Tag: deonna purrazzo

Deonna Purrazzo talks opponents for Forbidden Door, Global Wars

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

With ROH Global Wars and AEW Forbidden Door both taking place this month, fans will have the opportunity to see a number of interpromotional matches soon. As the reigning ROH Women’s Pure Champion, Deonna Purrazzo figures to be on one or both shows. But who might her opponent be?

Purrazzo talked to Kate Hallstead of Fightful to promote the Battle of the Brave card she is putting on with her husband, TNA wrestler Steve Maclin, this weekend. Hallstead asked about opponents Purrazzo had never wrestled, in an out of AEW/ROH.

“I’ve never wrestled Maya World,” Purrazzo said. “I’ve never had a singles match with Athena. I’ve never had a singles match with Hyan or Zayda Steel. So, all of those women are coming for my championship.”

Purrazzo then moved on to the AEW roster. 

“I’ve never wrestled Jamie Hayter,” she said. “I’ve never wrestled Alex Windsor. I’ve never wrestled Kris Statlander. I’ve never wrestled Mercedes [Mone]. I’ve never wrestled Thekla or Julia Hart.”

Purrazzo also has eyes on some international stars.

“I would love to wrestle Persephone for sure,” she said. “We know she’s in the Owen, so it’s likely not going to happen, but we do have a Global Wars coming up mid-June with Stardom involved. I haven’t been to Stardom in nearly 10 years. I know Hazuki’s also in the Owen. That would be really awesome one day.”

Battle for the Brave takes place Saturday, June 6, at the Rahway Recreation Center in Rahway, New Jersey. Proceeds will benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Hardys will face the Verdict in the main event. Amazing Red, Rich Swann, Priscilla Kelly, and Shotzi Blackheart are among the other names in action. Full card and tickets are available here. 

ROH Global Wars: Cincinnati will take place Thursday, June 18. Athena will defend the ROH Women’s Championship against Syuri in the main event. The event will stream live at WatchROH.com.

AEW Forbidden Door will take place Sunday, June 28, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. AEW, ROH, New Japan, CMLL, and Stardom are co-promoting the event. Tickets are available here. 

Women’s Pure title match announced for ROH Supercard of Honor

Posted on by Josh Nason

Inaugural Ring of Honor Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo will put her title on the line as part of next month’s ROH Supercard of Honor event.

Announced during Thursday’s ROH TV, Purrazzo will defend against Diamante as part of the Friday, May 15 streaming special from Salisbury, Maryland. Diamante is a member of Athena’s MIT group of which Purrazzo has been recently feuding with.

Purrazzo will be looking for her fourth successful title defense of the title she first won at December 2025’s Final Battle by defeating MIT member Billie Starkz. While they have squared off in recent tag matches, this will be their first-ever singles bout. Diamante is looking for her first title anywhere since 2022.

Current ROH Supercard of Honor lineup | Friday, May 15 | Salisbury, Maryland

  • ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Maya World, Trish Adora, Yuka Sakazaki, Billie Starkz and Persephone in a Survival of the Fittest match
  • ROH Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Diamante

Deonna Purrazzo set for first ROH Women’s Pure title defense

Posted on by Ian Carey

Deonna Purrazzo’s first defense of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship is set.

Purrazzo will defend the title against Trish Adora of The Infantry and Shane Taylor Promotions. The match will air on Honor Club. It was taped on Saturday at AEW’s live episode of Collision in Oceanside, California.

On the January 22 edition of ROH on Honor Club, Purrazzo issued an open challenge for the title. One month later, Ring of Honor’s social media accounts announced that Adora has accepted.

ROH wrote:

“The open challenge was issued and accepted! The #ROH Women’s Pure Champion @DeonnaPurrazzo takes on @TrishAdora202 of STP!”

The title match comes after Purrazzo was critical of the lack of defenses she’s had since winning the belt at ROH Final Battle on December 5.

In a recent interview with BCP+, Purrazzo called her inactivity “really defeating.”

“I think I’m a little disappointed to not have defended my championship yet. I am constantly trying to rack my brain of like what else can I do and what more can I do and how much more of myself can I give? And for that not to be reciprocated in any environment, not just in Ring of Honor, is really defeating for me.“

Ring of Honor has also announced that it will hold standalone TV tapings in Jacksonville, Florida, on the afternoon of Sunday, March 1. It will be the first time the promotion has run standalone ROH tapings in two years.

Deonna Purrazzo calls ROH inactivity ‘really upsetting’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Deonna Purrazzo says she is disappointed to not have defended her ROH Women’s Pure Championship yet.

Purrazzo defeated Billie Starkz to become the inaugural champion at ROH Final Battle 2025 on December 5, but has yet to defend the title. Her only match so far in 2026 has been a six-person tag at the January 31 Ring of Honor tapings at the Esports Stadium in Arlington.

During an interview with BCP+, Purrazzo was asked about her title reign thus far and responded:

“I think I’m a little disappointed to not have defended my championship yet. I am constantly trying to rack my brain of like what else can I do and what more can I do and how much more of myself can I give? And for that not to be reciprocated in any environment, not just in Ring of Honor, is really defeating for me.

A lot of my self-worth comes from my work and my body of work and being able to participate actively and feel like I’m making a difference in women’s wrestling.”

“I don’t know what else I can do to change that. So for me it was saying, okay, if I’m not going to get these opportunities here, I need to stay ready. I need to stay crisp for when they do come.”

On the January 22nd edition of ROH on HonorClub, a backstage segment with Purrazzo issuing an open challenge for her title aired. However, the segment has not been followed up on.

On February 10, Purrazzo posted to social media that she is accepting independent bookings.

Purrazzo continued:

“It’s really defeating. It’s really upsetting. But at the end of the day, this is a business and I have to continue to run my own, at whatever stakes that costs. For me and Steve, it’s being able to give back and doing all this advocacy work through Tunnel to Towers and through the New Jersey education systems. And now I need to do that in my wrestling life, and that’s taking independent bookings and staying busy and staying active.”

Purrazzo’s full interview is available below. The video is cued to her comments about her title reign thus far.

TNA veteran wants Deonna Purrazzo as her potential return opponent

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

TNA Knockouts veteran Brooke Adams, aka Brooke Tessmacher, recently opened up about her return to pro-wrestling and possibly having it against Deonna Purrazzo.

Speaking to SoCal Val on The Velvet Rope, Adams expressed her interest in an in-ring comeback after being away from it for almost nine years.

“I feel like when I left, I left giving up the championship. I never had a rematch. I left unfinished business — I would love to go get myself ready, go do it one more time, one more ride, and finish out kind of the full story.”

