Bold truth: mental health battles don’t pause for the spotlight, even when a high-profile WWE moment is on the line. CJ Perry, known to fans as Lana, recently shared a gut-checking look at her struggles after departing WWE, including details about ADHD, severe anxiety, and a difficult post-release period. Her revelations come as she signs a WWE Legends deal—an arrangement that coincides with Rusev’s (Miro) return to WWE—and raise important questions about resilience, career pivots, and the ongoing conversation around mental health in professional wrestling.
When Rusev and Lana burst onto WWE television in 2014, they quickly rose to prominence. Rusev rode a long undefeated streak and captured the United States Championship, with a memorable moment at WrestleMania 31 where their tank entrance became one of the event’s enduring visuals. Yet by 2019, momentum faltered after a controversial storyline, and in 2020 Rusev left WWE to pursue new opportunities as Miro in AEW. Lana remained with WWE briefly longer before her 2021 release, billed officially as a budget-cut decision.
In a candid discussion with Chris Van Vliet, Perry described how the firing acted as a trigger for a deeper, more chaotic period in her life. She explained that the shock of losing her dream job—she spent years feeling closely connected to the company and its people—amplified existing struggles with ADHD and anxiety. Perry cited a turning point after hearing a public discussion about anxiety on a podcast, recognizing elements of her own experiences in the conversation and realizing how much anxiety had strained her relationships, including her marriage.
During 2020, Lana teamed with Nia Jax, then formed a partnership with Naomi in 2021 before her release in May of that year. By contrast, Rusev had found a new push as Miro in AEW, highlighting how two career paths can diverge even when intertwined off-screen. Perry described WWE as a so-called “perfect storm” for her: constant travel and performance created a dopamine-driven cycle of stimulation, which, when suddenly removed, left her searching for happiness in unhealthy ways—sometimes leaning on those closest to her, including Miro, for emotional fulfillment.
Her message is clear: true happiness starts from within. Perry recounted a serious health episode in 2023—MRSA infection linked to finger surgery—that underscored how chronic stress and anxiety can manifest physically. The experience reinforced the importance of prioritizing mental and emotional health as foundational to long-term well-being, beyond any single career or stage.
The Legends deal Perry has signed signals a potential return to WWE, though she acknowledges the mixed reactions from fans. She described the response to the announcement as controversial, with some fans voicing skepticism about granting a legend contract to Lana versus other legendary figures, while others defended her. Perry emphasized that WWE’s contract framework classifies such deals as full WWE superstar status, and she found the moment emotional and validating—a contrast to the prior uncertainty she felt after her release.
With Rusev back on WWE television since April, the possibility of Lana returning to the ring alongside him feels plausible to many observers. The pairing of the two in future Raw or SmackDown segments remains a topic of speculation, reflecting how personal and professional comebacks in wrestling often intertwine.
Sources: coverage and transcriptions referenced from Fightful and Chris Van Vliet’s interview.
If this topic resonates, share your thoughts: How should WWE and other wrestling promotions balance fan expectations with genuine support for performers’ mental health? Do you think a Legends contract should be viewed differently from a full-time active roster deal when it comes to legacy and potential ring returns?
