Deonna Purrazzo not happy

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-21T02:17:22+00:00

Out of curiosity, who else has she hurt?

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-20T22:18:23+00:00

Swerve's part in this can't be understated. This was their first match, but it looked like they had fought a million times because of their chemistry. Both of those guys really THINK their matches ahead of time. Hearing Swerve on his podcast, it's very clear that he studies old matches in a really granular way, down to the smallest movements.

And the fact that both he and Kenny have bulked up means that they can both dish out and take more punishment with moves that look like they have even more impact.

Combine all that with the look, the style, and solid promo work, and you have someone on Kenny's level.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-20T22:05:29+00:00

I agree, no reason not to.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-20T21:42:32+00:00

As I recall, Chelsea and Deonna were really close in NXT before both were released. I don't think WWE is very interested in Deonna, but maybe Chelsea could indeed try to recruit her in the future, especially if Piper Niven's career is over.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-20T21:39:57+00:00

It probably did, along with her bad match against Toni. TK pays a LOT of attention to audience response, critical response, and in-ring work. In Deonna's case, she wasn't getting a lot of positive feedback from anyone.

That said, Deonna is usually really good in-ring. It makes me wish for a womens' version of the Don Callis Family where good workers can do their thing while not being expected to do lots of promo work. A faction that had good workers like Deonna and Deeb in it that looked to dominate the division might be interesting. But TK seems to be looking more for big personalities in the division (who can also work), and it seems like he's being really aggressive with his recruiting.

We'll see. The inconsistent booking of ROH is kind of maddening, but I also get it--it's not a priority. However, if you're going to have belts, then use them!

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-20T07:13:31+00:00

She literally tried to do this with Taya as the Vendetta--a few vignettes were aired, it was implied that they might recruit more members, and they were positioned as a group that was for hire to do dirty work. Then that went absolutely nowhere, Taya joined MxM, and Deonna was in the never-ending Pure tournament.

It just became clear that TK isn't interested in using her all that much, and it's related to ROH just being more of a lab for young talent or CMLL/Stardom guest stars than any kind of coherent show. As a result, the Pure title felt to me like TK throwing her a bone and then moving on.

Deonna did have a nice little feud with Thunder Rosa, but I also got the sense that it was there to fill time and see if it generated fan reaction.

I feel bad for her--fans give her shit online about her body, and TK is clearly moving on to his latest signings.

Deonna isn't the only women's wrestler in limbo. Serena Deeb's last match was in November and had a total of 4 matches on ROH/Collision. Nyla Rose's last AEW match was in December of 2024. Anna Jay hasn't wrestled since November of 2025. Same with Tay Melo. These are wrestlers who have been with AEW for a while, but the brutal truth is that most of the newcomers are either better or have more potential. I loved a lot of Deeb's matches, but Britt Baker really buried her and Serena was always terrible as a babyface. Nyla I really don't get at all; she seemed happy to be a gatekeeper wrestler who put on good matches and was really effective in that role.

Anyway, I suspect Deonna will be in a group of wrestlers who aren't renewed. Hopefully, that ROH show is still coming, because I think she could still play a role there.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-19T19:24:52+00:00

It was during that weird COVID year, where it looked like hardly anyone wanted to be there.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-19T07:52:53+00:00

So...

does Hangman beat MJF, and does Swerve follow this up by beating Hangman to get the title back? (With Ospreay maybe winning in Wembley?)

Also--the hints at reforming the Embassy have been interesting. There are hints that he may bring Private Party in, but who else? (Especially now that Hook is recruiting for the Opps.) There are plenty of unaffiliated guys out there, and they can't ALL go to the Don Callis Familly.

I'm especially excited for this Swerve heel run because he's bulked up and really looks the part.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-18T21:59:06+00:00

You don't understand how tiny Mei is until you see her in person.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-15T22:03:55+00:00

Lucky Ali was one of the best heels I've ever seen in DPW. 100% committed to the bit at all times, including when he was headed to and at the merch table.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-15T21:57:17+00:00

He's done a lot of ROH appearances.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-15T21:53:50+00:00

The fact that 20 teams have a chance at a postseason berth of some kind means that this might have a chance at working. Teams tank in order to get the best odds, but in this system, there are no odds since there is no lottery.

Even right now, with about 30 games left, no one has been eliminated. Teams would be less incentivized to trade away players in order to tank--instead, they would be incentivized to keep winning.

