Deonna Purrazzo established herself as one of the top female wrestlers in the world while working for Impact Wrestling between 2020 and 2023. Therefore, once she was a free agent, Tony Khan wasted little time in signing her to AEW and has had her share the ring with stars like Toni Storm and Thunder Rosa.
However, her stock fell considerably after she worked a match in December 2024 against La Catalina on a CMLL show that was jeered by fans and heavily criticized by lucha libre lovers. And now, after a fan mentioned this bout on X, Purrazzo has publicly acknowledged that she wasn’t in-ring shape, adding, “I’ve been punished enough.” Precisely what she means by the punishment comment is open to interpretation, although she hasn’t won a match on AEW television since.
31-year-old Purrazzo previously looked destined for the top after signing with WWE in 2018 and becoming part of NXT. Yet, due to budget cuts and management at the time not feeling she was ready for television, she was released just two years later. Still, she obviously didn’t let this discourage her, and she has now proven that there is life after WWE if you’re prepared to put in the work.
