Deonna Purrazzo and Her Impact on Women’s Wrestling

Deonna Purrazzo has played a significant role in revitalizing the women’s division of Ring of Honor (ROH) since she joined in 2015. Back then, she was part of one of the company’s first female matches in nearly a decade.

She spent three years with ROH before making a return to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2024. At this point, AEW had acquired Ring of Honor, turning it into a sister company. When she came back to ROH, Purrazzo was chosen for a tournament to crown the first ROH Women’s Pure Champion.

In December, she triumphed over Billy Starks, and has held onto the title ever since. Recently, with a wave of new talent entering the free agent scene, Purrazzo shared her thoughts on the opportunities for female wrestlers in Ring of Honor, which she feels is crucial for its growth.

“I think the great thing about ‘Ring of Honor’ is that it’s a little bit under the radar,” Purrazzo mentioned. “It’s really about developing stories and showcasing your personality, which might differ from being on Dynamite weekly. We have some fantastic women’s wrestling on Ring of Honor, with multiple women’s matches each week. It certainly deserves more recognition for what it represents in women’s wrestling.”

The women’s division, established 11 years ago, has seen growth and potential. “It’s vital to see women progress and evolve regularly. If more people could notice that, it might help elevate awareness in the public eye,” she said.

Athena currently leads the ROH women’s division, having held the ROH Women’s World Championship for over 1,200 days. Meanwhile, Red Velvet has been the ROH Women’s World Television Champion for over 150 days.

Purrazzo is active outside the ring as well. She and her husband, Steve Maclin—who’s also in the wrestling scene—are slated to host an event called Battle for the Brave on June 6, which aims to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

In a recent interview, Purrazzo spoke about her commitment to supporting veterans, especially being a military spouse. Maclin served in the U.S. Marine Corps. She reflected on how the events of 9/11 impacted her growing up and emphasized the sense of unity it fostered, which still resonates with her today.

“When Steve shared his experiences from his service, it ignited a passion in me to tell veterans that while war does come home, it doesn’t have to define them,” she explained. “Steve was fortunate to find wrestling right after leaving the Marines— it helped him avoid getting lost.”

She added, “Veterans face a unique struggle that’s often overlooked. With averages indicating that 22 veterans die daily, it highlights a crisis of identity post-service. Supporting our veterans is essential, showing them that our country stands by them and provides the necessary resources for a fulfilling life after service.”