Mystery solved.
Deonna Purrazzo knocked off all challengers in the IMPACT Knockouts division, so Gail Kim went outside the company, bringing in Thunder Rosa to face Purrazzo at IMPACT Slammiversary.
Despite not being able to prepare for Rosa, Purrazzo was able to adapt and defending, beating Rosa with the Queen's Gambit to successfully defend the IMPACT Knockouts Championship.
Rosa is currently under contract to the NWA, but has been a regular on AEW television since September 2020. She is a former NWA Women's Champion.
.@thunderrosa22 is @DeonnaPurrazzo's OPPONENT in a DREAM MATCH! #Slammiversary
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 18, 2021
Order HERE: https://t.co/B4rKbNpqAD pic.twitter.com/F8PFWHvLrn
After the bout, Mickie James made an appearance and invited Purrazzo to compete at NWA EmPowerrr on August 28. Purrazzo was not happy that James came out to ruin her moment, but things didn't end well for her as James laid her out with the Mick Kick.
HARDCORE COUNTRY!
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 18, 2021
The LEGEND @MickieJames is BACK at #Slammiversary!
Order HERE: https://t.co/B4rKbNH1sb pic.twitter.com/C9lQEazwVI
James is the Executive Producer of NWA EmPowerrr, which is an all-women's pay-per-view set to be held under the NWA banner. James has said she wants to feature up-and-coming talent along with current stars.
Fightful Select reported on July 15, "We've been told that there have been talks of NWA and IMPACT wrestling working together more, after a period where they didn't at all." The news came in relation to IMPACT letting Kylie Rae out of her contract to sign with NWA.
Check out Fightful's coverage of IMPACT Slammiversary by clicking here. You can also catch the post-show podcast for a full review of all of the action by clicking here. You can also join the Fightful watch along of the event by clicking here.
