Deonna Purrazzo: I’m Still Earning My Place In Women’s Wrestling But I Have Mickie James’ Respect

Deonna Purrazzo talks about working with Mickie James.

Deonna Purrazzo and Mickie James have a rivalry that has earned them a spot in the history books of IMPACT Wrestling. At Hard to Kill 2022, they became the first women to main event a pay-per-view for IMPACT with their Texas Deathmatch.

Now, in a new interview with Steve Muehlhausen of DAZN, Deonna Purrazzo is opening up about her relationship with Mickie James and earning her respect.

“I think Mickie just has such a connection with the wrestling fan base. It’s just not the IMPACT fan base but just wrestling in general,” Deonna Purrazzo said. “She’s been doing this for 20-plus years. She’s done everything there is to do. But she just keeps this hunger about her. I think that any wrestling fan can just appreciate her for what she’s done and what she continues to do and what she continues to push for (in) women’s wrestling. I admire her for keeping that hunger and wanting to do more and more and never being satisfied. But I think our dynamics are Mickie just walked in the door and attacked ‘The Virtuosa.’ I was the Knockouts World Champion and because she has these relationships with Scott (D’Amore) and our management.”

Speaking of her own legacy, Deonna Purrazzo does she still has a chip on her shoulder about earning her place in women’s wrestling but she truly believes she has earned Mickie James’ respect. 

“I’m still hungry. But for all these different reasons,” she said. “I still feel very much have a chip on my shoulder. Trying to earn my respect. Earn my place in women’s wrestling. But Mickie’s already there.

“There’s just this interesting dynamic I think of generations of she wants respect and she’s earned respect. But I want respect and I’m earning that respect. There’s just this natural butting of heads. Like I said, I admire her for keeping that hunger about her and never settling for what we’re given, always pushing for more for herself, for any company she’s in for women’s wrestling. I grew up wanting to be in the position I’m in. I wouldn’t be there and it wouldn’t be possible without people like Mickie James,” she added.

Mickie James recently defeated Deonna Purrazzo and is now on her way to Hard to Kill 2023 where she will challenge Jordynne Grace. Learn more here.