When asked about a potential return opponent, she claimed, “Deonna [Purrazzo]. She is completely iconic. We got little things in our pockets that she might not be ready for. So [Deonna], watch out.”

Purrazzo was one of Adams’ last opponents during her time in Impact Wrestling, with the duo battling in January 2017. Purrazzo is the current reigning ROH Women’s Pure Champion, while Adams was known for her both non-wrestling and in-ring work in TNA, especially her three-time TNA Knockouts title win.

ROH champion issues open challenge

Posted on by Ian Carey

Deonna Purrazzo wants to take on all challengers.

The ROH Women’s Pure Champion issued an open challenge in a backstage segment on ROH TV this week.

Purrazzo said:

“It’s time to start creating my legacy as the first-ever, reigning and defending, Ring of Honor Pure Women’s Champ. So let me officially issue an open challenge to anyone anywhere because I am a fighting champion by design.”

A date for the first ROH Women’s Pure title open challenge has yet to be announced.

Purrazzo became the inaugural holder of the title by defeating Billie Starkz in the finals of a tournament at Final Battle 2025. Since winning the championship, Purrazzo teamed with Madison Rayne in Rayne’s final match, a loss to Starkz and Diamante on the December 21 ROH taping at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

Purrazzo is 9–0 in ROH Pure rules matches dating back to last May. She has not lost a singles match in ROH since returning to the promotion earlier this year for the first time since 2018.

Purrazzo’s promo is below:

ROH TV live results: Bandido & Jay Lethal vs. The Swirl

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor’s 2026 kicks off tonight with their first HonorClub show of the new year.

ROH World Champion Bandido teams with former champion Jay Lethal to take on Lee Johnson & Blake Christian of The Swirl.

In a trios Fight Without Honor, The Outrunners & Dalton Castle take on MxM TV.

In a rematch, Billie Starkz teams with Diamante against Deonna Purrazzo & Madison Rayne.

Bryan Keith returns to the ROH singles division against Serpentico while Hechicero battles Aaron Solo.

In another trios match, Shane Taylor Promotions takes on Komander and Top Flight while Lance Archer in action rounds out the main card.

**********

Here we are friends, new year, new you, new wrestling! Ring of Honor is the first of the Middle-Sized ones to do it in 2026 and they certainly set the tone with:

ROH World Champion Bandido & Jay Lethal vs. The Swirl (Blake Christian & Lee Johnson)

Christian has been doing his best to be an annoying brat to both Bandido and Lethal recently, so this match has some fuel to it. Johnson was also there.

Christian vs Lethal started the match, but the crowd wanted Bandido. Lethal tagged him in, but Christian then tagged out, playing the mind games. Johnson and Bandido tangled for a few seconds, before Christian got pulled back into it. When the dust settled Johnson and Bandido were legal.

Johnson got the upper hand until Bandido blocked a suplex. Johnson did the same ont he counter and the two broke of and ran the ropes, colliding in the center. On the outside, Christian tried to distract Lethal.

Christian tagged back in and he and Bandidio traded holds with Christian getting the better of the champ in the corner. Christian cut off the hot tag and when Lethal did get a tag, the ref didnt see it. In the confusion, Johnson and Christian hammered Bandido in the corner.

Bandido fought back and went for a hot tag to Lethal who… stepped away? Lethal refused Bandido’s tag and that allowed Christian to get the drop on Bandido. He and Johnson went for a double team, but Bandido was fired up and fought them both.

Match Result: Bandido & Jay Lethal vs. The Swirl went to a no contest

Lethal slipped into the ring and hit a Lethal Injection on Bandido and then the Swirl stomped him. All three beat on Bandido until Christian grabbed the ROH World Title Belt. Lethal ripped off Bandido’s mask and just then Adam Priest and Tom Billington hit the ring to make the save.

The newly established trio of Jay Lethal, Blake Christian and Lee Johnson (Im leaning hard towards “Lethal Swirl”) walked up the ramp.

Bryan Keith vs Serpentico

There was something poetic about this Snake-vs-Cowboy match.

The match began with some confirmation from the audience that they were going to “boo” Keith and “Yay” Serpentico. Then Keith knocked Serpentico down and they started wrestling. Serpentico seemed to have the speed advantge put to good use, running circles around Keith.

Keith threw a shoulder into Serpentico’s chin, knocking him out of the ring. Keith followed and Serptentico met him with some chops. Keith went right to the eyes and threw Serpentico at the stairs by the face.

Back in the ring, Serpentico and Keith traded shots until Keith got a knee into Serpentico’s stomach. They traded suplex blocks back and forth until Serpentico landed one, throwing Keith into the corner. Serpentico kept the match pace going with a series of kicks and a hurricanrana. Serpentico went for a cover but only got a two count.

Serpentico went up top but Keith rolled out of the way. Serpentico countered and exploder, but couldn’t counter the whipping lariat Keith hit him with next. Keith pointed to the sky and went to finish off Serpentico, but he took too long and Serpentico hit him with a cresecnt kick.

Keith put a knee to his face and then threw him down in a tiger driver to get the pin and the victory.

Match Result: Bryan Keith defeated Serpentico

Billie Starkz and Diamante vs ROH Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo and Madison Rayne

Tentative handshakes started the match as Starkz and Diamante tried to jump Rayne and Purrazzo off the bell. Rayne and Purrazzo saw it coming though and hit a few tandem moves to end the assualt. The match started for realsies with Rayne and Diamante. They gave way to Starkz and Rayne that threw punches at each other untiul Rayne threw Starkz into the corner.

Rayne officially tagged in, taking over beating up Diamante from Purrazzo. The battlked for a but until Starkz tagged in and took Rayne to the corner to tag Diamante back in. They tagged in and out, working Rayne over until Dimante did a standing hair pull on Rayne and Starkz tagged in.

They hit a double backbreaker on Rayne and tossed her across the ring. Diamante exited and Starkz put Rayne in a tight headlock. She tossed Rayne into the corner and Diamante tagged in for tandem head strikes. Purrazzo tried to help but the Ref sent her back to her corner.

Diamante bounced Rayne’s head off the turnbuckle and Starkz tagged in for a choke. She punched Rayne in the corner until the Ref broke it up. Starkz and the Ref got into it then and Starkz pushed the ref. The ref pushed her back and over Rayne, who scooped her up for a two count.

Starkz suplexed Rayne but ate a big boot on the charge to get her in the corner. Rayne went up the turnbuckles holding Starkz head between her knees, sending Starkz head into the turnbuckle. She then hit a cannonball that left both women on the mat.

Hot tags were made on both sides and fresh Purrazzo and Dimante action broke out. Purrazzo went right for the armbar, but Diamante got out of it. Purrazzo went for a powerbomb, but Starkz broke it up. Rayne came in and hit Starkz with a destroyer. Diamanted rolled through and landed a DDT on Rayne.

