Just one day before Deonna Purrazzo’s surprising appearance at ROH Death Before Dishonor 2025, AEW and ROH President Tony Khan opened up about her current situation with the company, addressing her extended absence from AEW and ROH programming. Purrazzo, who made a strong initial impact by quickly challenging for the AEW Women’s World Championship after signing in early 2024, has been noticeably absent from AEW TV since January 2025 and from ROH since June 2025. Khan’s detailed comments shed light on the reasons behind this hiatus and his intentions moving forward.

According to Khan’s statements during the ROH Death Before Dishonor media call on August 28, 2025, Purrazzo remains a highly valued talent in AEW’s eyes, despite recent setbacks. “I think Deonna is a really, really great wrestler,” Khan emphasized. “When she came into AEW, she had a lot of success. And I think she still could find her footing here and do really, really well.” This positive assessment contrasts with fans’ concerns over her long absence and the scrapped plans for a Women’s Pure Championship tournament in ROH that she was expected to feature prominently in[1][2][4].

Khan revealed that one major factor affecting Purrazzo’s momentum was her challenging experience wrestling in Mexico for the CMLL promotion, which is one of AEW’s international partners. “Deonna had gone down to Mexico, and again, this is something that I think you can grow and learn from, but had an experience down there that wasn’t positive with our partners,” Khan explained. He alluded to a match Purrazzo had in CMLL last year that contributed to these difficulties and ultimately influenced her bookings back in AEW and ROH[1][2][3].

Despite this, Khan made clear that a single setback would not determine Purrazzo’s future in AEW and ROH. “I really want to get Deonna going again. It’s okay if something doesn’t go well, and I want to give somebody an opportunity to come back from something,” he said. He underscored his appreciation for Purrazzo’s professionalism and recent positive comments about AEW, reinforcing that the promotion brought her in for her talent and potential to thrive over the long term[2][4].

Sources close to AEW indicate that Khan’s approach reflects a broader company philosophy of giving wrestlers multiple opportunities to develop and rebound from setbacks, rather than writing off talent after one or two missteps. Purrazzo has remained active on the independent circuit during her AEW/ROH absence, continuing to hone her craft[1]. Her unexpected ROH Death Before Dishonor appearance has fueled speculation that the company may soon reintegrate her more fully on television.

Industry insiders from Fightful and Wrestling Inc. suggest that AEW plans to feature Purrazzo in upcoming storylines and potentially revive the Women’s Pure Championship tournament that was never officially launched this year. AEW’s working relationships with international promotions like CMLL remain complex but are seen as important for talent exchange and growth opportunities[2][4].

Tony Khan’s transparency in discussing Purrazzo’s situation represents one of the more candid updates on a wrestler’s status in AEW in 2025. His frank acknowledgment of the hurdles she faced and his desire to support her comeback signals hope for fans eager to see Purrazzo return to prominence.

As of September 2025, WWE.com, Fightful, and other wrestling news outlets anticipate that Deonna Purrazzo’s ROH Death Before Dishonor appearance marks the first step in an AEW storyline reset — one that could re-establish her among AEW’s elite female competitors. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for her next moves in AEW and ROH programming.

A WWE insider familiar with contract negotiations also noted, “Tony Khan values proven ring talent and knows the importance of patience with wrestlers navigating international bookings. Purrazzo’s skill set is undeniable; it’s just about timing and storyline fit now.” This insider’s perspective aligns with Khan’s public statements about wanting to give her a strong second chance.

In summary, Tony Khan confirms that while Deonna Purrazzo faced hurdles related to international partnerships and a difficult experience in Mexico, AEW and ROH remain committed to her as a performer with potential to thrive again. Her recent stint away from AEW and ROH TV is a temporary hold as plans are refined to reintroduce her. Purrazzo’s return could be imminent and is likely to involve significant storyline involvement, much to the excitement of AEW’s women’s wrestling fans.

This development highlights AEW’s evolving approach to women’s division talent management in 2025, focusing on skill development, international exposure, and storyline coherence — with Deonna Purrazzo as a key figure in the division’s near-future plans. Fans will want to follow official AEW programming and media calls closely for updates on her comeback and the trajectory of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament.

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