This past April, numerous talents, both in-ring and behind the scenes, were released from their contracts with WWE as a result of implications caused by the ongoing global pandemic. One of those names was Deonna Purrazzo, with ‘The Virtuosa’ being one of only a handful of NXT stars let go. Unlike the majority of her peers, however, Deonna only had a 30-day no-compete clause, as opposed to a 90-day clause, meaning she became the first of the ex-WWE names to arrive in IMPACT Wrestling before eventually being joined by the likes of Eric Young, Heath, and The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson). Because she was the first of the crop to arrive, it meant all of the spotlight was on her, a spotlight she made full use of her by capturing the Knockouts Championship in just her second match with the company, and on a huge platform such as Slammiversary no less.
Last Word on Pro Wrestling recently had the opportunity to chat to Deonna, discussing all things IMPACT Wrestling as she prepares to defend her title against Kylie Rae this Saturday, October 24th, live on pay-per-view for Bound For Glory!
Despite being featured a handful of times on WWE’s ‘main roster’, facing the likes of Asuka and Nia Jax, Purrazzo was released on April 15th. Speaking of her release, Deonna stated that “So, obviously, like all of the employees had gotten kind of a heads up that people would be getting released and fired, and all day I just kind of had this sinking feeling that I would be one of those people”. After being released from her contract, however, ‘The Virtuosa’ didn’t hold back from stating her frustrations with WWE. “I wasn’t shy afterwards about how I felt about my position and where I was. So, there was only like a moment where I was like, crap, I don’t have a job”. Upon speaking with her dad, though, Purrazzo seemed more motivated than ever to make a name for himself, with that love for professional wrestling being reinvigorated as a result of her release.
It didn’t take long for Deonna to land on her feet after being released, though, as she soon made her way to IMPACT Wrestling. Her arrival in the IMPACT Zone came around thanks to the help of Madison Rayne, a former five-time Knockouts Champion in her own right. “Madison Rayne is actually one of my very best friends, and I speak to her quite often throughout the week, if not every day. She kind of already knew how I was feeling, and she knew that if I wasn’t released, I was ready to ask to be released either way. When I finally was, she let me know she was putting the wheels in motion to get me in contact with Scott [D’Amore], and kind of go from there. Madison Rayne really should be accredited for everything I’ve been able to do thus far with IMPACT”.
Longtime fans of Deonna Purrazzo will be aware that this isn’t actually her first time wrestling for IMPACT, as she had previously appeared for the company back in the Total Nonstop Action (TNA) days as part of their 2014 Knockouts Knockdown event. There, she wrestled former Knockouts and Knockouts Tag Team Champion, Brooke, in what was only her eighth professional match. “My trainer, Damian Adams, is actually very good friends with Robbie E, and Rob was with IMPACT at the time. I had trained a little bit with Rob when he had come up to New Jersey, and they had actually brought Simon Diamond in to do a seminar”. Had it not been for this chance meeting, then it’s possible that Purrazzo would never have been featured on the show. “That opportunity came at like a moment’s notice, which I think is a theme to my career. Simon Diamond put Christy Hemme in contact with me to set up flight arrangements and what I would be doing, so that all happened pretty fast”.
Since officially arriving in IMPACT, Purrazzo has been involved in the Knockouts Championship scene, as she challenged then-champion Jordynne Grace for the title at Slammiversary, and eventually won the strap in what many describe as being the pay-per-view’s best match. “Coming back to IMPACT has been full circle, but also working with Jordynne right off the bat has been full circle because we worked together so much prior to me signing with NXT, just on like the New England independent wrestling scene, and a ton for Beyond Wrestling. I think she’s a phenomenal athlete, and she’s so different from so many competitors, especially in IMPACT Wrestling. The fact she was the champion, and I got the opportunity to go for the title straight away, to be able to face her on the pay-per-view, and ultimately make her verbally quit, it was just amazing, and more than I ever could have imagined”.
Additionally, Deonna has also forged an alliance since her arrival, being flanked by fellow IMPACT newcomer, Kimber Lee. “Our women’s division is stacked. It’s full of women who fought for these opportunities on the independent scene prior to coming to IMPACT. Kimber Lee is another of those people where our career paths have kind of linked up, there’s a lot of similarities with the journey we’ve gone through to get to IMPACT. She calls herself ‘The Crown Jewel’, I call her my curator. There’s an inevitable connection between what she does as ‘The Crown Jewel’, and what I do as ‘The Virtuosa’, and so I’m really happy to have someone on my side watching my back”.
