Tony Khan Says He Wants To Give Deonna Purrazzo Opportunities, Praises Her For Remaining Positive

Deonna Purrazzo made a quick impact in AEW, challenging for the AEW Women’s Championship within her first months on television.

Purrazzo remained a constant on AEW TV throughout 2024, but has been off AEW television since January 2025 and off ROH TV since June 2025.

On the ROH Death Before Dishonor media call, Tony Khan was asked by Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated about Deonna’s status with the company.

“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. It’s think 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,” he said.

Tony noted that because they’ve been working closely with international partners and doing international shows, he didn’t feel that was the right fit for Deonna.

He continued, “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.

“Deonna is somebody that is a good example of how to conduct yourself in the locker room, even if you’re not necessarily featured on TV, being very positive in the sentiment of the company and also expressing an interest in going out and wrestling and taking advantage of the opportunities to go out there and get in the ring and make the most of them.”

Purrazzo is still scheduled for the ROH Women’s Pure Title tournament. Fans can find the latest information on the tournament here.

Purrazzo has taken independent bookings while not being used on AEW/ROH TV.

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