Deonna Purrazzo Learned About Her AEW Debut the Night Before

Deonna Purrazzo recently opened up about her decision to sign with AEW in a conversation with the AEW Unrestricted podcast. Her debut on the January 3 episode of AEW Dynamite marked a significant transition from her previous years with IMPACT Wrestling, surprising some fans who had anticipated her joining WWE after leaving IMPACT.

Purrazzo’s swift rise within AEW has solidified her status as a prominent figure in the company, notching victories over notable competitors like Anna Jay, Red Velvet, and Taya Valkyrie.

In the podcast interview, Purrazzo revealed that her discussions with Tony Khan, the head of AEW, began in December 2023. She described how they initially connected through a Zoom call, subsequently navigating the legal aspects and finalizing her contract. There was a gap in communication after this initial conversation, leaving her uncertain about her AEW debut.

“I spoke to Tony at the beginning of December [2023] and we were able to connect on a Zoom call and talk. We had only talked once, and we kind of went through the whole legal process and the contract signing, and then I hadn’t seen him until I got there on Wednesday and was about to go out.”

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Purrazzo also recalled her apprehension about not being able to debut in her hometown of New Jersey. She believed that the uncertainty surrounding her debut added to the excitement among the audience.

“I think that aided to the fact of like, okay, the audience was really excited for this. But then also to go online after the fact and just see all of my friends that I didn’t get to tell and all of the fans who were genuinely surprised, it was very overwhelming with the amount of love that I got from it. Just because Tony and I hadn’t spoken since that initial conversation, I didn’t think it was going to happen. I didn’t hear anything until Tuesday night, so as Monday happened, Tuesday happened, nobody’s said anything like it’s probably not gonna happen. The rumor mill is going around. Don’t be upset, the contract is signed so I will debut at some point, but don’t be upset if you don’t get to do this in Newark, it’s okay.”

In reflection, Purrazzo described the entire experience as immensely rewarding.

What are your thoughts on Deonna Purrazzo’s transition to AEW and her surprise debut? Do you think she will continue to make a significant impact in the company’s women’s division? Let us know in the comments below.