AEW star Deonna Purrazzo recently reflected on her historic rivalry in TNA Wrestling with the legendary “Hardcore Country” Mickie James. The feud between the two was a cornerstone of the TNA Knockouts division and culminated in the first-ever women’s main event of a TNA pay-per-view, a Texas Death Match at the Hard To Kill 2022 event. This match, and the entire storyline, is remembered as a significant moment in modern women’s wrestling, pushing boundaries and showcasing a level of intensity that set a new standard. For Purrazzo, it was not just a career highlight but a profound learning experience that she continues to draw from today.
Speaking with former TNA Knockout SoCal Val for a WrestlingNewsCo interview, “The Virtuosa” had high praise for her former rival, acknowledging the immense knowledge she gained from working with the multi-time WWE Women’s Champion.
“We had so much fun, because I think Mickie is genuinely a trailblazer for women in this industry, and to be able to work with her, you are learning so much, not even just listening to her talk, but being in the ring with her and feeling around with her and telling these stories. The crowd obviously just loves her so much that it made me not even have to try to be a bad guy, because they were instantly like, ‘Oh, we love her, and we don’t like you.’”
The experience of working with a seasoned veteran like James in such a high-pressure, main-event program was invaluable for Purrazzo. The natural dynamic between the beloved babyface veteran and the cocky heel champion created an electric atmosphere that made their story compelling.
H/T to Fightful for the transcription. Thanks for checking out this article. Make sure to follow Jeff Jarrett and all things GFE on Facebook.