Should WWE Have Lana Reveal She Is American?

(Photo Credit: KayfabeKickout.com)

WWE’s Chairman of the Board Vincent Kennedy McMahon is high on Lana. The current plan is to have Lana reveal that she is actually American and then transform her from Rusev’s manager to a top diva on the main roster.

Over the course of the past couple of months, WWE has teased a potential split between Lana and Rusev.

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The latest piece of evidence that would suggest a split is imminent is what transpired at Extreme Rules. After the fans were chanting Lana’s name and she acknowledged those chants, Rusev grew frustrated with his manager and banished her from ringside.

Later that night, Rusev was seen berating Lana backstage and forced her to go into The Authority’s office and persuade them that the Bulgarian Brute get one more opportunity at defeating John Cena for the United States championship. Lana’s persuasive skills worked as The Authority granted Rusev a rematch as he will face John Cena in an “I Quit Match” at WWE Payback.

Though, that hasn’t alleviated the tension between Lana and Rusev. On Monday, Lana once again thanked the fans for chanting her name and alluded to some frustration with Rusev.

The end game in all of this is Lana turning on Rusev.

The turn could happen at WWE Payback if Lana costs Rusev his match against Cena.

The turn, however, for Lana is only the first part in a bigger plan for her character.

In a major push that is being orchestrated by Vince McMahon, part of Lana’s turn on Rusev will include her revealing that she is actually an American. From there, the plan is make Lana a top diva on the WWE roster. In order to accomplish that, there has been an idea floating around that Lana will have name change to go along with her new character. Lana, whose real name is Catherine Jo Perry, could begin using the name “CJ”. The thinking behind that is that “CJ” will make fans, especially male fans, think of a hot blonde. “CJ” was the name of Pamela Anderson’s character in the hit-TV series “Baywatch.”

There are several potential drawbacks to the plan that was first reported by The Wrestling Observer.

The biggest drawback is that there still is an uncertainty over whether or not Lana can perform in the ring. Lana has taken very few bumps in her time working with Rusev and that has presented an unknown over whether or not she can perform in the ring. There is no doubt that Lana has the microphone skills, but in-ring skills will be needed if WWE plans on pushing her as a top diva; especially with Paige on the main roster and Charlotte and Sasha Banks not far behind.

The second drawback is the reaction to Lana’s reveal that she is American. If WWE is going to go ahead and make that announcement, it needs to be done so carefully. Carefully in the sense that it needs to come at the right time and at the right place.

That would be where the turn at WWE Payback comes into play. At some point during the match, Lana needs to interfere and cost Rusev the match. But the interference can’t be sold as Lana working with Cena. Instead, it needs to be sold as Lana’s frustrations with Rusev boiling over to the point where the only story being told is her finally getting over on the former United States champion.

After the match, Lana will need to cut a promo. In that promo, Lana will explain why she was working with Rusev and then the hammer will drop when she reveals that she is American.

This will undoubtedly lead to a feud of some sort between Lana and Rusev. During the feud, Lana’s in-ring skills will be introduced. Of course, Lana will not be going toe-to-toe with Rusev but I would expect some type of mixed-tag type of feud. Lana will need to be paired with a popular face to further sell her character change.

Once Lana moves past Rusev and her in-ring skills are introduced, she then will focus on the diva’s division and climb the ranks to the top.

Lana’s character change is a risk, but given her popularity, it is a change that could work out greatly for WWE.

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