Deonna Purrazzo on AEW’s Support for Education & Overcoming Online Body Shaming
Deonna Purrazzo,a prominent star in both AEW and ROH,recently opened up about her experiences navigating the world of professional wrestling,offering insights into her academic pursuits and the challenges of dealing with negativity online. Her conversation with SoCal Val sheds light on the supportive environment at AEW and her journey toward self-acceptance.
AEW’s Investment in its Talent: Tuition Reimbursement
Purrazzo’s decision to sign with AEW wasn’t solely based on wrestling opportunities. A important factor was the company’s commitment to supporting its performers’ personal growth,specifically through a tuition reimbursement program.She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University in 2023, even while actively competing in TNA. Now, she’s halfway through pursuing her Master’s degree, a feat made possible by AEW’s financial assistance.
Here’s what Purrazzo shared about the program:
AEW actively encourages wrestlers to continue their education.
The company reimburses tuition costs up to a certain amount annually.
This support was a major draw for purrazzo, allowing her to pursue a Master’s degree without financial strain.
The process has been “easy and seamless,” demonstrating AEW’s genuine commitment to its talent’s well-being.
This initiative highlights a progressive approach to talent management, recognizing that wrestlers are individuals with lives and ambitions beyond the ring.
Confronting & overcoming Body Shaming
Beyond career advancements,Purrazzo bravely addressed the issue of body shaming she’s faced from online fans. Dealing with harsh criticism is a reality for manny public figures, and Purrazzo’s experience offers valuable lessons in resilience.
She initially struggled with the negativity, but ultimately realized the comments came from individuals who weren’t genuine supporters. this shift in perspective was crucial to her mental health.
Here’s how she navigated the situation:
Recognizing the Source: Purrazzo understood that those leaving hurtful comments weren’t invested in her success – they weren’t buying tickets to her matches.
Therapy & Support: She credits therapy, conversations with friends, family, and her husband, Steve Maclin (TNA International Champion), with building her strength. reclaiming Power: Purrazzo actively chose not to let the negativity consume her, refusing to give online trolls the power to affect her emotional state.
Finding Humor: She’s now able to approach the situation with a sense of humor, a testament to her personal growth.
“No one on Twitter is keeping me up anymore at night,” she stated, emphasizing her newfound ability to prioritize her well-being.
Recent Appearances & Background
Purrazzo last wrestled on ROH programming in June. Her most recent AEW appearance was on the February 26th episode of Dynamite, where she faced Harley Cameron.She debuted in AEW on January 3, 2024, at the Prudential Center in her home state of New Jersey. A decorated competitor, Purrazzo is a three-time TNA knockouts Champion.You can watch the full interview with socal Val here:
