WWE Stars CJ Perry and Rusev Expecting Their First Child After IVF Journey (Image via WWE)
Former WWE stars CJ Perry, popularly known as Lana, and her husband Rusev are expecting their first child together after an emotional in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey. The couple’s pregnancy announcement marks a major milestone in their personal lives after they reconciled to start a family.
Perry and Rusev got engaged in 2016. It is to be noted that the couple got married on July 29, 2016, sharing much of their relationship both on television and through social media. This did not last long, as the couple reconciled after renewing their wedding vows in a private Los Angeles church ceremony in early 2025. Former WWE star and wrestling couple CJ Perry and Rusev, also known as Lana and Miro, are planning to welcome their first child after their marriage in 2016. Perry first revealed that they were undergoing the treatment during an appearance on Daria & Toni Unwrapped in November 2025. Speaking to People, Perry revealed that she’s pregnant with a baby boy and is currently due on April 28, 2027. Reflecting on her IVF journey, she shared that the couple started IVF back in 2025 before finally reaching the embryo-transfer stage this past August. Perry said their embryo transfer took place on August 10, and then came nine very long days before they could even take the first pregnancy test. “We started IVF in 2025, and on August 10, 2026, we had our embryo transfer. We had to wait nine days for our first pregnancy test on August 19, followed by another on August 21 to confirm the pregnancy. Rusev, who returned to WWE in April 2025 after his stint with AEW, has also spoken publicly about the couple’s plans to become parents. In February 2026, he discussed their IVF journey during an appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Insight podcast and shared some of his ideas for their future children’s names as well, dropping hints to his fans that the couple was planning to start a family soon.
Before their engagement, the two had been paired on screen but not romantically. In fact, at the time of the engagement, they had actually been featured as a team on-screen. However, they separated without filing for a divorce. It’s been such a journey. We are so so grateful. We were so nervous. She even added, those days were very tough for both of them. Those days felt like the longest of our lives! There was a lot of surrendering, letting go, and trusting God through the uncertainty,” Perry added. She even stated that hearing their son’s heartbeat for the first time really drove home what they had been through to get there. “The first time we heard his heartbeat, I couldn’t stop giggling. I was so full of gratitude and joy. We’ve been blessed with such a miracle. The announcement reflects their deeply personal journey as a couple who struggled and faced several challenges. It also highlights a new chapter beyond their professional wrestling careers as they prepare to welcome their first child together. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
The couple has been candid about their fertility journey, with both stars previously discussing the challenges and hopes associated with IVF.CJ Perry also took to her Instagram account to share the news with their fans, stating, “We are pregnant!