3 AEW stars who ended up marrying their managers
AEW is home to some of the greatest wrestling managers of the modern era. From the entertaining Prince Nana to the wicked Don Callis, many great advisors in AEW help their clients get over with the audience. Although they do not directly compete inside the squared circle, these managers add significant value to an individual's onscreen presentation.
Interestingly, pro wrestling has witnessed the rise of several female managers throughout its rich history. Many a time, these scripted relationships end up turning into marriage alliances, which in turn, strengthens the onscreen bond between the wrestler involved and his manager.
Certain names in All Elite Wrestling started as onscreen business partners before they eventually tied the holy knot down the line. In this article, let's look at three AEW stars who ended up marrying their managers.
#3. Miro and CJ Perry married each other in 2016
CJ Perry (fka Lana) and Miro (fka Rusev) have been associated with each other for a long time. The Ravishing Russian was an important part of Miro's onscreen presentation when the latter made his WWE main roster debut in 2014. As Miro embarked on a reign of dominance, Perry stood by his side as his loyal mouthpiece.
After a few years of onscreen back-and-forth, the couple officially got married in July 2016. Miro and CJ Perry were one of the most prominently featured real-life couples on WWE television, as their relationship was the center point in several storylines over the years.
![Visuals from CJ Perry and Miro's wedding ceremony in 2016. [Image credits: WWE Gallery]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/9636f-17206103284794-1920.jpg?w=500)
The duo found themselves in an awkward love triangle storyline with Bobby Lashley in 2019, which is still considered one of the most controversial WWE storylines of all time.
Following her WWE departure, Perry headed over to AEW in 2023, where Miro had already been plying his trade for over three years. Tony Khan immediately put the two spouses in a storyline together, where The Redeemer renounced CJ Perry as his wife.
After defeating Perry's client, Andrade El Idolo, at the Worlds End PPV last year, Miro looked set to reunite with his former manager. However, The Ravishing Russian shockingly announced her split with The Redeemer in March 2024, possibly putting an end to their onscreen alliance as well.
#2. Kip Sabian married his onscreen manager Penelope Ford on AEW Dynamite in 2021
Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford were among the earliest signings in All Elite Wrestling. While the duo were initially featured in some prominent storylines, they soon got lost in the shuffle on the AEW roster.
However, the couple has had a few shining moments in the Jacksonville-based promotion. In February 2021, Sabian officially tied the knot with his beloved manager.
The two stars also participated in a wedding segment on Dynamite, making them the first couple to get married on AEW television. Unfortunately, the segment ended horribly, with Kip Sabian being laid out by Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor in the middle of the ring as a helpless Penelope Ford looked on.
As later revealed by Sabian himself, The Superbad had to rush his real-life marriage ceremony with Ford due to this segment. Despite their forgettable wedding ceremony on Dynamite, Sabian and Ford continue to be a strong couple offscreen.
#1. Dustin Rhodes was managed by his ex-wife, Terri Runnels
During his early days as Goldust in WWE, Dustin Rhodes was in an onscreen alliance with his ex-wife, Terri Runnels, who went by the name Marlena at the time. Her character took inspiration from the famous Hollywood actress, Marlene Dietrich, as she carried a carefree demeanor wherever she went.
The couple's strange yet entertaining alliance led to a huge surge in their popularity. Interestingly, Dustin Rhodes had been married to Terri Runnels since 1993, but it was only in 1996 that they were paired together on television.
Although Runnels had managed other stars in the past, her partnership with her real-life husband was the most memorable of the bunch. The couple eventually went their separate ways in 1999, but they have continued to be good friends after their divorce.