Deonna Purrazzo has openly reflected on ongoing frustrations during her AEW tenure, revealing that key elements of her character may not be connecting with fans as intended. Speaking candidly about her Deonna Purrazzo AEW career struggles, Purrazzo highlighted how the lack of clarity surrounding her persona, “The Virtuosa,” has contributed to her challenges within the company.
Struggles Surface After AEW Debut
Since signing with AEW and earning an early spotlight by competing for the Women’s World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo has experienced a tumultuous journey. Despite her impressive debut, she has participated in only three televised AEW matches in 2025, with her latest appearance dating back to February. The scarcity of television time has left Purrazzo feeling sidelined, a reality she openly acknowledges has been disheartening.
In a recent interview with MuscleManMalcom, the wrestler pinpointed the period following her debut as the beginning of her challenges in AEW. Purrazzo asserted that her issues were rooted in an immediate disconnect with the audience, primarily stemming from insufficient explanation of her “Virtuosa” identity.
“I think after that is when it got difficult, because we didn’t explain to the AEW audience right away what the word ‘virtuosa’ meant. And I think that’s something I’ve struggled with my entire career.”
—Deonna Purrazzo
She elaborated that while some wrestling fans may have followed her earlier career in TNA, the AEW audience was not adequately introduced to what makes her unique. Purrazzo was concerned that this lack of introduction prevented many from appreciating or even understanding her professional accomplishments and persona.
“I didn’t want to neglect that fact that the casual AEW fan might not know who I am and what I’ve done and what I’m about. And unfortunately, there just like wasn’t time for it, and we never got to explaining what it meant to be the Virtuosa.”
—Deonna Purrazzo
Efforts to Build Her Character and Fanbase
Feeling the need to bridge the disconnect between herself and viewers, Purrazzo took the initiative to develop her character further. She personally produced a set of vignettes aimed at providing depth and context, intending to help AEW fans grasp what the “Virtuosa” embodies. However, the effort did not produce the results she hoped for, as her attempt at consistent character storytelling did not receive continued support from the company.
“I went and I had a series of three vignettes made on my own, and I produced them… and I gave them to AEW. And I said, ‘I still don’t think we’ve explained to the audience why they don’t like me’… But then that was almost a year ago, and we’ve not had, like, consistent follow up yet…The key with any kind of TV company, televised product right now is just consistency. I want them to get to know the Virtuosa. Because I feel like, even though I’m a year and a half in, they still don’t necessarily understand all that I’m about.”
—Deonna Purrazzo
Her attempt to offer fans insight into her motivations and background was an act of dedication, but without continued storytelling on television, Purrazzo believes viewers have not had the chance to relate to or even fully recognize her character.
The Ongoing Impact on Deonna Purrazzo’s Role in AEW
Pushed initially toward major matchups, including a high-profile Women’s World Championship challenge, Purrazzo’s visibility has nonetheless diminished over the past year. The disconnect she describes persists, despite her own work to address the situation, and her AEW television presence has become sporadic. Although she recently competed at a Ring of Honor TV taping on June 21, the match has yet to air, keeping her out of the current AEW spotlight.
Purrazzo’s experience differs from the journeys of other wrestling personalities mentioned in the industry, such as Rey Mysterio and Swerve Strickland, whose narratives have been more prominently highlighted, or the Young Bucks, who remain focal figures heading into events like All In Texas. The challenges faced by Purrazzo underscore not only the volatility of wrestling careers but also the significant impact that careful character development and consistent television exposure can have on a performer’s connection with fans.
Why Her Story Resonates Across the Wrestling World
Deonna Purrazzo’s admission of feeling misunderstood highlights broader issues within televised wrestling, especially as companies like AEW and WWE seek new ways to establish stars in a crowded and fast-moving environment. Amid discussions around other wrestling events, such as championship matches involving figures like the Young Bucks and the ongoing stories of talents like Karrion Kross and Naomi, Purrazzo’s account stands as a reminder of the importance of storytelling in capturing audience investment.
The significance of her journey lies in the struggle to define and communicate identity in the competitive world of professional wrestling. As AEW continues to evolve and fans anticipate how storylines will progress, Purrazzo’s candid reflections may serve as a case study for the value of giving performers time and a platform to fully express who they are—and for ensuring audiences have the opportunity to understand them. For now, Purrazzo’s efforts and her hope for a stronger, more consistent connection with AEW fans remain at the core of her narrative, as audiences and the company alike consider the next steps for the Virtuosa.