Purrazzo stepped in and she and Diamante brawled but both connected on kicks, sending the other to their corners for tags. Rayne and Starkz complied and Rayne began throwing hands. Starkz came back with a ripcord elbow and they went back and forth.

Starkz went up for the swanton and Diamante took Purrazzo out. Starkz pinned Rayne and got the win for her and Diamante.

Match Result: Billie Starkz and Diamante defeated Deonna Purrazzo and Madison Rayne

Lancer Archer vs Steve Gibki

In 2025, Archer threw a lot of local talent at the ground using the Archer’s Edge, Big Chops and Chokeslams.

In 2026, Archer promises to throw a lot of local talent at the ground using the Archer’s Edge, Big Chops and Chokeslams.

Gibki got a dropkick in, but otherwise see above.

Match Result: Lancer Archer defeated Steve Gibki

Shane Taylor Promotions (ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty, ROH Six Man Champions Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean) vs Komander and Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin)

Darius and Moriarty kicked things off which brought out a surprisingly technical side to Darius. The two traded holds until Moriarty tagged in Dean. Darius tagged in Komander and he and Dean whipped each other aroud the corners with Komander doing some fun flipping dropkicks.

Dean managed to block Komander’s speed with an eye-gouge and brought in Bravo for a double team. Bravo threw a flurry of jabs at Kommander in the corner then whipped him from post to post. Bravo hit a springboard cutter on Komander, but could only get a two count.

Quick tags let the Infantry press-slam Komander before Moriarty tagged in. Komander got him into a curicifix right away, but Moriarty kicked out. Quick tags and Dante and Dean were running the ropes. Dante hit a springboard crossbody, but only got a two count.

Dean blocked a suplex and handed out a big lariat. Tags made and Bravo and Darius met in the middle of the ring where Bravo knocked Darius’ head off with a right hand. Darius got back with a blue thunder bomb (complete with traditional two count).

The infantry then planted Komander, but Dante took them both out with a hight crossbody. Dante dropkicked Dean into a suplex from Darious. Dante made the pin 1-2-3!

Match Result: Top Flight defeated Shane Taylor Promotions

Backstage, Madison Rayne took a moment to speak about her life, her career and her family. She took the moment to announce that her earlier match with Deonna Purrazzo as her partner, would be her last. She is officially retiring and well deserved the moment.

Hechicero vs Aaron Solo

Solo has been in great shape lately, but even with the added bulk, Hechicero had a significant size advantage. Solo managed to avoid his reach though, but Hechicero caught up with him and put him in an leg lock, then an armbar.

Solo reversed it, but Hechicero saw it coming and switched tactics, slamming Solo’s arm on the mat to wrench the shoulder.

Hechicero proimised to be a good boy and shook Solo’s hand. Immediately after he knocked him to the ground and wrapped him up in a string of holds. Solo kept pushing back and the two shared a series of rolling two counts.

Hechicero got caught by a Solo dropkick out of the ring and Solo flipped out onto him with a cannonball. He thew Hechicero back in and went up top, hitting a stomp on Hechicero for a two count.

Hechicero caught Solo in a leapfrog, dragging him down tot he mat. Hechicero put him in the corner and started throwing hands, including exactly ten punches in the corner. Hechicero hit a leghook slam on Solo, but only got another two count.

The two traded shots in the middle of the ring until Solo snuck in a neckbreaker. Hechicero caught him in a drop and tried to set a crab, but Solo popped out of it and stomped Hechicero. Solo threw some stiff kicks, but Hechicero took them and went for a pin.

Solo grabbed him and they went through some rolling pin attempts. Hechicero hit a flapjack and wrapped his legs around Solo’s head. He rolled him arround the ring, then suddenly stopped. A dazed Solo couldn’t react fast enough and Hechicero got the pin

Match Result: Hechicero defeated Aaron Solo

Six Man Tag Team Fight Without Honor: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) vs MxMxTV (Johnny TV, Mansoor & Mason Madden) (w/Taya Valkyrie)

The first Ring of Honor Main Event of 2026 had it all. Boys. Tassels. Shades. Packages. As well as a distinct lack of honor. For those not in the know, a “Fight Without Honor” in Ring of Honor is a no countout, no dq, anything goes match.

This one proved that when MxMxTV showed up dressed like Grinches and destroyed the ROH Christmas Tree set. That brought Castle and the Outrunners up the ramp to beat up the Grinches and rest the tree like the flag at Iwo Jima.

Yes, that happened exactly as I described it.

In the fracas, Mansoor and Madden made it to the ring and were beating up on Magnum. Taya Valkyrie and Johnny TV ate and Onion and made out with the peices in their mouths. TV then grabbed some tubes of wrapping paper and beat up all Castle’s Boys with them. Castle got mad about that and started throwing oversized Christmas balls at TV and MxM.

Castle brought one down to the ring and used it to knock TV around and out of the ring. The Outrunners joined him there and beat up TV on the outside.

Mansoor and Floyd entered the ring, each holding a present. Mansoor offered his to Floyd, and Floyd punched him in the face through it. Mansoor then got up and Floyd offered him his present. Mansoor tried to punch through it, but no! It contained a brick!.

Madon Madden came to the ring with the tree and Floyd wrestled it away from him. He put the tree on his shoulders and gave it and airplane spin, knocking Mason and Madden out. The ramp was littered with boys, Outrunners, MXMs and more.

MxM mocked the Outrunners by doing a “Son of a Grinch” elbow on Castle. They hailed him up and TV went to smash a cake in his face but he ducked and Valkyrie caught the backed good face first.

The Outrunners hit total recall on Mansoor, but Madden grabbed Floyd and hit a sky high chokeslam. Madden went under the ring and pulled out a stocking. He got back in the ring and emptied the stocking of it’s contents: Lego.

Madden and the Outrunners blocked suplexes from each other until Madden ended up in the corner. The Outrunners took his boots off and hit an atomic drop, driving Madden’s bare feet onto the Lego.

Magnum hit Madden in the head with a present and he fell backwards on the legos. One “Son-of-a-bitch” elbow later and Magnum screamed “let’s get the tables!”

So they did.

Two tables were tossed into the ring and set up over top of the Lego (I think it was a Star wars set). TV Slid in and hita low blow on Floyd and sent Magnum out. TV and Mansoor laid Floyd out on one table in the ring. TV laid out Magnum on one on the outside.

Mansoor went up top and TV joined him there. They went for a dual leap but Castle appeared and Low blowed them both! He sent TV through the table on the outside and the OutRunners suplexed Madden through the table in the ring. They pinned him and got the incredible and ridiculous win.