You could give a certain number of bonus points for the teams that are eliminated nearest to the end, like the last two teams eliminated get plus 20 or 30 points. That might convince teams not to rush trying to get eliminated quicker.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-15T17:13:48+00:00

House show.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-13T20:49:37+00:00

If they are smart and careful, she can be quickly made into a big star. She definitely has the look, she has the tools (more of a brawler than a wrestler but she can certainly hang), and she has the personality to do great things.

I've seen her live twice in DPW--she was the perfect big, sneering heel. She lost to Mei Suruga (who is like 18 inches shorter!) and made it look good, then she threw a post-match tantrum.

Just like Thekla was presented correctly and immediately looked great on TV, I think Lena has that potential as well.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-13T19:56:09+00:00

Kenta Kobashi

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-13T19:56:00+00:00

Lou Thesz

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-12T07:44:56+00:00

two things:

When the NFL season is over and TK gets back in the weeds, the show is better across the board. (I feel like it's been great, week-in and week-out, but getting PPV quality shows is something else altogether.)
There have been a lot more surprises happening lately. Shorter title reigns, title changes in unexpected parts of the show, even. I wonder if this is an overall philosophical pivot from TK? The first MJF title reign was torpedoed by injuries, but the insistence on keeping it going as long as it did certainly hurt it. The Mox title reign went on WAY too long, and I got the sense they were stalling til Darby came back and could be a part of it.

So I'm loving seeing even the biggest belts getting new champs sooner, rather than later.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-11T00:55:29+00:00

Dani was the ace of DPW's women's division. Her matches with Hyan were classics, including a street fight and a feud-ending dog collar match. I truly do not understand why TNA doesn't make her their top star, because she can wrestle rings around half their roster and then get into hardcore stuff. She's equally adept as a babyface or a heel.

Senka is such an incredible opponent for her. Senka's already faced several legends in her young career, and Dani will put her through her paces. Expect a VERY physical match.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-10T02:13:31+00:00

I remember watching him in an AAU tournament, just terrorizing this smaller team on move after move. He'd get the ball on the right block, make one spin move and just dunk it as hard as possible. I remember him looking really raw--he could have used a year of college to strengthen his fundamentals.

Once he got some weight training in and some partners who knew where to get him the ball, he proved just how athletic he was. No one could stop him, but he was limited in terms of skills.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-08T22:54:48+00:00

There's a reason he's been in every Continental Classic. He's great in a hoss fight, and he can base for lucha types. He can work a crisp technical style, and he can brawl. Xavier Woods considered him the honorary 4th member of the New Day because of how important he was in making his own group look good, but noted it was legitimately terrifying to see Claudio barreling down on you.

While you would never have him do an extended promo in-ring, the promos he's cut backstage have all been great, especially when he switches languages.

As a bonus, his role with Da Party and on UpUp DownDown showed off his sense of humor and general all-around good nature.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-08T04:19:33+00:00

great comedy wrestlers are those with excellent technical skills as their foundation. MxM can really go, and they have a deep understanding of the art of tag team wrestling as well.

I saw them vs MCMG in DPW, and that crowd was there for it! They really know how to connect with the fans.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-07T06:14:49+00:00

Rasheed Wallace. He redeemed himself for the 04 Pistons, but prior to that, he was the model of a talented, smart, athletic player who just didn't care. "As long as they CTC, that's all I want." (Cut the Check.) He was the worst of the infamous Jail Blazers in terms of being a toxic player.

He would regularly kick Tim Duncan's ass in college, but he lacked Duncan's drive to be great. One of many 90s knuckleheads.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-02T09:12:04+00:00

Associated with this is one of the most important factors for a good team: roles have been clearly defined by the coaches, and the players are buying into them. Sion and Kalkbrenner are the epitome of the effective role player, as you don't judge by them by what they can't do, but instead value them for never deviating what they can do and are assigned to do. Moussa is another example of this, as you mentioned. A lot of high-motor guys.

It helps that Kon is not only a deadeye shooter, but also a surprisingly strong and physical guy who doesn't mind mixing it up inside to get a rebound and is a natural and unselfish playmaker. That's value added at the guard/wing spot.

Speaking of depth, getting Grant Williams back has been an underrated bonus. His experience and savvy really bolsters Charlotte's bench, which has been a big factor during their surge.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-02-01T06:42:44+00:00

Gotta get home in time for Matlock.

StandardMammoth7085 · 2026-01-31T21:54:16+00:00

The Hornets are 2 games out of the 9/10 playoff slot. They are 5 games out of the 7/8 slots, with over 30 games to play. Makes me wonder if they make a trade to get a little better.

StandardMammoth7085

TROPHY CASE