Kia Stevens, known in wrestling circles as Awesome Kong, revisited her time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she joined the women’s division during the company’s inaugural year in 2019. Competing in five matches between 2019 and 2020, Stevens’ final appearance came at an AEW Dark taping on January 1. Discussing her experience on the podcast Busted Open, she expressed that if her AEW debut had come later, she might have remained with the promotion longer. This belief stemmed from her commitments to other projects at the time, which limited her availability.
Challenges and Career Dynamics at AEW’s Start
Stevens recalled the overwhelming crowd reaction when she made her entrance during AEW’s Double or Nothing event in 2019. She described the moment as powerful, but noted that the timing coincided with AEW’s early developmental phase and her involvement with outside endeavors such as the show G.L.O.W. She acknowledged the difficulty in balancing multiple career elements simultaneously while recognizing that the fans’ enthusiasm had been a driving force.
“Well, I tell you, I was really surprised yet so appreciative of the response of the night when I came out during that show (Double or Nothing 2019). The response was overwhelming. It felt like this force that went through my soul, and I think the timing just wasn’t right. AEW was in its honeymoon, teething stage and I was busy with G.L.O.W. and other things and whatnot, and so there were a lot of moving parts in my career at that time, and I’m one to always try to, well, you know, the fans demand it, you’ll do it. But, at that time, it probably would have been better if I would have gotten to AEW just a little bit later, then I probably would have still been there.”
?Kia Stevens, Wrestler
Departure from AEW and Support During the Pandemic
Stevens emphasized that her exit from AEW was on good terms. She shared that AEW President Tony Khan continued to compensate her even when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from traveling to shows. This support underlined the professional relationship she maintained with the company despite her limited in-ring involvement during that period.
Implications of Stevens’ AEW Journey
Kia Stevens’ reflections highlight how timing and external commitments can influence a wrestler’s trajectory within a major promotion like AEW. Her candid insights provide an understanding of the early AEW environment and how individual circumstances impact career decisions. Moving forward, these perspectives contribute to discussions about talent management and the growth of AEW’s women’s division as it continues to evolve.
