Awesome Kong Says AEW Timing “Probably Would Have Been Better” If She Debuted Later

Kia Stevens is looking back at her run in All Elite Wrestling — and she believes the timing may have cost her a longer stay.

Stevens, known to wrestling fans as Awesome Kong, was brought into AEW during the company’s launch year in 2019 to help anchor the women’s division. She competed in five matches between 2019 and 2020, with her final bout taking place at a January 1 taping of AEW Dark.

Speaking on Busted Open, Stevens reflected on her debut at Double or Nothing 2019 and admitted she was blown away by the crowd reaction.

“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 still in its infancy at the time, and Stevens had other major commitments pulling her attention.

“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.”

Looking back, she believes a later arrival might have changed everything.

“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.”

Despite the short run, there appears to be no bad blood. In a previous media appearance, Stevens made it clear her departure was amicable and even revealed that AEW President Tony Khan paid her during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was unable to travel.

While her AEW tenure was brief, her impact during the company’s early days was undeniable — especially during that explosive Double or Nothing debut.