Match Result: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners defeated MxMxTV

Deonna Purrazzo hoping to bring ROH Women’s Pure title to AEW programming

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of Deonna Purrazzo’s goals for the new year is to have her ROH Women’s Pure Championship featured on AEW programming.

While appearing on Gabby AF, Purrazzo was asked about potentially bringing her title to Dynamite to face off against some of the top stars in the AEW women’s division. Purrazzo said getting back on AEW television has long been a goal of hers — and she’s determined to put her Pure title on the map in 2026.

“Oh my gosh, absolutely. I mean, it was a goal before I was the champion, right? To get back on Dynamite,” Purrazzo responded. “And I’ve talked endlessly about, I’ve never wrestled Kris Statlander ever, so that would be a first-time match up. I’ve never wrestled Mercedes [Mone], and I think that we’ve both established our careers on submission finishes. And how great would it be to wrestle Mercedes in a Pure Rules match where we can rely heavily on those submissions?

“And so, absolutely, that’s something that I look forward to doing in 2026 is putting this Women’s Pure Championship on the map and saying there will be space for Deonna Purrazzo and Pure Rules on Dynamite. There will be space for me on Collision in a Pure Rules contest. And I know that I could get there. It’s just going to take some time, but I’m confident in that.”

Purrazzo became the inaugural Women’s Pure Champion by defeating Billie Starkz in a tournament final at ROH Final Battle 2025. For Purrazzo, it was the perfect way to end a year that was “really crappy.” She questioned herself a lot in 2025 and didn’t know if there was a place for her in wrestling anymore. There were times where Purrazzo wasn’t getting reps in the ring. And when she was getting reps, she wasn’t confident in herself. Purrazzo went back to her roots by taking more indie bookings in addition to her AEW/ROH work. This title win made all of the trials and tribulations she went through worth it.

ROH is a brand that Purrazzo has a strong connection with, going back to the days when the promotion was owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. She’s proud to see how far the ROH women’s division has come.

“We couldn’t even imagine a Women’s World Championship 10 years ago,” Purrazzo told Gabby AF. “And now we have a World Championship, a TV Championship, and a Pure Rules Championship. If you asked 20-year-old Deonna, like, her mind is blown, right? Like, no one believed in women in Ring of Honor that much. And to see that Athena has held the championship for over 1,000 days. She’s on Dynamite, on Collision, on pay-per-views now. She’s worked her way up to television with this championship and is putting women on the map. I want to do the same thing.”

The men’s and women’s Pure titles in ROH are both geared toward technical wrestlers, with a unique ruleset that includes each competitor having a limited number of rope breaks. Lee Moriarty is the current men’s champion.

Along with her title win, a highlight for Purrazzo in 2025 was launching her Boots to Boots podcast with husband Steve Maclin.

Ring of Honor live results: Final Battle aftermath

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub will feature all of the aftermath from last Friday’s Final Battle streaming special which will include inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo in non-title action.

Reigning AEW Women’s World Champion Athena will celebrate three years as champion after defeating CMLL’s Persephone last Friday.

New ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet will face Lacey Lane in a Proving Ground match where Lane must beat or draw Velvet to earn a future title match.

Zayda Steel looks for her first ROH win as she takes on Rachael Ellering.

In an eight-man tag, Shane Taylor Promotions will battle Skyflight and Komander while in a ten-man tag, it will be Dalton Castle, The Outrunners, Tommy Billington & Adam Priest vs. MxM TV and the Premier Athletes.

After each lost at Final Battle, Hechicero and Josh Woods will go one-on-one.

In trios action, Dark Order faces The Frat House while Jay Lethal, Spanish Announce Project and Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta will all be in action against opponents to be named.

**********

Final Battle has come and gone, but what will be left in it’s wake? Could it be that these last battles have not been so final? Let’s find out!

-The show opened with ROH Women’s World Champion Athena coming to the ring with Diamante and Bille Starkz. Athena has main evented three Final Battles in a row and was here to celebrate her 1000+ days as Champion.

Athena listed a few of her more notable opponents over the three years of her reign and took credit for all of ROH’s success. The crowd (well, a few in the crowd) started a “Forever” chant, and Athena said that nothing means more to her in the world than the ROH Women’s Title.

Athena then turned to Billie Starkz and berated her for not winning the Women’s Pure Championship at Final Battle. Athena said that in penance, Starks will have a tag match with Diamante as her partner against Deonna Purrazzo and a partner of her choosing.

Celebratory streamers rained down from the first few rows and everyone left.

Spanish Announce Project (Angelico and Serpentico) vs LSG and Josh Crane

And bam, just like that we were “vibing” according to Ian Riccabonni into the first match of the night.

Angelico started off against Crane and the two tried to out-muscle each other until Angelico got a wristlock on that was augmented by a stomp from Serpentico from the top rope. Serpentico went for a cover but Crane kicked out at two.

LSG got involved on the ring apron, allowing Crane to get some offense in and make the tag. LSG dropped a big elbow before tagging Crane back in for some chops. Serpentico got a hot tag to Angelico and he used his height advantage to avoid a double team.

Angelico hit a capuara kick and a big backdrop before grapevining LSG’s legs for a two count. LSG walked into a jumping flatliner, but the pin was broken up and Serpentico tagged in. SAP got both opponents into submissons and they tapped at the same time.

Match Result: Spanish Announce Project defeated Josh Crane and LSG

The Frat House (Griff Garrison, Cole Karter and Preston Vance) w/ Jakked Jameson vs The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno and John Silver)

The Frat house have a mascot called Business Bear that for some reason is feuding with Ian Riccabonni. There was a lot of shouting about it. The Dark Order wore purple as they are apt to do.

Jameson started screaming like a Steiner at Riccabonni about Business Bear and the match began with Garrison and Silver. Silver managed to keep control through interference from Vance and Karter, and tagged in Uno. Garrison worked him into the Frat House corner to take a triple team and some shots from Vance.

Jameson got up on the apron and Uno punched him, but he also got kicked to the outside to be stomped by all four Frat House Members. They threw him back into the ring and continued the beat down three on one. Uno powered up on Karter, hitting a neckbreaker to recharge the Order. Vance cut off the tag though, until Uno hit a DDT.

Reynolds and Garrison tagged in and had a quick exchange with Reynolds coming out on top. Garrison fell off the ring apron into the crowd of pledges and Reyolds flipped over the top rope onto all of them.

From there, Reynolds could only get a two count and he and Silver tried a pinning combo to no avail. A big knee from Uno delivered a big lariat to Vance and the Order tripled teamed Karter to get the pin and the victory.

