AEW's Deonna Purrazzo Gets Candid About Her Time In WWE's NXT
Prior to debuting in AEW, Deonna Purrazzo previously wrestled all across the world, including a stint within WWE. Purrazzo started working out at the WWE Performance Center in July 2018 and was released less than two years later in April 2020. Appearing on "Talk Is Jericho," Purrazzo went into depth describing her experience with the company's developmental brand.
"It was bad," Purrazzo said. "I had so much experience working with WWE in an extra role, ... I had been on 'Raw' and 'SmackDown' actually wrestling, [and] I had then been on 'NXT' TV a ton. I just felt like, not that I earned more when I got there than I was given, but there was a respect level that I thought would carry over now that I got the job, I think. I found out real quick that it didn't matter that I had done all those things."
Purrazzo recalled being put on NXT live events when she first started and being asked to carry wrestlers' ring jackets to the back or act as door security, using a metal detector wand to make sure fans weren't bringing banned items inside. All the while, she was trying to get the point across that she was a distraction because many fans already knew who she was.
"It just rubbed people the wrong way," Purrazzo continued. "It wasn't that I didn't want to do those jobs, you know what I mean? ... I think I was little bit too vocal about the things that I thought weren't right or should be changed."
Purrazzo Recalls Conflict With WWE Officials
Purrazzo feels that her reputation was also hurt by asking company officials what they didn't like about her in-ring performances so she could make attempts to improve. The former Ring of Honor star wasn't able to get any direct answers.
"Finally, I just [reached] a breaking point," Purrazzo said. "[I was] like, 'This isn't working for anybody. It's sure as hell not working for me, so either you're going to tell me what I'm doing wrong and I can fix it, so I can be on TV, because I came here to be a TV star, or I'm not going to be a TV star and you should just let me go.'"
A few weeks later, WWE gave Purrazzo her release. The former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion now feels that the company showed her a lack of common respect. In return, she lost her respect for some in the company, causing Purrazzo to act in a manner that surprised even herself.
"I remember sitting in someone's office in a screaming fight," Purrazzo stated. "That's not who I am. Deonna Purrazzo — the professional — doesn't do that, but now I'm like [New] Jersey Deonna, angry at home, and you don't want to bring that to work."
Purrazzo said she wasn't very bothered by her release and has since regained her passion for wrestling. After joining AEW, Purrazzo immediately shot into a world title feud against Toni Storm and has since picked up wins against Red Velvet and Anna Jay.