Awesome Kong, known for her time as a TNA Knockouts star, had a brief run in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where she formed a faction with Brandi Rhodes. Despite initial promise, her role in AEW did not develop as expected, leading to months without on-screen activity. In June 2021, Kong chose not to renew her contract with AEW and parted ways with the company before retiring later that year. Her reflections on this period reveal a complicated mix of gratitude and regret over the timing of her involvement.
Looking Back: Timing and Career Challenges
On Busted Open Radio, Kong openly addressed the circumstances surrounding her short AEW tenure, emphasizing how the timing of her return to wrestling was a major factor. She explained that during AEW’s early, formative months, often described as a honeymoon or teething phase, she was simultaneously busy with other projects like GLOW and additional commitments. This overlap created challenges that prevented her from fully integrating into AEW’s evolving landscape. Kong suggested that, had she joined AEW later, her experience and role might have been different and possibly extended.
I think the timing just wasn’t right, you know? AEW was in it’s honeymoon/teething stage, and I was busy with GLOW and other things, and whatnot, and so there were a lot of moving parts to my career at the time,
she said, indicating that the alignment of her schedule and AEW’s growth did not coincide.
Perspectives on AEW’s Rise Compared to Past Promotions
Kong reflected on AEW’s early success, noting how she once conversed with Dixie Carter about the potential for a wrestling promotion to capture that kind of attention. She highlighted the unique opportunity AEW had to rival established companies without playing a “second fiddle” role. In her view, AEW represented a true competitor in wrestling, backed by genuine investment and fan interest, contrasting with her experience in TNA.
You don’t have to play second fiddle, or you know, second team or whatnot. The want, the desire for a true competitor wrestling company was out there, and they found somebody to truly invest into it,
Kong recalled.
I feel like with TNA it was always just… You know… We’re gonna spend a Dime and expect Five Dollars back?
she added, expressing frustration with TNA’s business approach compared to AEW’s ambitions.
Commitment and Sacrifices Made for Wrestling
Kong also shared a personal story about leaving a lucrative six-figure job at age 24 to commit fully to wrestling, a move seen by many as risky or even irrational. This level of dedication underlines the challenges inherent in building a competitor organization to WWE, emphasizing that such ventures require sacrifice and belief in the dream of a true wrestling alternative.
Implications for Wrestling and What May Come Next
Awesome Kong’s reflections highlight the fragility of timing and opportunity within professional wrestling careers, particularly during transitional phases of promotions like AEW. Her comments reveal the complexities involved in balancing personal commitments with the demands of a growing company. AEW’s rise as a formidable wrestling entity continues to influence industry dynamics, and Kong’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of alignment between talent and organizational momentum. Fans and observers will watch closely how AEW continues to evolve and whether similar talents might find improved timing to flourish within the promotion.