Match Result: The Dark Order defeated The Frat House

Zayda Steel vs Rachael Ellering

Steel, who lost her debut, was touted as a big signing. Ellering arrived looking cheery and to some pretty hyped fans.

The two traded wristlocks with Steel taking Ellering down by the knee. Ellering tossed Steel across the ring and they had a reset. Ellering hit a shoulder tackle but Steel came right back. She threw some knees in the corner and a big dropkick to get Ellering off her feet.

Separation was created and Ellering threw a very strong lariat to take control. She threw a few hard chops and drove Steel in to the corner. Ellering hit a gutwrench suplex and a Squish senton, but Steel kicked out.

Ellering called for another Squish, but Steel countered it with a neckbreaker. Ellering charged the corner but Steel dodged it. Ellering hit a stiff elbow and big back slam followed by a bosswoman slam. Only a two count though.

Steel showed life though hitting and around the world DDT and getting the 1-2-3 to win the match.

Match Result: Zayda Steel defeated Racheal Ellering

Jay Lethal vs Nathan Cruz

Cruz was making his ROH debut, and tried to jump Lethal off the bell. He laid in some kicks but Lethal came back with an upper cut. Lethal took control, trying to get the ankle lock on. Cruz wormed his way out and tried to lure Lethal to the outside.

Lethal didn’t bite and Cruz started throwing punches and knee drops. Cruz put on a sleeper hold and brought Lethal to the mat. Lethal powered out and cruz hit a back suplex, trying to get the pin. Lethal tried a rollup but couldn’t get it to three.

Lethal hit a drang screw into the figure four and Cruz had to struggle to get to the ropes. Lethal landed a superkick into a Lethal Injection and got the victory.

Match Result: Jay Lethal defeated Nathan Cruz

Billie Starkz and Diamante vs ROH Women’s Pure Champion Deonna Purrazzo and Madison Rayne

Madison Rayne is an ROH Legend, so that’s pretty cool!

Diamante and Starkz jumped their opponents off the top, with Purrazzo getting tossed out and Rayne taking both Starkz and Diamante out.

When things settled down, Purrazzo wrapped Starkz up in a shoulder lock and Diamante broke it up. Diamante then dropped Purrazzo on her head on the ring apron.

The match went back and forth with Starkz and Purrazzo exchanging blows. Rayne reached for tag but Starkz got to Diamante first. Rayne tagged in and the two fought until Starkz broke up a cover. Rayne hit a double cutter on both Starkz and Diamante.

Starkz popped back up in time to take a flurry of offense from both Rayne and Purrazzo. Purrazzo locked in a shoulder lock and Starkz was forced to tap out.

Match Result: Deonna Purrazzo and Madison Rayne defeated Billie Starkz and Diamante

After the match, Athena stomped to the ring and yelled and screamed at Starkz over the loss. She dragged her minions away and the show transitioned into an interview with Red Velvet.

Velvet recapped her success at Final Battle and declared that the Kitchen was finally open.

Josh Woods vs Hechicero

This match was billed as a bout between wrestlers who both lost at Final Battle. Immediately it was a technical wrestlefest. Lots of quick locks and rolls with neither getting a clear advantage.

Hechicero started working the knees and ankles of Woods, with Woods finding ways to counter through roll overs. A quick reset and smattering of applause and the two were rolling through facelocks and crucifix pin attempts.

Woods stopped to offer his hand out of respect and Hechicero turned on the bralwer hitting a quick DDT and a snapmare takedown. He split Woods’ fingers and ground the pace down to a crawl with leg locks. Hechicero tossed Woods into the corner for nine punches and and elbow.

The speed picked up again with Woods running a knee into Hechicero’s throat. Woods hit a gutwrench takedown and both took time to recover.

Woods made it up first and delivered a knee. He hoisted Hechicero up, but Hechicero blocked the drop and rolled into a hammerlock triangle, forcing Woods to submit.

Match Result: Josh Woods defeated Hechicero

10-Man Tag Match: Dalton Castle, The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum), Tommy Billington and Adam Priest vs MxMxTV (Mansoor, Mason Madden & Johnny TV) w/ Taya Valkyrie and The Premier Athletes (Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari) w/ Mark Sterling

I think that is the longest match headline in recorded history.

As can be expected, this match was complete chaos. There was a full brawl before the bell even rang and then tag teams just started hitting finishers left and right. Mangnum and Mansoor had a good exchange and Magnum managed to dodge multiple splashes.

Castle and TV faced off and Castle started spamming suplexes dishing one out to everyone on the opposing team. Nese distracted Castle so Madden could get a double chokeslam attempt on the Outrunners. They countered it and dropped a couple of elbows.

Billington and Priest worked over Nese until Sterling and Valkyrie started competing to see who could distract the ref more. That allowed Nese to get suplexed by Billington in a bridge for the 1-2-3.

Match Result: Dalton Castle, The Outrunners , Tommy Billington and Adam Priest defeated MxMxTV and The Premier Athletes

-Shane Taylor Promotions cut a promo next about how they are great. And you know what? They are.

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground Match: Red Velvet (c) vs Lacey Lane

Lane is the first to challenge Velvet after she re-acquired the ROH Women’s TV Title from Mercedes Mone at Final Battle.

The two shared a respectful tie ups and locks, feeling each other out. Velvet put on a short arm scissor lock, but Lane rolled out of it and tied her up with a face lock into a crucifix pin attempt.

Velvet stacked Lane with a backslide for a 2 count and Lane got caught by a lariat off the ropes. Velvet let herself be lured in and out of the ring and right into a springboard dropkick.

Lane hit a running dropkick on Velvet in the corner, but Velvet was able to kick out. Lane stomped her and hit a spring boarg guillotine for a two count of her own.

Velvet delivered a back knee to Lane, but Lane managed to dodge the Stir It Up Kick. Lane then hit guillotine death valley driver! Velvet wouldn’t stay down though and the match continued.

The “Five Minutes Remaning” announcement sounded and that lit a fire under Velvet who hit a Mama’s Kitchen and pinning Lane to win the match.

Match result: Red Velvet defeated Lacey Lane

Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia) w/ Marina Shafir vs Aaron Solo and Willie Mack

Yuta and Solo started off which allowed Garcia to charge across the ring and take out Mack. Yuta got the jump on Solo until Solo sent him over the top rope with a backdrop. Yuta and Garcia met on the outside and beat up Solo through the ring apron before tossing him back in.

Garcia and Yuta double teamed Solo in the ring with Garcia remaining legal. Mack found his way back to his corner Solo powered out of a bunch of Garcia knees into a power slam. Mack and Yuta got tages respectively and Mack cleared the ring of both Yuta and Garcia.

