Kofi and Creed Claim AEW Trios Gold in Debut, Cite Tag Team Vision for WWE Exit

Key points

• Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed defeated Claudio Castagnoli and PAC to win the AEW World Trios Championship alongside Swerve Strickland at All In: London.
• Creed stated the duo left WWE because their professional relationship had simply grown apart, rejecting narratives of a bitter falling out.
• The pair emphasized that AEW's dedicated tag team division and legacy were the decisive factors in their decision to sign with the promotion.
• They became the first wrestlers to win a title in their first appearance for AEW, marking a significant boost to the company's tag team division.
• The New Level immediately challenged the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, signaling future title ambitions.

Background

Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed, formerly known as Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, spent over a decade in WWE as part of the New Day. They left the company in May 2026 after 20 and 16 years, respectively, becoming free agents. Prior to their AEW debut, reports indicated they were preparing for a new chapter after their WWE contracts ended, with speculation about their next moves building ahead of the All In event in London.

How outlets are covering it

Ringside News and AEW's official coverage highlight the emotional and strategic reasons for the move, focusing on Creed's description of the WWE departure as a natural evolution and the appeal of AEW's tag team scene. Fox News and Bleacher Report emphasize the shock value of the debut and the immediate title victory, noting the historical significance of winning in their first match. While all sources agree on the outcome, Ringside News and AW focus on the 'why' behind the move, whereas Fox and Bleacher Report focus on the 'what' and the impact on the roster.

Why it matters

The acquisition of two former WWE tag team champions strengthens AEW's already deep tag team division, which includes The Young Bucks, FTR, and The Motor City Machine Guns. Their immediate title success and confrontation with the reigning tag team champions signal a new era for tag team wrestling in AEW and mark a significant shift in the landscape for high-profile talent moving between major promotions.

What to watch

The New Level is expected to pursue the AEW World Tag Team Championship, having already confronted the current holders, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Their next appearance will likely be on AEW Dynamite, where they are set to face The Rascalz, continuing their push within the tag team division.