Tony Khan Gives Surprising Insight Into AEW Star’s Lengthy Absence
Tony Khan has given fans an update on a missing AEW star.
It’s become something of an open secret that Deonna Purrazzo has been frustrated with how her AEW career has panned out thus far.
After signing with the company in early 2024, Purrazzo was quickly thrust into a high-profile role and challenged for the Women’s World Championship. However, she’s wrestled on AEW television just three times in 2025, with her most recent match coming back in February.
During her time away from AEW television, the former TNA Knockouts Champion has wrestled three times in ROH. But, she hasn’t wrestled for the promotion since mid-June.
Tony Khan Shares Update On Deonna Purrazzo
During the pre-ROH Death Before Dishonor media call, Tony Khan was asked about Purrazzo’s status by Sports Illustrated’s Jon Alba.
In response, Khan talked up Purazzo’s in-ring skills and initial impact when she first signed with the company. However, he suggested that a negative experience in Mexico had caused her lack of appearances in 2025.
Although Khan didn’t go into detail, Purrazzo hasn’t wrestled in Mexico since beating La Catalina at CMLL Viernes Espectacular in December 2024. AEW later teamed with CMLL for Grand Slam Mexico the following June, but Purrazzo wasn’t on the card.
“I like Deonna a lot and I think she is a very talented wrestler. I do value people trying to get reps in AEW or ROH, or internationally. Deonna is a really great wrestler, and when she came to AEW, she had a lot of success. She still could find her footing here and do really well.
Deonna had gone down to Mexico, and this is something you can grow and learn from, and had an experience down there that wasn’t positive with our partners. In doing some of the wrestling down there and having more involvement with international partners, it’s important to look at how AEW this year has been working with top international promotions.
I like Deonna a lot, and I’ve been looking at this show as an opportunity to work Deonna back in. I really want to get Deonna going again. It’s okay if something doesn’t go well, and I want to give somebody an opportunity to come back from something, and I think Deonna is a really good wrestler.
Having one match that doesn’t go great shouldn’t be the end of a run or change anything. I really appreciate a lot of what Deonna has said recently, positive comments about AEW. I feel positive about her, too. That’s why we brought her here.”
Khan went on to explain that because AEW has spent so much time working with international partners in 2025, it didn’t feel like the right time to bring Purrazzo back into the fold. He again reiterated that he’s a huge fan of the star and is looking forward to reintegrating her into AEW and ROH.
“I think Deonna is an excellent wrestler, and she’s gonna be in the Pure Championship Tournament. I really want to get Deonna going again. I say these things because I think she’s a really good talent and person. I think she brings a lot of positive things and I really want to stress, if one thing doesn’t go perfectly, it’s okay to take some time and we’ll reevaluate when the right thing comes up and we’ll slot you back in.
Deonna has been really positive of AEW and I want to give Deonna a good opportunity. I’m still very interested in Deonna wrestling, and she has been open that she wants to get out there and wrestle more on the independents and take advantage of the opportunities in ROH when they come.
Based on the positive sentiment she’s been putting out there and her wanting to do the work, and the body work she’s put up in her career and what I know she’s capable of at her best, absolutely, I want to give Deonna opportunities.”
During the same media call, Tony Khan gave an insight into Chris Jericho’s AEW status. The star has been with the company since 2019 and became its first-ever World Champion at that years All Out pay-per-view.
In recent weeks, several reports have emerged linking Jericho with a return to WWE when his AEW deal expires in December 2025.
H/t to Fightful