by: Harverford Joey
WWE found huge momentum for their women’s division over the past few years, but things have changed in 2021. Deonna Purrazzo represents the performers who have thrived outside of WWE to continue the evolution of women’s wrestling in other promotions. WWE dropped the ball with Purrazzo during her stint in NXT, but it just inspired her to take her career to new heights when released.
Impact Wrestling has been trying hard to rebuild its brand since the management change a couple of years ago. Talents like Purrazzo are showing that IMPACT Wrestling is no longer a joke in the wrestling industry. Compelling matches and a dominant Knockouts Championship reign tell the story of Deonna becoming the top female wrestler without the WWE machine.
The WWE run of Deonna Purrazzo is forgotten despite spending two years under contract. Women’s wrestling was reaching new heights and WWE wanted to continue adding to their rosters. Purrazzo joined the NXT brand in the spring of 2018 with huge expectations following her impressive run on the independent circuit.
There were some skeptics about the timing of the signing. Everyone knows Deonna was a great talent, but WWE didn’t seem willing to sign her to a full-time deal until she was announced for the All Out event run by Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks. The women’s match was originally expected to be Purrazzo facing off with Britt Baker, Tessa Blanchard and Madison Rayne in a fatal four-way match. WWE signed Deonna and requested she be removed from the card.