AEW Star Very Vocal Over Lack Of Appearances
An AEW star is growing increasingly frustrated.
When she officially signed with AEW in January 2024, Deonna Purrazzo was one of the most highly-rated female free agents in the world.
Following her release from WWE in 2020, the star rebuilt her career once back with TNA and was quickly recognised as one of the best women’s wrestlers in North America. By the time she became a free agent once again, it was reported Purrazzo had spoken to WWE but favoured a move to AEW.
Purrazzo was initially featured in a high-profile spot and challenged for the Women’s World Title at Revolution, but following the end of her rivalry with Thunder Rosa in the summer, her appearances on Dynamite and Collision began to dwindle. During this period, she linked up with Taya Valkyrie, with the pair known as The Vendetta.
When Purrazzo lost to Toni Storm on the January 4th edition of Collision, it was her first match on the show since September 6th. In fact, the star has only wrestled six times since that match against Hikaru Shida.
Deonna Purrazzo Wants More In AEW
On the January 15th edition of Dynamite, Purrazzo was a notable absentee from the first-ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match won by Storm. Following the match, Jon Alba wrote on social media that the star is “very underutilized right now,” adding he’s interested in seeing what she’s capable of in 2025.
In response, Purrazzo wrote that this isn’t the first time the conversation has been had around her, urging fans to keep watching.
Interestingly, it seems there is some genuine frustration behind her words.
According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Purrazzo has been “very vocal to management” about wanting to be used more and in a more effective way on television. This was especially true around Full Gear, which took place in her hometown.
Purrazzo vs. Anna Jay as a late addition to the pre-show, with Jay picking up the win.
Sapp noted there’s also no word on why former Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida has been missing of late. The star hasn’t wrestled on AEW television, or indeed anywhere, since losing to Kris Statlander on the November 20th episode of Dynamite.