CJ Perry has revealed that Vince McMahon personally wrote every word of her promos during her decade-long run as Lana in WWE, using her character as a “puppet” for political commentary.
Speaking on TMZ’s Inside The Ring, Perry pulled back the curtain on McMahon’s hands-on approach to her controversial Russian character.
Vince did micromanage when I was there for that 10 years. Vince micromanaged all the promo. So, John Cena could change it. Bray Wyatt could do his own thing and he could approve. Paul Heyman, but no, Vince wrote my promos,” Perry revealed.
Perry explained that McMahon used her character to express his own political views during the Obama administration era.
I think he was using me as his puppet to talk about America because once Trump became president, he sat me and Mero down. He’s like, ‘Okay, no more politics.’ He was like, ‘It’s too polarizing and controversial,'” Perry said.
The former WWE star also disclosed McMahon’s ambitious plans for her character, including hopes of bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to a WWE event.
He wanted Vladimir Putin to come to a show. Like hey sky’s the limit you know. He’s like I hope he’s going to come to a show,” Perry shared.
Perry also recalled how TMZ breaking her engagement to Rusev led to immediate creative changes. McMahon pulled the plug on her storyline with Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler after the news went public.
“TMZ broke that we were engaged, Vince said that TMZ is global CNN news. We’re going to have to cut the story line with you and Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler and Lana,” Perry recounted.
Despite the intense creative control, Perry noted that Triple H’s current regime offers talent more creative freedom compared to McMahon’s era.
