AEW Releases Shanna & Awesome Kong - Backstage Details & More

Backstage update on AEW's decision not to renew Awesome Kong & Shanna's contracts.

by Andy H Murray
Awesome Kong Shanna
AEW

As observed yesterday, Shanna and Awesome Kong were both quietly removed from AEW's official roster page over the weekend, sparking speculation on their departures from the promotion.

The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer has since reported that the wrestlers' contracts with the promotion have not been renewed. Both are now free agents.

Fightful Select have issued a new report offering fresh details on the situation. Regarding Kong, AEW moved to split her Nightmare Collective stable in early 2020, after the IMPACT Wrestling legend wasn't cleared to compete. This went down in February, with Kong working her last AEW match that January. Her being cut from AEW had been foreseen, as she hadn't been working in the coaching role she was once earmarked for.

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The outlet spoke to AEW talent on Shanna's release, learning that the Portuguese wrestler had issues with other wrestlers - and specifically extras, who didn't like how Shanna was treating them. Fightful has reached out to Shanna for comments on the matter.

November 2020 saw Shanna embroiled in social media controversy, as she was accused of Islamophobia after calling for French President Emmanuel Macron to close his country's borders,

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.