Deonna Purrazzo recently shared her thoughts in an interview with SoCal Val for WrestlingNewsCo, discussing several important topics including her experience with AEW’s tuition reimbursement program and challenges she has faced with body shaming. Purrazzo, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in history from Southern New Hampshire University in August 2023 while wrestling for TNA, emphasized that AEW’s encouragement of continued education was a major factor in her decision to sign with the promotion in early 2024.
She praised AEW’s program for tuition reimbursement, explaining that the company offers financial assistance for educational expenses up to a set annual amount. This benefit allowed her to pursue a master’s degree without worrying about the cost, and she described the process as seamless and supportive.
AEW is so great in encouraging us to go back to school.
— Deonna Purrazzo
They have a program where they reimburse us for our tuition up to a certain amount every year.
— Deonna Purrazzo
That was a really big part of why I was happy to go there. I had just gotten my bachelor’s degree the summer of 2023 and I was like, maybe I want to get a master’s. But going somewhere that’s going to be supportive of that was huge for me. And so I’m very, very grateful that they’ve made it so easy and so seamless for me to be able to go back to school. And I’m halfway through my master’s degree.
— Deonna Purrazzo
Addressing Online Body Shaming and Finding Strength
Purrazzo opened up about the negative impact of body shaming from online critics and how she has learned to cope with the harmful messages. She acknowledged the difficulty of confronting insults that questioned her appearance and professional prospects but has gradually shifted her mindset to focus on true supporters rather than detractors.
She said that recognizing these harsh comments come from people who do not financially support her work helped reduce their power over her mental state. Through therapy and conversations with close friends, family, and her husband, Purrazzo has built resilience against such negativity, refusing to let online hostility control her emotions or energy.
I had to realize that these people who comment ‘I’m fat,’ ‘you’re a pig,’ ‘you’re disgusting,’ ‘lose weight,’ ‘maybe then you’ll get booked,’ all of these comments are not my actual supporters. And being able to shift that in my brain — that person is not paying to come watch me wrestle, they’re not buying a ticket to Dynamite, they’re not buying a ticket to the independent show I’m wrestling at in Chicago.
— Deonna Purrazzo
Those aren’t the people, and I don’t need to focus on those people.
— Deonna Purrazzo
I like to have fun with it now, but it’s taken me a lot of therapy to get to that point. It’s taken a lot of conversations with my friends, my husband, and my family to get to that point — to be this strong. But I think that if you’re willing to put that work in for yourself, then no one can stop you. No one on Twitter is keeping me up anymore at night. No one on Twitter is making me cry anymore at night. I’m not giving them the power because they’re not being supportive in other aspects. They don’t deserve it.
— Deonna Purrazzo
Recent Wrestling Milestones and AEW Debut
Purrazzo made her full-time AEW debut on the January 2, 2024 episode of Dynamite in her home state of New Jersey. Prior to this, she competed under the AEW/ROH banner, with one of her notable recent matches being a Pure Rules victory against Rachael Ellering on ROH TV in June 2023. Her latest AEW television appearance took place on the February 26 edition of Dynamite, where she was defeated by Harley Cameron.
Implications of AEW’s Educational Support and Purrazzo’s Journey
AEW’s tuition reimbursement program represents a significant support system for wrestlers striving to advance both their athletic careers and academic goals. For Purrazzo, this assistance has not only made continuing education more accessible but has also influenced her professional choices. Her ability to openly confront body shaming and prioritize mental health while progressing in her career highlights her determination and the positive environment AEW strives to provide.
Looking ahead, Purrazzo’s ongoing pursuit of her master’s degree alongside her wrestling commitments exemplifies a growing trend of athletes balancing education and sports careers, with AEW facilitating that balance through tangible support.
