Rusev Discusses Dating Life Before Getting Back Together With CJ Perry (Lana)

WWE Superstar Rusev has revealed that he went on a couple of dates with other women before eventually reuniting with CJ Perry, formerly known as Lana. The couple got married on July 29, 2016.

After several years of marriage, the couple was reported to have separated in winter 2023. However, Perry and Rusev reconciled and renewed their wedding vows in 2024.

In an appearance on the Identity Crisis podcast hosted by CJ Perry, Rusev candidly discussed his dating life after he and Perry took time apart to grow individually. He shared that during this break, he went on a few dates to see if he could hold a conversation with a woman who wasn’t CJ (via WrestleTalk).

“I went on a few dates. I just wanted some conversations. Because with her, I’ve never even talked to a woman, because I’m a respectful husband, I don’t do that kinda stuff. I just wanted to see what kind of conversation I can have with another female. It doesn’t have to be sleeping. You just wanna see a conversation. It was interesting to see the age gap when you go with a 20-year-old, a 30-year-old, or a 40-year-old, what the difference is. I wouldn’t say 20. Two or three (dates) maybe. It’s not even people who I was interested in. I went with a classmate or a friend from back in the day, which I wouldn’t have done if CJ was there. But they happen to be girls, they happen to be friends. They’re not like my girlfriends. I didn’t want to go and have sex with them, I just wanted to have a conversation, that’s all it was.”

As mentioned earlier, the couple has now reconciled. When Rusev returned to WWE in 2025, Perry also signed a Legends Deal with the company on the same day. She has not yet appeared on screen. Meanwhile, Rusev’s last match was at Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1, where he unsuccessfully challenged Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship in a triple threat match also featuring Penta.

Rusev Back ! https://t.co/T4qQaVuyK8@wwe @ToBeMiro @DEADLINE pic.twitter.com/pDPaIuFb4R

— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) April 22, 2025