Awesome Kong has been announced as the newest inductee into the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Christy Hemme announced the news at the IMPACT Knockouts Knockdown event on October 9. Kong subsequently came to the ring, and the fans gave her a warm welcome. She then expressed her gratitude and stated that she wanted to dedicate the honor to former TNA star Daffney (Shannon Spruill), who passed away on September 1.
Wrestling icon @MeanQueenK will be inducted into the IMPACT Hall of Fame at Bound For Glory. #KnockoutsKnockdown pic.twitter.com/xMDvR06Pc8
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) October 10, 2021
When she responded to her induction, Kong also delivered an emotional message and asked everyone to honor Daffney.
“It’s an extremely humble experience to be considered for this prestigious and exclusive honor,” said Kong. “I was there at the birth of the Knockouts Division. And to see the tenacity that these women have today, the same kind of tenacity that we original Knockouts had back in the day, fills me with a pride that will have an everlasting shimmer. But it’s bittersweet. It’s nice to be acknowledged for your life’s works, but my main priority today was to come and pay homage to my friend and colleague, whose legacy will not be denied. Daffney broke barriers and went into places that were denied to most women back in the day. First woman to do a Monster’s Ball match.
“She opened the doors for those women [who competed in a Monsters Ball match at Knockkouts Knockdown.] So honor my friend. Whether you are a teacher [or] a mechanic, open the door for the next person. Do something that opens the door for the next generation. Because if not you, who? If not now, when? So honor my friend, ‘The Scream Queen.’ This for you Daffney. We love you.”
With her impressive list of accolades, Kong is one of the most remarkables Knockouts in TNA/IMPACT history. She enjoyed a dominant run during her initial stretch with the company; Kong won the TNA Knockouts Championship twice, and she also held the Knockouts Tag Team Championshi alongside Hamada. Kong was released in 2010 and went on to compete in WWE, among other companies, for a few years. She later returned to IMPACT in 2015 and won the Queen of the Knockouts tournament in 2015 and the Gauntlet for the Gold match in 2016.
At NWA EmPowerrr, Kong officially announced her retirement to officially conclude her illustrious in-ring career.
Kong will officially be inducted at the Bound For Glory event on October 23. There, she will join fellow inductees Sting, Jurt Angle, Team 3D, Jeff Jarrett, Earl Henber, Gaim Kim, Abyss and Ken Shamrock.
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