Mack one hand slammed Yuta and tagged in Solo for a doiuble stomp and pin. Yuta kicked out at two though and worked Solo into a rollup with a handful of tights. Yuta and Garcia ran circles on Solo in the corner followed by a flying forearm from Yuta.

Garcia held solo for a Splash from Yuta into a dragon submission from Garcia. Solo tapped out.

Match Result: Death Riders defeated Aaron Solo and Willie Mack

8-Man Tag Match: Shane Talyor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo, Sean Dean & Lee Moriarty) vs Skyflight (Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin and Darius Martin) and Komander

Moriarty and Komander started the match. Those two will face off on Dec 26th at Boxing Day Brawl. They gave a good preview and Komander seemed to frustrate Moriarty and Brave and Dante tagged in.

They locked up and Bravo got dragged to the Skyflight corner. That brought in Darius and Ian Riccaboni shouted out Jaleel White. How about that.

Back in the match, Talor tagged in and ragdolled Dante intot he corner. Dante rolled out and Bravo stomped him until Komander scared him off. Taylor tossed Dante back into the ring over the second rope and unloaded shots on him.

Taylor isolated Dante in the STP corner and Dean tagged in to lay in some knees. Bravo hit an eye poke and stomps on Dante, holding him so Dean could kick out his arm. Dean dropped some knees the Infantry continued tagging in and out on Dante.

Dante tried to get a hot tag, but STP charged and cleared the ring of his partners. They retreated and brought Dante with them, and Dean got distracted blowing snot at Skyflight and Dante got a dropkick in. Dante got the hot tag to Komander as a result.

Komander cleared the ring, ending up with Moriarty who he started the match against. Komander planted Moriarty with an around the world DDT, but Dean broke up the pin.

Dante hit a slingshot cutter on Bravo and Komander hit a spingboard shooting start press to get the pin on Bravo and win the match.

Match result: Skyflight and Komander defeated Shane Taylor Promotions

Queen Aminata withdraws from ROH Women’s Pure title tourney semifinals, Final Battle update

Posted on by Josh Nason

The inaugural Ring of Honor Women’s Pure title tournament has its first official finalist, but not by the means they hoped.

Revealed during Thursday’s ROH Final Battle media call, Tony Khan said that Queen Aminata was not cleared by doctors Wednesday when her semifinal bout with Deonna Purrazzo was set to be taped. As a result, Aminata forfeited the match and Purrazzo has advanced to the finals at Friday’s streaming special.

Purrazzo now awaits the winner of the Yuka Sakazaki vs. Billie Starkz semifinal that airs on tonight’s ROH on HonorClub.

Aminata also had to be pulled from last month’s AEW Blood and Guts match due to a neck injury. She had only hoped to be out for a few weeks.

ROH Final Battle lineup | Friday, December 5 | Columbus, Ohio

  • Survival of the Fittest for the ROH World Championship: Bandido defends against Blake Christian, The Beast Mortos, Sammy Guevara, Komander, and Hechicero
  • ROH Women’s Championship: Athena defends against Persephone
  • Finals for the ROH Women’s Pure Championship: Deonna Purrazzo vs. TBA
  • ROH Women’s Television Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Red Velvet
  • Vacant ROH Tag Team Championship: The Beast Mortos & Sammy Guevara vs. Adam Priest & Tommy Billington
  • ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean defend against Skyfight (Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin & Darius Martin)
  • AEW National Champion Ricochet defends against Dalton Castle
  • 30-minute Iron Man match: Nigel McGuiness vs. Lee Moriarty

Deonna Purrazzo comments on her ‘surprisingly high’ PWI ranking

Posted on by Ian Carey

Deonna Purrazzo shared some comments about her PWI ranking this year.

The former TNA Knockouts Champion was ranked number 99 this year. She has been ranked as high as 12 and was at number 34 last year. However, Purrazzo mentioned on social media that this past year has been challenging for her, but that being ranked as high as she was shows that “consistency matters.”

Purrazzo wrote:

“This year tested me in ways I never expected. At times, my career felt stalled & stale and I found myself wondering if there was still a place for me in all of this. Being ranked so surprisingly high by @OfficialPWI means the world — not for validation, but because it proves that consistency matters. Showing up, even when it’s hard, counts. Someone once told me, ‘Some years are for growing, and some are for building.’ This was a building year. Next year, I bloom.”

Purrazzo’s description in the edition reads:

“Adept scientific wrestler won a series of Pure Rules matches in ROH against the likes of Rachael Ellering, Marti Belle, and Ashley Vox … Also competed for AEW, RevPro, REVOLVER, and Game Changer Wrestling … Enjoyed wins over Shazza McKenzie, Ava Lawless, and Taryn From Accounting.”

Purrazzo had her quarterfinal round match in the ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament last week. She defeated Trish Adora, which aired on last Thursday’s episode of ROH. She’s set to face Queen Aminata next in the semifinals and is now 7-0 in Pure Rules matches dating back to May. Her most recent AEW appearance was a loss to Harley Cameron on the February 26 edition of Dynamite.

Purrazzo’s comments are below:

Ring of Honor TV live results: Mascara Dorada, Deonna Purrazzo & more in action

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub features the usual mix of singles, tag team and Pure rules matches.

CMLL’s Mascara Dorada returns to ROH action as he faces Angelico while former ROH men’s TV Champion Komander battles Griff Garrison of The Frat House.

In Pure rules action, Deonna Purrazzo takes on Angelica Risk.

The Grizzled Young Veterans & Isla Dawn will be in mixed trios action while in a men’s trios about, Dark Order (Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds) take on Tommy Billington, Adam Priest & Jay Lethal.

Yuka Sakazaki teams with Alex Windsor against Billie Starkz & Aleah James.

**********

It’s once again time to dip your ladels into some hot, steamy Ring of Honor action! Tonight’s feast features the wrestler who’s fun to say, YUKA SAKAZAKI! So I’m already stoked!

Mascara Dorada (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs Angelico

Kicking things off with the smoothest man in Ring of Honor is a good start. Couple that with the human excitement that is Dorada and we’re in good shape!

Dorada started things off with a tight wristlock, keeping Angelico off his feet. The two tried a couple of staredowns, ending in a dance off and then Angelico tricked Dorada with a test of strenght and put a boot in his gut.

Dorada responded with an inside out-rana that sent Angelico to the outside. Dorada dove after him, and tossed him back into the ring. Dorada went up top for a moonsault, but Angelico got his legs up. He twisted Dorada’s arm into a side surfboard before switching to a grapevine. Dorada made it to the ropes though to break the hold.

Angelioc charged to the cornet, but Dorada dodged and hit a crossbody. A high kick sent Angelico to the mat and Dorada hit a tornado armdrag from the top turnbuckle. Angelico left the ring to get his composure, but Dorado followed with a tornado plancha through the ropes.

