Willow Nightingale publicly supported AEW wrestler Deonna Purrazzo following hateful body-shaming remarks directed at Purrazzo on social media over the weekend. Purrazzo had recently competed against Jonathan Gresham at a Game Changer Wrestling event, but was met with cruel comments after the match, sparking a wider conversation about the harassment often faced by women in wrestling.
Nightingale Praises Purrazzo’s Performance and Addresses the Harassment
Nightingale praised the match between Purrazzo and Gresham, highlighting its technical skill and storytelling. She acknowledged the unfortunate reality that body-shaming is common in the wrestling industry, pointing to her own experiences while urging greater kindness and empathy among fans. Nightingale shared her perspective on social media:
“You know who was the main character of my feed yesterday? Deonna. So I sought out her match vs. Gresham and it was a fun watch! When they were moving, they were moving and it was silky smooth. It told a good story, technically sound, and made me smile many more times than once,”
—Willow Nightingale
“All of this is to say I know just as well as anyone in this business (probably better tbh) that people are gonna say what they want about your body and sure, I guess they’re entitled to that?? BUT why in the blue hell is that the prevailing conversation when a professional is still going out there and successfully doing their job? I’m not naive. Some people’s lack of humanity doesn’t surprise me. I guess I’m just still hopeful we could collectively try to be better to one another?”
—Willow Nightingale
Deonna Purrazzo Responds to Support and Reflects on Online Hate
Purrazzo expressed gratitude for those who have stood by her during this difficult time, emphasizing the strength she finds in community support despite the flaws she sees in social media. She tweeted about the importance of love overpowering hate:
“This app has its flaws (A LOT of them)… but the people in this community who show up with love and support when it matters most? That’s why I stay,”
—Deonna Purrazzo
Love will always outweigh hate.
Ongoing Challenges and the Need for Empathy in Wrestling
Purrazzo, who competes in AEW and ROH and has recently participated in various independent wrestling events, shared in a recent podcast how her experience with body-shaming in January 2024 left her feeling scared to compete. She hopes that fans and critics alike become more considerate, recognizing that everyone faces personal struggles behind the scenes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Deonna Purrazzo leave the WWE?
A. On April 15, WWE let go of Purrazzo and about 24 other wrestlers and producers. Over her two years with WWE, Purrazzo had just 16 matches shown on TV. Purrazzo mentioned that WWE’s creative team did not think she was prepared for television appearances.
Q. Who is Deonna Purrazzo’s husband?
A. She has excelled in Ring Of Honor, TNA, and WWE, and now competes in AEW. She talks about friendships with fellow wrestlers, teaming up with others, working out alongside her husband Steve Maclin, and her plans for her impressive wrestling journey ahead.
Q. What ethnicity is Deonna Purrazzo?
A. She comes from an Italian family and has a twin brother named Dominic. Deonna was the one born first.
