By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Awesome Kong, a former TNA Knockout released in March, says she decided to leave TNA because she didn't feel secure about her future in wrestling working for TNA. Kong told Diva-Dirt.com in an interview she wanted to move along from TNA to pursue other opportunities in wrestling to make money during her prime earning years.

"TNA is not a bad company. That's the thing. There are pros and cons to every aspect of working anywhere. It was a joy to come to work. Most drama was settled almost right away. We had fun. We were on television. We were known. But, sometimes and in certain cases, you need a little bit more to secure your future," Kong said on the Women of Wrestling podcast.

"We only have 'x' amount of time in this business and I'm trying to make every moment count. It's not 'Oh, TNA is such a bad company, I can't work there. Oh, it's horrible.' No, no. Look where I am today with the help of TNA. Of course, I did a lot of work myself in Japan and touring the States, but being on a American show on a major network, it helped amp my stock. TNA is like home for me, but business is business and I must try everything I can to have a bright, comfortable future when I retire."

Kong was asked about TNA hiring Betsy Ruth almost as a replacement for her as a "big women's wrestler" on the roster. Kong said she hopes people don't view Ruth as a "Kong replacement" and she would be open to returning to TNA down the line for a match-up with Ruth.

"From what I understand, if I ever want to come back to TNA, I am welcome to it. That's what they say. That doesn't mean that's what they mean (laughs). Right now, I'm putting my ducks in a line for whatever I'm going to be doing next," Kong said.

Kong was asked about the reported pay discrepancy in TNA with the male wrestlers making more money than the female wrestlers despite the Knockouts consistently drawing the highest quarter-hour ratings on the show. She was also asked if there's a certain irony to that with the president of TNA, Dixie Carter, being female.

"It's ironic. It's very ironic," Kong said. "I can't gripe about what the men were making. Whatever they're making, they deserve. They are deserving of whatever they make - and more. They work very, very hard. We work just as hard, if not harder because we're women, just to be paid the same amount as our co-workers. People are asking me about the pay. It wasn't the main thing or the biggest thing that led to me leaving TNA."

Regarding Bubba the Love Sponge, Kong continued to no-sell him having any affect on her personally or professionaly leaving TNA. "I am in a happy place right now and I'm not going to let that man get to me," she said.

In the interview, Kong tells an interesting story on how she got into the business. She said she was in a "crazed fan stage" and really wanted to meet "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, so she decided the best way to meet Austin was to become a wrestler and get backstage access.

She said she tried out for Tough Enough 2 and wasn't picked for the show, then she started training at the New Japan Dojo in Southern California and got her star in pro wrestling working in Japan.

We suggest these recent related articles...

TV RATINGS: TNA Impact & ROH TV viewership - Week 19 on Dest. America - Impact surges post-BFG, ROH draws big audience

TV WRESTLING VIEWERSHIP - Week of Sept. 28: Full Break Down of last week's Pro Wrestling TV with DVR viewing

TNA NEWS: TNA announces TV tapings on January U.K. Tour