New Level Captures AEW Trios Titles in Debut Amid Backstage Praise and WWE Visa Moves

Key points

• Kofi and Austin Creed won the AEW World Trios Championship in their debut match at All In: London, teaming with Swerve Strickland.
• PW Insider reports that AEW staff were impressed by the duo's backstage conduct, describing them as 'delightful' and not arrogant.
• WWE is hoping Rhea Ripley will be healthy enough to compete at Wrestlepalooza in Perth on December 12, though she will attend regardless of her injury status.
• WWE is proactively securing new work visas for AAA talents to ensure they can perform in the United States without legal issues.
• AEW's All In schedule was tight, with talent warned against going over time to ensure Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay had sufficient main event time.

Background

Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed left WWE in May 2026 after a 12-year run as New Day, a move reportedly triggered by a request for a pay cut. They had previously been part of the most-decorated tag team in WWE history. Rhea Ripley has been sidelined since July 2026 due to a torn meniscus, leading to an interim women's title match at SummerSlam. AEW's All In: London event featured a main event between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay, which dictated the strict time limits for other matches.

How outlets are covering it

Cageside Seats and PW Insider emphasize the positive reception of Kofi and Creed in AEW, highlighting their professionalism and the boost to company morale. Bleacher Report focuses on the historical significance of their title win in their debut and the context of their WWE departure. Fightful provides logistical details, noting that AEW's schedule was tight to protect the Omega-Ospreay main event, and that Britt Baker's late arrival in London raised questions about her return. WWE's focus on Rhea Ripley's return and AAA visas suggests a strategic effort to manage talent availability and legal compliance for international events.

Why it matters

The successful integration of high-profile WWE talent into AEW signals a shift in the wrestling landscape, with AEW gaining prestige and WWE potentially losing key stars. The logistical challenges of All In and the focus on visa security highlight the increasing complexity of managing international talent and events in the industry.

What to watch

Kofi and Creed are scheduled to face The Rascalz on AEW Dynamite. WWE will monitor Rhea Ripley's recovery for Wrestlepalooza. AEW will continue to manage its tight schedules to protect main event stars like Omega and Ospreay.