Deonna Purrazzo had a “bad” time during her tenure working on the WWE NXT brand.
Speaking on a recent edition of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, The Virtuosa commented on her time working on the gold brand from early 2018 to April of 2020 and eventually requesting her release from the company.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On her time in NXT: “It was bad. I had so much experience working with WWE in an extra role, … I had been on ‘Raw’ and ‘SmackDown’ actually wrestling, [and] I had then been on ‘NXT’ TV a ton. I just felt like, not that I earned more when I got there than I was given, but there was a respect level that I thought would carry over now that I got the job, I think. I found out real quick that it didn’t matter that I had done all those things.”
On not getting any feedback on how to improve: “Finally, I just [reached] a breaking point. [I was] like, ‘This isn’t working for anybody. It’s sure as hell not working for me, so either you’re going to tell me what I’m doing wrong and I can fix it, so I can be on TV, because I came here to be a TV star, or I’m not going to be a TV star and you should just let me go.’”
On becoming someone she wasn’t due to the frustration: “I remember sitting in someone’s office in a screaming fight. That’s not who I am. Deonna Purrazzo — the professional — doesn’t do that, but now I’m like [New] Jersey Deonna, angry at home, and you don’t want to bring that to work.”
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Deonna Purrazzo Opens Up About Her Time in WWE NXT
Deonna Purrazzo, also known as “The Virtuosa,” recently spoke about her experience working on the WWE NXT brand during a podcast interview. The professional wrestler, who was with NXT from early 2018 to April 2020, shed light on her frustrations and eventual decision to request her release from the company.
Purrazzo expressed her disappointment with her time in NXT, describing it as “bad.” Despite having prior experience working with WWE in various roles, including appearances on “Raw,” “SmackDown,” and “NXT” TV, she felt that she didn’t receive the respect she expected after joining the brand full-time. She believed that her previous accomplishments would carry over and earn her a higher level of recognition, but quickly realized that wasn’t the case.
One of Purrazzo’s main grievances was the lack of feedback she received on how to improve. She felt frustrated by the absence of guidance and direction from the company. Eventually, she reached a breaking point and confronted the situation head-on. She demanded that WWE either provide her with constructive criticism so she could make the necessary improvements to be featured on TV or let her go.
The frustration she experienced in NXT even led to a moment where she found herself in a heated argument in someone’s office, which was out of character for her. Purrazzo admitted that she became someone she wasn’t due to the mounting frustration and stress. She referred to this alter ego as “New Jersey Deonna,” highlighting how the negative environment affected her both personally and professionally.
Despite her challenging experience in NXT, Purrazzo has moved on and continues to pursue her wrestling career. She has found success outside of WWE, competing in various promotions and making a name for herself in the industry.
This candid interview with Deonna Purrazzo sheds light on the behind-the-scenes struggles that wrestlers may face in their careers. It highlights the importance of communication, feedback, and a supportive environment for performers to thrive and reach their full potential. As fans, it’s crucial to understand and appreciate the challenges that wrestlers go through to entertain us in the ring.