Former Knockouts World Champion Deonna Purrazzo has high praise for the locker room in TNA Wrestling, calling it the best and most comfortable environment she has ever been a part of in her career. Speaking on the Muscle Memory podcast, she compared the “family” atmosphere of TNA to the more competitive nature of AEW and NXT.
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When asked about the differences between the major North American companies she’s worked for, Purrazzo was definitive. “I just feel like, hands down, like the TNA locker room is the best locker room I’ve ever been a part of,” she stated. “There’s just this real camaraderie that is so rare, and I think it stems from TNA always kind of being that underdog and that land of misfit toys and… we all always had a chip on our shoulder.”
She described an atmosphere that went beyond professional respect into genuine friendship. “It just creates this really fun environment where it’s, how can we push each other? How can we be more creative together? How can we come together as a family?” she recalled. “They always celebrate people’s birthdays, and, you know, they threw Steve [Maclin] and I a little like, pre-wedding party… we threw baby showers and house warmings and and always had fun together as a family. And so that’s the best locker room I’ve been a part of, where I felt the most comfortable and the most like calm.”
Purrazzo contrasted this with her experience in AEW, which she feels is more akin to her time in NXT. “Transitioning to AEW, I think, is probably a lot similar to that NXT locker room where it’s like, it’s highly competitive,” she explained. “There’s only so many spots for women, and if it’s not you that week, you want it to be you.”
She addressed online criticism she receives for wanting more television time, clarifying her position. “Of course I want those opportunities. Of course I want it to be me, but I’m not upset that it’s anyone else,” she said. “I’m not a competitive person in that way where I’m like, my hard work will get me noticed eventually.”
Purrazzo is preparing for her return to Ring of Honor television as a participant in the tournament to crown the first-ever ROH Women’s Pure Champion. The tournament will put her acclaimed technical wrestling skills on full display.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Muscle Man Malcolm with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
