Deonna Purrazzo Calls For More Women In Wrestling Creative And Behind-The-Scenes Roles

Deonna Purrazzo believes women’s wrestling has made significant progress on television but says the industry still needs more women in behind-the-scenes decision-making roles.

Speaking with The Ledgera magazine, Purrazzo discussed the changes she has been proud to witness throughout her career. She also identified areas where professional wrestling needs to improve.

She noted that women received fewer opportunities two decades ago, often lacking the time, investment, and storylines needed to headline major events. Purrazzo pointed to her own career as an example of that progress. During her time with TNA/Impact, she main-evented three pay-per-views and became Impact’s first Iron Woman. (via Fightful)

“I’m most proud of how normal it has become to see women in stipulation matches and main-eventing television and pay-per-views. Twenty years ago, women often weren’t given the time, investment or storylines necessary to warrant those opportunities. Now, we’ve proven over and over again that when the work warrants the spotlight, women can deliver in it. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience that progress firsthand. I main-evented three PPVs during my time in TNA/IMPACT and became the first-ever Iron Woman of IMPACT. I main-evented AEW Dynamite while under contract with TNA, defending the ROH Women’s World Championship. In AEW, I was one half of the first-ever televised women’s Texas Bullrope match. Last year, we saw the first women’s Blood & Guts match, and in ROH, Athena has main-evented PPV after PPV. I’ve always believed women shouldn’t be given the spotlight simply because we’re women. We should be given it because the work we’ve done warrants it. What we’re seeing now is evidence that women’s wrestling draws fans’ attention and deserves the same opportunities as the men because, every time we’re given one, we continue to deliver.”

However, Purrazzo believes the progress should extend beyond the ring. She also described professional wrestling as an industry that can still feel like a boys’ club, particularly in influential roles. She specifically called for more women in creative, talent relations, agent, and producer positions.

“Where I think we still have work to do is behind the scenes. Wrestling can still feel like a boys’ club, especially when it comes to positions of influence and decision-making. I’d like to see more women in creative, more women in talent relations, and more women working as agents and producers. We’ve proven that women belong in every position in front of the camera. Now, I’d like to see that same progress reflected in the people helping shape what happens behind it.”

Deonna Purrazzo is currently signed to AEW and Ring of Honor. She is a three-time former Impact Knockouts World Champion, a one-time ROH Women’s World Champion, and the inaugural and current ROH Women’s Pure Champion.