Deonna Purrazzo is looking to cement her legacy as the greatest Knockouts champion in Impact history. She has taken on all challenges and cleared out the division. The Virtuosa even prevailed against unknown surprise contenders, such as Thunder Rosa at Slammiversary. Purrazzo padded her career résumé this past weekend by teaming with “The Drama King” Matt Rehwoldt (fka Aiden English) to win the mixed tag tournament and be crowned king and queen of Homecoming.
Purrazzo is not content to rest on her laurels. She also plans to defend the Knockouts Championship at the NWA all-women Empowerrr PPV on August 28. All that was needed was an opponent. Enter Melina through the Forbidden Door.
The reveal began with Mickie James once again interrupting Purrazzo’s big moment to celebrate. James butted in requesting a signed contract from the Virtuosa to officially wrestle at Empowerrr.
.@MickieJames interrupts @DeonnaPurrazzo once again! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/gB75qFvrea
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) August 6, 2021
Purrazzo demanded to know who would be standing across the ring for her title defense. James complied with that simple request, and welcomed Melina to the Impact Zone.
.@MickieJames has announced that the LEGENDARY @RealMelina will challenge @DeonnaPurrazzo for the Knockouts Championship at @nwa #Empowerrr! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/Tr81wHpjyH
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) August 6, 2021
Purrazzo was on board with the match and signed the contract. Melina responded in kind. Purrazzo formally introduced herself. It was an honor to meet Melina, and it will be an honor to defeat her. Melina countered with an aim to repeat Purrazzo’s success by winning the Knockouts Championship in her first opportunity.
Melina is quite the scalp for Purrazzo to add to her collection. Melina is a two-time WWE Divas Champion, a three-time WWE Women’s Champion, and was ranked #3 in the PWI Female 50 for 2009. As evidenced upon arrival, her entrance still pops.
The NWA Empowerrr card for August 28 is beginning to take shape with:
- NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) vs. Leyla Hirsch
- Impact Knockouts Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Melina
- NWA Women’s Invitational Cup: Chelsea Green, Tootie Lynn, Jamie Senegal, and more
Technically, Purrazzo has one hurdle before Empowerrr, but that is looking more and more likely a mere formality. Purrazzo is scheduled for a title versus title match against Faby Apache in AAA at Triplemania XXIX on August 14. All signs point to Purrazzo becoming double champ.
How surprised are you to see Melina in the Impact Zone? Does the matchup of Deonna Purrazzo versus Melina entice you enough to purchase the Empowerrr PPV?