Deonna Purrazzo was originally booked to compete at the first All In event in 2018but that changed fast once WWE got involved.
Purrazzo had been announced for the show in the spring of that year, after appearing regularly across major promotions like Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling. She was one of the first women confirmed for the card, and even appeared at the All In press conference in May 2018. But behind the scenes, she had already agreed to a WWE deal and was headed to NXT.
Although she wanted to compete at All In, sources revealed to Fighful Select that WWE made it clear that participation in the event would jeopardize her contract. As a result, she was quietly pulled from the show and didnt speak at the press event, despite being present.
Purrazzo wrapped up her Women of Honor appearances by July and began wrestling for WWE by mid-August. The match she was originally set for ultimately featured Tessa Blanchard defeating Britt Baker, Chelsea Green, and Madison Rayne. There was even a pitch from talent at one point to make it a TNA Knockouts Title match, but that idea didnt get approval.
Purrazzos removal from All In became one of several instances where WWE intervened in outside bookings ahead of AEWs formation.
Do you think WWE made the right call pulling her from AEWAll In? Or should they have let her work the show before heading to WWE NXT? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
