WWE Regrets Losing Kofi and Creed After AEW Debut Win

Key points

• Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed (formerly Xavier Woods) debuted in AEW at All In: London on August 30, 2026, as The New Level.
• They teamed with Swerve Strickland to win the AEW World Trios Championship in a Trios Roulette Royale, becoming the first AEW wrestlers to win a title in their debut.
• A WWE source told WrestleVotes that the company is experiencing genuine regret over not bringing the duo back, marking the first time there has been a disconnect between WWE and TKO.
• The departures in May 2026 reportedly hurt morale in WWE's Stamford offices, where the two were well-liked by colleagues.
• AEW owner Tony Khan revealed he never expected the two to become available and had not originally budgeted for their signings.
• Creed and Kingston stated their WWE exit was not a falling out but a natural end to a relationship, and they joined AEW for its tag team division.

Background

Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed had been part of WWE's New Day for over a decade, with Kingston holding the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 and the team accumulating 12 tag team title reigns. They left WWE in May 2026 after being asked to take a pay cut, according to earlier reporting. Their AEW debut was anticipated in late August, with Fightful Select reporting they were set to sign with AEW and appear at All In London as wild-card entrants with Swerve Strickland.

How outlets are covering it

Ringside News, citing a WWE source, emphasizes the internal regret and morale impact within WWE, suggesting TKO may have mishandled the situation. AEW and Fox News focus on the immediate success of the debut, highlighting the title win and the surprise nature of the signing. Bleacher Report provides background on the duo's WWE tenure and the reported pay cut that led to their departure, while also noting their status as the most-decorated tag team in WWE history. The outlets differ in emphasis: Ringside News focuses on the emotional and organizational fallout in WWE, while AEW and Fox News highlight the on-screen success and the surprise element of the signing.

Why it matters

The immediate success of Kofi and Creed in AEW has prompted WWE to reconsider its handling of the departures, potentially affecting future negotiations with other talent. The incident also highlights the competitive dynamics between WWE and AEW, as AEW's tag team division continues to attract top talent from WWE. The morale impact within WWE's Stamford offices suggests that the loss of well-liked employees can have broader organizational consequences beyond just on-screen talent.

What to watch

WWE may review its policies regarding talent retention and negotiations, particularly in light of the reported pay cut that led to the duo's departure. AEW is likely to feature The New Level prominently in its tag team division, given their immediate success and the strength of the division. The duo may face further matches against other top tag teams in AEW, including The Young Bucks, Cope and Cage, and FTR.