In a recent appearance on the “AEW Unrestricted” podcast, Deonna Purrazzo commented on her AEW debut and how it finally convinced her father to become a wrestling fan after many, many years of him not understanding it.
Purrazzo, who debuted for AEW last month at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, said the following:
“There was one moment that my dad finally got it. I made him come to Hammerstein Ballroom for a Ring Of Honor show. He has a co-worker who is a really big wrestling fan and he was like, ‘Can Mike come to the show?’ I said, ‘The only way I’ll get Mike a ticket is if you come with him. You’re done dodging me.’ He walked in, and I’m really glad this was his first experience, because Hammerstein is huge right? At that time with Bullet Club & The Elite, the whole audience was covered in Bullet Club shirts and he just kinda looked around like, ‘I get it.’ I had wrestled and then I went and got popcorn and drinks and I went and sat with him and his friend for the rest of the show. He was like, ‘Cody Rhodes is wrestling. You didn’t tell me you knew Cody Rhodes, that’s Dusty Rhodes’ son.’ I was like, ‘I did not know that you knew who Dusty Rhodes was.’ I had this really cool bonding experience like, oh, you do know a little bit about wrestling and you maybe pretended that you didn’t. Fast forward now, I make my [AEW] debut, there’s my dad crying. When Renee came to the back, he had said to me, ‘I think I’m a wrestling fan now.’ What other place can you go to and you can cheer and you can boo and you can say nasty things about people and everyone else in the audience is doing it, and you’re not being judged. He had the time of his life at Prudential Center and there’s only been a few times where I’ve seen my dad so happy and so free and loose and excited. My wedding day was one of them, and Prudential Center in Newark was the other time.“
Deonna Purrazzo’s AEW Debut Converts Her Father into a Wrestling Fan
Professional wrestling has long been a source of entertainment for millions of fans around the world. However, there are still some individuals who fail to understand the appeal of this unique form of sports entertainment. Deonna Purrazzo, a talented wrestler who recently made her debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), shared a heartwarming story about how her AEW debut finally convinced her father to become a wrestling fan after years of skepticism.
During an appearance on the “AEW Unrestricted” podcast, Purrazzo revealed that her father had never quite grasped the concept of professional wrestling. In an effort to change his perspective, she invited him to attend a Ring of Honor show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Purrazzo’s father initially hesitated, but she made a deal with him – he could only attend if he brought along a co-worker who was already a passionate wrestling fan.
As they entered the Hammerstein Ballroom, Purrazzo’s father was greeted by a sea of fans wearing Bullet Club shirts. This was during the time when Bullet Club and The Elite were dominating the wrestling scene. The sight of the passionate crowd and the electric atmosphere finally made something click for Purrazzo’s father. He turned to his daughter and said, “I get it.”
Purrazzo took advantage of this newfound understanding and spent the rest of the show sitting with her father and his friend. They watched Cody Rhodes, son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, perform in the ring. To her surprise, her father recognized Cody Rhodes and mentioned his connection to Dusty Rhodes, showing that he had more knowledge about wrestling than he let on.
Fast forward to Deonna Purrazzo’s AEW debut at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. As she made her way backstage after her match, she was met with an unexpected sight – her father in tears. Overwhelmed by the experience, he confessed to Purrazzo that he had become a wrestling fan. He had found a place where he could freely express his emotions, cheer for his favorites, and engage in the lively atmosphere without fear of judgment.
Purrazzo’s father’s newfound love for wrestling brought her immense joy. She compared his happiness and excitement at the Prudential Center to the joy he experienced on her wedding day. It was a special bonding moment for them, as they discovered a shared passion that had previously gone unnoticed.
This heartwarming story highlights the power of professional wrestling to captivate and convert even the most skeptical individuals. It showcases how the live experience, the energy of the crowd, and the emotional connection to the performers can create a transformative experience for both fans and non-fans alike.
Deonna Purrazzo’s AEW debut not only marked a significant milestone in her career but also served as a catalyst for her father’s newfound appreciation for professional wrestling. It is a testament to the universal appeal of this form of entertainment and the ability of wrestling to bring people together in unexpected ways.