As Deonna herself mentioned, the knockouts division is stacked at the moment, with the likes of Taya Valkyrie, Rosemary, Havok, Kiera Hogan, and more creating a buzz for not only themselves, but also for the division as a whole. This year alone, IMPACT management have wasted no time in snapping up talent, as Purrazzo, Lee, Tasha Steelz, Kylie Rae, and Nevaeh have all been officially brought into IMPACT Wrestling. If Deonna had her way, though, there would be a couple of others making their way into the promotion too. “It’s so funny because I get asked this question often, and I feel like you naturally want to go for all of your friends, but all my friends are at other places. There are a few people in that New England indie scene that I would love to see get a chance, like Willow Nightingale, Davienne, and Skylar are just three people off the top of my head that I think could really benefit from an opportunity with IMPACT”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuEUljInQKw&t=1s
Deonna’s next title defence is slated for this weekend’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view, as she defends her Knockouts Championship against Kylie Rae, with ‘Smiley Kylie’ having earned her title opportunity back at Slammiversary by winning a Gauntlet Battle Royal. Despite typically being all smiles, Rae has shown a bit of a vicious side to herself as of late, mainly due to the fact that Deonna broke the arm of her best friend Susie at Victory Road. “Kylie is someone I also met as she was coming up on the independent scene, and I was kind of exploring other opportunities. It’s interesting to see her at this point of her career, and how hard she’s working to be the best athlete she can be, to be the best competitor she can be. There’s no disrespect in her wrestling game, but Kylie Rae and I also have very different mentalities. I think, for me, I prepared for my entire time in IMPACT by getting in the ring, finding ways to lock in the Fujiwara Armbar, and having that always be my game plan, while Kylie has established friendships with people when she doesn’t really know who these people are, and she’s easily manipulated”.
More recently, Deonna Purrazzo was listed at number thirty in the annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated Women’s 100 list, coming in just a few spots below her opponent for this Saturday. “I think that list has so many incredible athletes that I respect and admire, so of course to be ranked among them is an honour. The fact that I’m number thirty was a surprise to me because half of the year, I didn’t really do much. Becoming the Knockouts Champion in my second match with the company weighed heavily, clearly, on the decision-making process”. Despite being ranked, Deonna also made an extremely valuable point that everyone should value themselves, regardless of whether or not they make it onto lists like this one. “As much as I’m appreciative of it, whether I was on it or not, or whether other women I think should be on it or not, I think we need to reevaluate ourselves, and what our personal goals and accomplishments are”.
While Deonna may be the reigning Knockouts Champion, there have also been some rumours floating around that IMPACT Wrestling could be set to bring back the Knockouts Tag Team Championships. The current state of the knockouts doubles division certainly calls for it. As well as Deonna and Kimber Lee, we’ve also got Kylie Rae and Susie, Taya Valkyrie and Rosemary, Havok and Nevaeh, and Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz. Upon being asked if she and Lee would be keen to challenge for the gold, Deonna wasted no time in showing her opinion. “Absolutely! I mean, she’s a crown jewel, she needs a jewel of her own. For me to then be a double champion, there is no better fit for a curator and for ‘The Virtuosa’, so I know that is something I’m very much hoping happens, and I would definitely go for those titles with Kimber Lee”.
To round off the interview, Deonna explained thoroughly exactly what it means to be ‘The Virtuosa’, and why this isn’t just some fancy moniker she’s given herself. “By actual definition, a virtuosa is an individual with outstanding technical ability, and appreciation for artistic excellence. Not only am I a technical savvy wrestler by always having a game plan, and always going for the Armbar, but I’ve also tried to tie in elements of my ethnic background as an Italian. All of my entrance jackets, my last one from Slammiversary was from a Japanese metal band, and some things are more Renaissance-inspired. I’m inspired by arts and culture, and the places I travel to. This is what I’m in college for, so I continue to learn new elements of history every semester, but I’ve just tried to incorporate that in every facet of my presentation as possible”.
Last Word on Pro Wrestling would like to thank Deonna Purrazzo for taking the time to chat, and Simon Rothstein for arranging the call.
Bound For Glory airs LIVE on FITE TV this coming Saturday – October 24th – beginning at 8pm EST. Alternatively, fans in the UK can watch the event via Premier Sports. Alongside Deonna Purrazzo’s defence of the Knockouts Championship opposite Kylie Rae, viewers will also be treated to three additional championship contests, amongst other marquee attractions, with the event being capped off with the much-anticipated World Championship showdown between champion Eric Young, and challenger Rich Swann!
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. IMPACT Wrestling fan? You can check out their streaming service, IMPACT Plus for access to their library, and special IMPACT Plus only events as well as all episodes of IMPACT! On AXS TV. Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Head on over to the LWOS Boards to engage in conversation with fellow fans!
