Deonna Purrazzo discusses AEW negotiations and TNA contract situations, sharing insight into her experience during a critical time in her career, in a recent episode of the Lightweights podcast. The wrestling star described challenges navigating her exit from IMPACT and addressed what she saw as a lack of communication with TNA during contract renewal talks in late 2023.
Transparency About AEW and Contract Talks
During her appearance, Deonna Purrazzo spoke candidly about her process when her contract with IMPACT was nearing its expiration. She emphasized the importance of handling things the right way, explaining that she wanted proper permission before talking to other companies such as AEW or WWE. Acknowledging frequent rumors and misunderstandings, Purrazzo described her approach to Scott D’Amore, seeking his guidance as she approached free agency.
“It’s funny because I’ve seen a lot of misconception about this, and I’ve talked openly about talking to AEW while I was ending my IMPACT contract and I got permission from Scott D’Amore like 90 days out. So the beginning of October, I was like, ‘Hey, you have not spoke to me about renewing my contract. Is it okay?… I don’t know anything about contract tampering. I don’t want to contract tamper. I don’t want to do anything the wrong way. I respect you, I respect this company so much. Tell me the right way to go about this. You have not spoke to me about re-signing. Is it okay for me to go try to talk to AEW? Or WWE?’ And he was like, ‘Absolutely,’ and he was like, ‘I think that you’re not talking about doing things now… You’re talking about starting January 1st when you would technically be free so, go talk to whoever you wanna talk to.’”
—Deonna Purrazzo, AEW star
This exchange, she said, clarified that she was allowed to explore new opportunities, but not until her current obligations had officially ended. The permission she received from D’Amore helped Purrazzo proceed cautiously as she moved toward speaking with AEW and WWE about future opportunities.
Feelings of Disappointment With TNA’s Approach
Deonna Purrazzo admitted that she felt a sense of frustration and disappointment with the way TNA handled her contract situation, particularly as negotiations dragged on and communication became strained. Reflecting on her multi-year tenure, she spoke about the emotional impact of feeling underappreciated by a company where she had invested significant time and energy.
“Yes. Like I — yes and no. So, earlier, my contract at IMPACT was originally two years and it had a third-year option that was their option. So at the end of that two-year mark, I had said, ‘I don’t know if this place is for me. Maybe I wanna explore other things. I know it’s your choice but respectfully, could you not take that third-year option?’ And at first, they were like, ‘You can go talk and explore and whatever but we’ll let you know’ and then they picked up the third-year option, which honestly, I’m very thankful for. I think it all worked out the way it should have and I wasn’t upset by that. But when it came to renewing my contract and getting a completely new one, yeah, I was bummed because I just felt like I gave so much heart and soul and 100 percent of me to this company to be — you know, I was Ms. IMPACT Wrestling for three and a half years so, why wouldn’t you wanna keep me? And it wasn’t until last minute… like the end of November that they were like, ‘No! We do wanna keep you’ and I was kind of already like, hmm, but now I don’t think I want to stay. It was just a very weird — I felt like why wouldn’t you wanna keep me? But also, do you not wanna keep me because you thought I wanted to leave? It was a weird communication, honestly. But yeah, I was upset.”
—Deonna Purrazzo, AEW star
Her doubts about the company‘s intentions grew as the end of November approached and TNA only then expressed interest in keeping her on their roster. By that point, Purrazzo questioned whether she still wanted to renew, given the lack of reassurance and the awkward way the situation unfolded. This uncertainty, as well as the delayed response from the organization, left her feeling alienated despite her longstanding commitment to IMPACT Wrestling.
Potential Impact on Purrazzo’s Career and TNA’s Direction
Deonna Purrazzo’s experience in her negotiations with TNA and her transparent discussions around approaches by AEW and WWE shine a light on the complexities of contract negotiations in professional wrestling. Purrazzo has been a defining presence in the ring, holding championship titles and contributing to the growth of IMPACT Wrestling. However, her story reflects the pressures and personal challenges that can arise for athletes when companies delay key decisions or provide unclear communication.
For TNA, this scenario serves as a reminder of the importance of timely and honest engagement with top talent. For Purrazzo, the decision to move forward after feeling overlooked illustrates both the personal risks and opportunities inherent in the wrestling world. As the landscape continues to evolve, both wrestlers and promotions are likely to reassess how they handle negotiations, especially with high-profile stars like Deonna Purrazzo sharing their perspectives openly.
