmed that she and Miro (Rusev) have ended their marriage.The On-Screen Relationship Of Rusev & Lana Began During Their Run On NXT
Rusev & Lana Played Heels In WWE
Rusev (Miro) began his career in NXT as a singles star following a successful stint with FCW that nearly ended his career early when he had suffered a broken neck. Rusev aligned himself with Lana (CJ Perry) and assigned her as his social ambassador or valet. The duo had moderate success in NXT before both Lana and Rusev were called up to the WWE main roster, making their debut during the 2014 WWE Royal Rumble.
Both characters began a controversial yet successful heel run, portraying themselves as heroes from Russia and denouncing the United States of America, offering their support for the President of Russia, Vladamir Putin. This was a controversial angle that had to be cleared up behind the scenes as it generated too much heat, and therefore, their gimmick was toned down. In November 2014, Rusev captured the WWE United States Championship from Sheamus on an episode of Monday Night Raw. He held on to the title for 131 days, dropping the title to John Cena at WrestleMania 31 following a miscommunication from Lana.
The Dolph Ziggler, Lana & Rusev Love Triangle: How WWE Completely Ruined One Of Their Hottest Heels With One Storyline
Rusev was always popular with WWE fans, but a storyline involving Lana and Dolph Ziggler made him look extremely weak.The On-Screen Problems For Lana & Rusev Began Following WrestleMania 31
Rusev & Lana Got Married In Real Life
Rusev's career began a downward spiral as he suffered more losses than wins, concluding with Rusev breaking his ankle. Rusev and Lana split up during this time following the frustrations placed on the two, with Rusev blaming Lana for his career downturn. Lana eventually moved on with Dolph Ziggler, while Rusev paired himself up with Summer Rae.
The storyline continued through October 2016, when the news broke that (in real life) Lana and Rusev were engaged to be married. In storyline, however, Summer Rae proposed to Rusev, with Rusev declining the proposal until he won another championship title. Following the "real life news", Rae broke up with Rusev immediately. A month later, Lana returned to WWE from hiatus and reunited on-screen with Rusev.
Fast-forward to 2018 and the beginning of "Rusev Day", a babyface gimmick that was generated to help revitalized the damaged career of Rusev. This gimmick turned Rusev and Lana babyface as a couple for the first time. Their relationship began to travel down more rocky roads, beginning with an alleged relationship between Lana and Aiden English that was proven to be false.
Rusev & Lana 9 Other WWE Couples That Split Up On Screen
WWE has been home to plenty of real life couples who had to go through some on-screen break ups for the world to see.Rusev & Lana Were Both Released By WWE
Miro & CJ Perry Briefly Ended Up In AEW Together
By 2020, Rusev returned to WWE following a sabbatical from the company. In storyline, Lana began a relationship with Bobby Lashley behind his back. She claimed that Rusev was a controlling and vindictive sex addict. Liv Morgan became involved in the story as a mutual friend of the two, but chose to side with Rusev. The angle continued until February 2020. As part of the budget cuts by WWE, the company chose to release Rusev from his WWE contract as the COVID-19 pandemic began to run wild throughout the world. Lana remained with the company for another year until her release in June 2021.
Rusev signed with AEW during this time and began his career there as "Miro". Lana (CJ Perry) took some time away from wrestling to focus on other career ventures, but she eventually made her way over to AEW by late 2023, beginning a feud with Miro as she pursued a new client to teach Miro a lesson, after he had "lost his way".
Miro & CJ Perry: How This Wrestling Couple Met & Got Married
Miro and CJ Perry rose to fame in WWE, as Rusev and Lana and have persevered as a popular power couple from the wrestling business.CJ Perry & Miro Announce Their Real Life Separation
The Breakup News Was Confirmed By CJ Perry To TMZ
The news broke on March 11, 2024, from TMZ that both Miro and CJ Perry have announced their separation after over seven years of marriage. This was confirmed to be legit by CJ Perry herself, who commented on the situation with TMZ, clearing the air with the media.
"Miro and I have made the difficult decision to separate after many wonderful years together, and have decided to move on as friends, and hopefully onscreen characters somewhere down the road."
The reason for their split-up had nothing to do with infidelity or any kind of abuse, but is directly linked to the former couple growing apart and distant from each other. Both have chosen to move on with life as friends and apparently business partners in the future with AEW. The split was official in Winter 2023, as Miro moved back to his home country of Bulgaria. Both Perry and Miro have yet to file for divorce at this time.
