Deonna Purrazzo believes that her acclaimed Deonna Purrazzo Virtuosa persona in AEW has not resonated as intended with fans, even after a year since her arrival. She attributes this ongoing disconnect to inconsistent character development and storytelling within All Elite Wrestling, despite her established reputation in professional wrestling.
Creative Hurdles Slowing Purrazzo’s Momentum in AEW
Purrazzo, once celebrated as a Knockouts World Champion and recognized for her technical prowess in TNA Wrestling, described her transition to AEW as challenging. She addressed these struggles in a recent appearance on the Muscle Memory podcast, admitting that her persona was never fully introduced to the audience.
“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,”
—Deonna Purrazzo, Wrestler
“And I think that’s something I’ve struggled with my entire career.”
—Deonna Purrazzo, Wrestler
This lack of clarity, according to Purrazzo, has impacted how viewers perceive her. A significant portion of the AEW audience is unfamiliar with her history and accomplishments, which further complicates efforts to connect.
Limited Storytelling Compounds the Issue
Purrazzo expressed her concern that her past achievements and her unique character have not been highlighted for the casual AEW viewer.
“I didn’t want to neglect the fact that the casual AEW fan might not know who I am and what I’ve done and what I’m about,”
—Deonna Purrazzo, Wrestler
“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, Wrestler
To remedy this, she revealed that she took the initiative during her conflict with Thunder Rosa in the summer of 2024, producing a series of vignettes herself to offer fans insight into her character.
“I went and I had a series of three vignettes made on my own, and I produced them… and I gave them to AEW,”
—Deonna Purrazzo, Wrestler
“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.”
—Deonna Purrazzo, Wrestler
Plea for Consistency and Deeper Character Connection
Purrazzo says the lack of sustained, consistent storytelling about her persona within AEW programming continues to stall her connection with fans. She insists that regular, thoughtful character development is crucial for televised wrestling.
“The key with any kind of TV company, televised product right now is just consistency,”
—Deonna Purrazzo, Wrestler
“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, Wrestler
Looking Ahead: Purrazzo Set for ROH Tournament
Despite ongoing frustrations, Deonna Purrazzo remains an important competitor in both AEW and ROH. She is scheduled to participate in the first-ever ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament, a platform expected to showcase her renowned submission skills and technical approach.
As Purrazzo’s journey continues, her determination to fully express her Virtuosa persona in AEW spotlights the challenges that established wrestlers may face when connecting with new audiences. Her experience could influence how AEW and similar promotions introduce and develop incoming talent, potentially changing storytelling approaches for future stars.