Dorada threw Angelico back in the ring and hit a 450 from the top turnbuckle, but it only got a two count. Dorada went up again, but Angelico caught him with a dropkick on the way down for his own two-count. Dorada hit a spin kick and then a shooting star press to get the 1-2-3!

Match Result: Mascara Dorada defeated Angelico

Next week, Dorada faces Bandido for the ROH World Championship!

Six Man Tag Team Match: Adam Priest, Jay Lethal & Tommy Billington vs The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver)

The Dark Order seem to have gone back to their purple leather jackets, which I have to say is a step down.

Anyway, Lethal and Reynolds kicked things off with a quick exchange of technical moves. Reynolds got the drop on Lethal and tagged in Silver. Uno joined them and they triple-teamed/posed over him. Silver stayed in and delivered some stiff kicks to a sitting Lethal.

Lethal got a tag to Priest who stomped Silver and delivered some European uppercuts. He and Lethal charged the Order’s corner, knocking Uno and Raynolds off the apron. Billington tagged in and threw hands a Silver working him down for a two-count.

Priest and Billington tried to double suplex Silver, but he reversed it and double suplexed them. He tagged in Uno who hit a double clothesline on Billingston and Priest. Lethal tagged in and went for a Lethal Injection, but Uno caught him with a neckbreaker/DDT combo.

The Order tossed Billington and Lethal out of the ring and tried a triple team on Priest, but Billington grabbed an ankle and the three were able to triple german suplex the order. Lethal dropped an elbow on Uno and wrapped him up in a grapevine, but he wasn’t legal.

Billington locked in a crossface on Silver and Priest grabbed a crab hold on Reynolds and all three submitted to end the match.

Match Result: Adam Priest, Jay Lethal & Tommy Billington defeated The Dark Order

-Mercedes Mone won the Interim ROH Women’s TV Title at Wrestledream. This made Red Velvet really mad and she put Mone on notice that she is ready to come back from injury and take back the title she never lost. I can almost guarantee we never see Mone defend that title on ROH TV.

Pure Rules Match: Deonna Purrazzo vs Angelica Risk

Purrazzo got the jump on Risk off the top, stomping her on the ropes in this non-Women’s Pure Championship Tournamanet Pure Rules Match.

Risk threw some hands, but Purrazzo put her in an armbar, forcing Risk to use a ropebreak at 1:28. Purrazzo went for a powerbomb, but Risk reversed it and hit a headscissor. Risk did a lot of yelling in this match as she climbed the turnbuckle. Purrazzo popped up and hung her up in a tree of woe for a big spear.

Purrazzo hit a powerbomb stack, but let up before the three count to put a Venus De Milo hold on Risk. Risk lasted about 7 seconds then tapped, giving Purrazzo the win.

Match Result: Deonna Purrazzo defeated Angelica Risk

Alex Windsor & Yuka Sakazaki vs Aleah James & Billie Starkz

After the Purazzo match, Yuka Sakazaki entered and passed her on the ramp. The two future Pure Rules Tournament opponents eyed each other as Sakazaki made her way down to the ring.

Windsor and Starkz kicked things off with Starkz sucker punching Windsor off the Code of Honor. Windsor bounced back though and sent Starkz to her corner. Sakazaki tagged in and she and Windsor took turns kicking Starkz.

Sakazaki went for a pin, but Starkz kicked out so hard, she caught Sakazaki in the back of the head with her foot. Windsor tagged back in and landed a nice armdrag, the rolled through for a dropkick. Windsor threw clotheslines at Starkz who eventually ducked and sent Windsor the ropes. James tagged in and the two took turns throwing elbows at Windsor.

James battled Windsor, who dragged her to the corner where Sakazaki went up and landed a missile dropkick. Sakazaki grabbed James for a staaaaalling suplex and then set her up for a Magic Girl Splash. Starkz tried to stop her, giving James enough time to move.

Starkz tagged herself in, blocking a tag from Sakazaki to Windsor. She hit a backbreaker on Sakazaki but got caught when Windsor re-joined to help out Sakazaki. Windsor hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, but as is tradition, it only got a two count.

Starkz went up top, but James made a blind tage to interrupting the move. While Starkz yelled at James, Sakazaki threw a headbutt, sending everyone out of the ring. Windsor threw James back in and grabbed her for a sharpshooter. She locked it in tight and James stretched for a tag from Starkz.

Starkz entertained the idea, but then hopped off the mat and left the ring, leaving James to fend for herself. Windsor grabbed James in a pumphandle slam and got the pin, 1-2-3.

Match Result: Alex Windsor & Yuka Sakazaki defeated Aleah James & Billie Starkz

-Backstage, Lethal, Billington and Priest talked about their big victory earlier in the evening, called out Blake Christian and Lee Johnson for reasons and then went to get something to eat.

Mixed Six Person Tag Team Match: Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) & Isla Dawn vs Bryce Cannon, Dream Girl Ellie & Leeroy Shogun

Gibson and Cannon were the opening pair with Gibson getting him in an abdominal stretch right away. Drake tagged in and started working Cannon’s arm, grapvining and stomping it. He invited Cannon to throw a forearm at him, which he no-sold and then started throwing lariats.

Gibson tagged back in and he and Drake double teamed until Cannon got a tag to Ellie, which brought in Dawn. Dawn dropkicked Ellie then threw a high knee followed by a front suplex. Ellie tagged Shogun, which brought in Gibson.

Shogun had a size advantage, but Gibson won their test of strength and used his speed to get an eye poke in. Drake came in on a blind tag and hit a spingboard knee on Cannon on the outside. Shogun picked up Gibson and slammed him before dropping a big elbow. He tried it again, but ran into Drake’s elbow.

Dawn tagged in and Ellie tried a clothesline, but Danw intercepted with a suplex. Cannon came in and broke up the ensuing count. Gibson grabbed him by their hair and held him for Drake. They combined for a dropckick driver and Dawn landed a slam on Ellie, getting a pin becuase I guess they were legal.

Match Result: Grizzled Young Veterans & Isla Dawn defeated Bryce Cannon, Dream Girl Ellie & Leeroy Shogun

Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs Griff Garrison (w/Cole Karter, Jacked Jameson & Preston Vance)

Komander was accompanied to the ring by Alex Abrahantes and Garrison was accompanied by a teddy bear mascot and three human bottles of baby oil in board shorts.

Garrison was cocky of the top, playing to the crowd and mocking Komander. Komander battled back thorugh and Garrison bailed from the ring. When he got back in, Komander hit a series of headscissor takedowns and sent him to the barricade. Komander went to dive out after him, but Garrison thew Abrahantes in the way and Komander had to pull back.

