Impact Knockouts World champion Deonna Purrazzo and Trinity, her challenger at Slammiversary, verbally jabbed — but showed their respects to each other — during a media session on Tuesday.
“I’m very protective of my Knockouts Division, specifically my Knockouts World Championship, so Trinity called me out, talked about my championship and I just need to let her know this is my division, this is my place,” said Purrazzo. “Welcome, I’m happy to have you but I’m a total totally different animal than anyone you’ve ever been in the ring with before.”
“I give the same energy that I’m given, so I fight fire with fire, and she’s definitely been bringing me fire and that’s all going to come together Saturday at Slammiversary and I’m looking forward to it, cause one thing I’m not is scared,” responded Trinity.
The two Knockouts were a part of an Impact media call, moderated by Tom Hannifan, on Tuesday afternoon, four days before the 21st anniversary of Slammiversary on July 15, 2023, at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario.
Purrazzo, from Livingston, New Jersey, has been a part of Impact Wrestling for over three years, where she is a three-time Knockouts champ. Trinity, from Sanford, Florida, is best known for her tenure in the WWE, where she performed under the ring name Naomi for over a decade. She joined Impact in April of this eyar.
Both wrestlers shared what the upcoming show meant to them.
“Slammiversary is where I won my first Knockouts World Championship against Jordynne Grace in 2020, so I feel like this pay-per-view kind of marks the start of the Virtuosa and my re-introduction to the world of who I am and what I’m capable of,” said Purrazzo.
For Trinity this is her initial Slammiversary.
“It’s very exciting and completely new and a different experience for me. This being my first Slammiversary, this being my first pay-per-view, and to go up against Deonna and having this opportunity, it’s definitely going to be an honor to be in there at Slammiversary against her and it’s also going to be an honor when I beat her as well,” said Trinity.
Though Trinity was confident on becoming champion this Saturday, she did share her nerves and her overall thoughts on Impact Wrestling.
“I would say there is some what of a nervousness I have. Never facing anyone like Deonna and I feel like Deonna is going to be my biggest challenge thus far in my career. We definitely have two completely different wrestling styles and how I’m able to combat and counter and confirm to her technical abilities is I think what’s going to make or break me in this match,” said Trinity.
“If I’m going into this match already thinking that I’m defeated or that I may not make it or I may not win or not capable, then this isn’t the match for me,” continued Trinity regarding the thought of her losing never entering her mind. “I need to keep my confidence up, my mental strength strong because I am going to need everything positive and focus going against her. I’m going to win, I have to win, this match is a career defining match for me.”
“I knew I was in good hands because Knockouts has always been known as a great women’s division. I knew the talent was top tier, I knew that I would come here and have great matches, however I didn’t know what the environment was going to be like,” said Trinity. “It was kind of a culture shock, just leaving my environment for 14 years, not being on the road with my family and just completely walking into a whole new everything.”
The champ shared her views on the legacy she can leave behind post this match and the future.
“I think it’s always tough while your champion to look ahead of what’s next, because I have a target on my back 24/7 and right now, I’m fully focused on my match at Slammiversary,” said Purrazzo.
“For me post-Slammiversary, as the Knockouts World champion, it’s going to be who’s next and who’s stepping up and also like who can dethrone me. You know I’ve been champion for a long time, majority of my three plus years at Impact Wrestling, I’ve been a champion. So, for me, it’s like who’s going to take my spot, who’s going to hang me down for good, you know, no one has at this point.”
Scott D’Amore, President of Impact Wrestling, joined the media call 30 minutes in. He is set to return to the ring and take part in a tag team match, teaming with PCO against Bully Ray and Deaner (replacing an injured Steve Maclin). Former NHL player and Stanley Cup champion Darren McCarty will serve as the special guest enforcer.
Being from Windsor, D’Amore was excited for the event coming to his hometown and also the idea of taking Slammiversary overseas, with the United Kingdom being a big attraction. D’Amore also shared his thoughts on the upcoming match between Purrazzo and Trinity.
“One of the things that I hope people remember me for is the little part that I had to play in building the Knockouts Division and just being there to support these amazing woman from day one,” said D’Amore. “I think one of the legacies of Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Division and how it’s given woman an opportunity to stand front and canter and be noticed for the athletes they are.”
He says he will be watching the match after his is over and says that regardless of whoever wins, the match will be highly impressive.
“What I think is a dream match, I think is a match that pits two people that are so different, and their styles are so different, but both are so amazing. I know regardless of whether Trinity steps up and wins that Knockouts Championship and adds her to that history or whether Deonna continues to do what Deonna has done since she came here with a chip on her shoulder, said D’Amore. “One thing I’m very confident in is they’re going to have a banger and we will have a Knockouts World Champion that everybody, regardless of gender can be proud of.”
MORE SLAMMIVERSARY 2023 STORIES
- July 14, 2023: Slammiversary music to Joe Hendry’s ears
- July 10, 2023: Bully Ray’s new Slammiversary partner calls D’Amore a ‘POS’
- July 8, 2023: Injured Maclin out of Slammiversary grudge match
- June 27, 2023: Aldis has Shelley in his sights at Slammiversary
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