Deonna Purrazzo Talks Her NXT Tryout, Working For ROH And TNA, Feedback From Major Companies

I recently spoke to Deonna Purrazzo, 21-year old independent wrestling talent who’s had the unique experience of appearing for NXT, TNA and Ring of Honor in her young career. Deonna opened up about her NXT tryout, her experiences working for ECWA and Monster Factory, and much more.

You can hear the interview in the audio players above or below, and read the interview in full below.

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The first thing I wanted to ask before we got into anything else. Do you have any crazy ass Rip Rogers stories?

“Oh, you have no idea (laughs). I’ve known him for about three years, but the first time I met him in person is probably my favorite. Damian and I picked him up from the airport, and it was just him. We were like ‘do you have any bags?’ and he said ‘no, I’m good.’ He had his fanny pack and that’s it. I went to shake his hand and he gave me this stink eye and said ‘so you think you’re tough, huh?’ and just walked away! I was like, ‘okay! I guess this is how this is going to go!.”

I’ve not met Rip, but he seems among the most colorful personalities in wrestling. I know you’ve done some training with him. How has that been?

“I’m not directly trained by him but Damian Adams, my trainer, is an OVW alumni. He was there from 2005 to 2008. Everything that was taught in 2012, Damian was my head trainer, and he brought over from developmental and Rip Rogers. I’ve been able to take classes at OVW and attend Rip’s seminars. I feel like that’s a misconception, I was never trained by OVW, but I’ve attended more training with Rip. He’s so colorful and so harsh. I thought I was going to die the first time I went an hour. In my head I thought ‘If I just die, then it’s over and it’s fine and I’ll be okay,’ (laughs). He’s doing it to make you a better person. He cares about everyone so much. That’s just how it comes out. It’s been such a positive influence on my wrestling career. I’ve been very fortunate to not just have him as a trainer, but as a friend too.”

What made you want to become a pro wrestler?

“I knew when I was 9 I wanted to become a pro wrestler. I have a twin, his name is Dominic. All his friends came over and watched wrestling. I’ve always kind of been around it my whole life, but when I was 9, I saw Stone Cold hit someone with a steel chair and I was hooked instantly. I saw the women do it, Trish and Lita, Jacqueline, Victoria and I knew I wanted to do that.”

Women’s wrestling has changed a lot lately. You saw that old style and still got in to pro wrestling. What’s it like to see that evolution occur?

“I’ve actually gotten a chance to tell Bayley this, I can still resonate with the stories they told through the NXT Takeovers, and the Four Horsewomen and the revolution. It really inspires me. In part, I guess I have something to do with it, but on WWE’s level, stirring up the news, I feel accomplished and empowered. I’m so happy that girls that had the same dream as me have had the chance to see those dreams. Now meeting them and getting to wrestle at the same level as them, my dreams are coming true through them.”

You’ve worked for NXT several times. How did your first NXT appearance come about?

“It was so out of nowhere! I feel like that’s the theme of my career so far. I had no idea I was going until 14 hours before I got on a plane. They asked me if I could be in Orlando and I said ‘No problem, I’m there.’ I had no idea if I was going to wrestle or who it would be against. Another one of my trainers is Shawn Bennett, who is one of the refs down there, so I had some familiar faces and people I knew from being a Rosebud and stuff. It wasn’t uncomfortable, it was that weird anticipation of this is where it starts if something happens to me. It was fun to be at Full Sail with NXT.”

You were technically in a number one contender’s match in that battle royal, and you got to work with virtually everyone. Do you think that will help you down the line?

“I think so. If I get to go back and do more, being put in that situation where I’m the only non-contracted person, it’s a free-for-all. It’s a battle royal, you’re just going after everyone. For them to trust me enough to take care of the people that they’re investing so much money in is an honor to me, and it tells me how much they think of me. I think it helped the talent feel more comfortable with me and in the future if I’m booked to wrestle any of those talents one-on-one that I haven’t, they can feel a little bit more comfortable.”

Just over the past 13 months, wrestling has changed. You appeared for ROH, TNA and NXT over a month. That wouldn’t have happened years ago. Do you make an effort to try to make yourself as visible as possible?

“Yeah, I think that’s the whole point of being a wrestler – you don’t want to limit yourself. I was lucky to be taught that early on. In TNA when I did the Knockouts PPV with Brooke Tessmacher, it was my 8th match in front of a live audience. So my trainers pushed me to make the most of every opportunity. It’s been great timing, because so much has changed and we’ve seen so many things happening that we never thought would happen. Hopefully my experience in working with all three companies in such a short amount of time can open up the doors …

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