Garrison took advantage and sent Komander into the barricades before sending him back into the ring for a headbutt. He bodyslammed Komander and took a moment to mock him a bit more. Garrison delivered a European uppercut and that seemed to wake up Kommander who threw a flurry of hands at Garrison.

Kmander went too close to the ropes and Vance punched him about it, sending him back to Garrison who threw Komander out on the other side of the ring. Karter and Jameson were waiting and laid a beating into Komander along with Bernard the Business Bear.

Garrison thew Komander back into the ring and threw him with a big suplex before playing to the crowd a bit more. Garrison went for another one but Komander reversed it and laid some kicks into his gut followed by a backstabber.

Komander hit a running Spanish Fly that looked amazing and got a two count off the landing. He went up for a 450, but took too long and Garrison moved. He went for a facebreaker, but Komander countered and went for a spingboard. Garrison caught him comgin down with a big punch and pendulum facebuster, but Komander kicked out at two.

Garrison lifted Komander up for a torture rack, but Komander flipped out of it and tried another springboard, but Garrison caught him and turned it into a torture rack slam for another two count.

Garrison went for a discus forearm, but Komander caught him with a kick. Komander went up top, but Vance pulled him down. Komander grabbed him and sent him up the ramp with a wristlock takeover. He ran back to the ring to be whipped to the corner by Garrison.

Komander used his momentum to leap over the rope and take out the extra members of the Frat House. Everyone brales for a bit and then Komander got a springboard DDT on Garrison in the ring. Komander hit his springboard 450 and pinned Garrison for the win.

Match Result: Komander defeated Griff Garrison

Interesting night of wrestling! The matches were fun this week with regulars like Angelico seeming to put a little extra newness into their work. Fun main event and next week it’s Bandido v Dorada 2, which should be incredible!

Tony Khan ROH media call: Chris Jericho & Deonna Purrazzo’s futures, Philly unions

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

What was meant to be a 30-minute call between AEW/ROH head Tony Khan and the media to promote Friday’s Death Before Dishonor went into overtime due to an extended reply about the future of Deonna Purrazzo.

Full audio of the call is available below where he also talked about Chris Jericho and the Philadelphia union situation.

Khan was asked about why Purrazzo hasn’t been around and after dancing around answering the question, he finally got into it, confirming previous stories that she went to CMLL (last December) and “had an experience that wasn’t positive.”

He said that he wanted to work her back in at Death Before Dishonor, but that injuries and circumstances have affected the women’s Pure title tournament greatly “putting it mildly.” He said it’s ok if something doesn’t go well and if one match doesn’t go right, it doesn’t mean everything ends.

He confirmed she will be part of the tournament, but did not say whether she will work Friday’s show.

Women’s Pure title tournament updates

During the near 17-minute response about Purrazzo, Khan said that a quarter of the women that worked in the women’s casino gauntlet match ended up hurt afterward that appeared to affect the tournament.

He then said his bracket for the women’s Pure title tournament was set and then this week, he had to hold off on announcements due to injuries. He then talked about Queen Aminata and how her passport getting stolen affected plans for Wednesday, but that it looks like she will be free for Friday’s show.

He said Purrazzo, Aminata, and Serena Deeb are in the tournament and it sounded like the bracket could be revealed soon.

Chris Jericho’s AEW future

Amid online rumors and discourse regarding Jericho’s future and a possible jump to WWE when his deal ends at year’s end, Khan was asked about Jericho & potentially returning. Khan put over his legacy and that he’s grateful to Jericho and thinks of the world of him.

“If and when the time presents itself, I would love to have him back. He’s always in the highest of standing in AEW or ROH,” Khan said.

Philadelphia union controversy

Asked about the Philadelphia union issue regarding the 2300 Arena that arose Wednesday, Khan quickly said he has nothing to say on it.

Other Notes:

  • Khan said he had plans for Syuri in ROH, but she got hurt in her first appearance.
  • Khan said Nick Wayne will be back soon enough where there isn’t a need for an interim men’s ROH TV Champion.
  • Khan said there is nothing new on an ROH TV deal and that while he has had offers, any deal would have to make sense in “the big picture” with AEW and that he would hope any deal “would be in the framework of the AEW/WBD relationship.”

Click here to listen

Deonna Purrazzo addresses body shaming, praises AEW’s tuition reimbursement program

Posted on by Ian Carey

Deonna Purrazzo recently opened up about a variety of topics in a new interview.

Speaking with SoCal Val for WrestlingNewsCo, Purrazzo discussed handling body shaming from fans, AEW’s tuition reimbursement program, and more.

Purrazzo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University in August 2023 while wrestling for TNA. She told SoCal Val that AEW’s support for her continuing education played a role in her decision to sign with the company in early 2024.

She said:

“AEW is so great in encouraging us to go back to school.”

“They have a program where they reimburse us for our tuition up to a certain amount every year.”

“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.”

Purrazzo also addressed the impact of body shaming from online commenters.

“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.”

“Those aren’t the people, and I don’t need to focus on those people.”

“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.”

Purrazzo debuted as a full-time AEW talent on the January 2, 2024 episode of Dynamite in her home state of New Jersey. Her most recent match under the AEW/ROH banner was in June on ROH TV, where she defeated Rachael Ellering in a Pure Rules match. She last appeared on AEW programming on the February 26 edition of Dynamite, losing to Harley Cameron.

Purrazzo’s full interview is available below:

Willow Nightingale shows support for Deonna Purrazzo amid online body-shaming

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Willow Nightingale is showing support for one of her AEW colleagues who faced hateful comments from social media trolls over the weekend.

After having a great experience competing against Jonathan Gresham for Game Changer Wrestling on Saturday, Deonna Purrazzo had to deal with body-shaming comments from some users on X/Twitter. The body-shaming that women’s wrestlers too often face became a discussion point after Purrazzo clapped back at someone who claimed that she “let herself go.”

Nightingale joined in on that discussion, praising the Purrazzo vs. Gresham match. Body-shaming is something that Nightingale has experienced herself, but she’s still hoping that people will choose to be kind to one another instead of spreading hate.

“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,” Nightingale wrote.

“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?”

Purrazzo responded by expressing appreciation for Nightingale and everyone else who has supported her.

“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,” Purrazzo tweeted. “Love will always outweigh hate.”

Purrazzo is signed to AEW, where she competes both in AEW and ROH. She’s also been working a slate of indie dates recently.

During a recent appearance on the Mighty Pursuit podcast, Purrazzo opened up about a January 2024 experience with online body-shaming that has left her “terrified” to put on gear and get into the ring because of the hateful comments she received. Purrazzo said she hopes people can be more thoughtful with their words and realize that everyone is fighting their own battles.