CJ Perry recently appeared on the TMZ Inside The Ring podcast, where she shared major news regarding her future in professional wrestling and reflected on her recent experiences in the industry.
During her appearance, CJ Perry officially revealed that she is returning to the wrestling world, with a specific focus on the independent circuit. “I’m saving this exclusive for this podcast… I’m making an announcement that I will be returning back to professional wrestling, and I’m going to be hitting the indie scene,” Perry shared. She clarified that while her primary goal is managing and mic work, she is prepared for physical confrontation if necessary. “My goal is not to start wrestling, but if someone has an issue with me and I need to resolve some conflict in the ring, you better believe I’m gonna hit the ready,” she added.
Perry also discussed her inspiration for this new chapter, citing Paul Heyman as her primary influence. “I want to be so sharp. I want to be so iconic. Paul Heyman is my favorite manager of all time. I’m always studying him and watching him,” Perry noted. She revealed that she is enrolling in stand-up comedy classes to sharpen her verbal skills and will begin traveling the country to find “the next super athlete” to manage.
This news comes as Perry continues to build her personal brand outside of major promotions. In late 2025, she officially signed a WWE Legends deal, coinciding with her husband Rusev returning to WWE television in April 2025. Rusev is also launching his own professional wrestling school, “Catch Academy,” which will feature a dedicated children’s department.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit TMZ Inside The Ring with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can watch the full exclusive interview on the TMZ Sports YouTube channel.
