The New Level AEW: Kofi Reveals Details of 90-Day WWE Non-Compete

The New Level has made an impressive start to life in All Elite Wrestling, but Kofi has now revealed that he and Austin Creed did not speak with AEW or any other wrestling promotion during their 90-day non-compete period after leaving WWE.

The former New Day members departed WWE in May 2026 after reportedly declining a restructured deal from TKO that included a pay reduction of more than 50 percent. Because their WWE contracts had not yet expired, the pair were required to complete a 90-day non-compete period before they could officially join another wrestling company.

That waiting period eventually ended with a major AEW debut. Kofi and Creed appeared as The New Level at AEW All In 2026 on August 30, beginning a new chapter in their careers after years of success in WWE.

While fans naturally speculated about where the duo would go next, Kofi has now explained that there were no actual negotiations with AEW or another promotion during those three months. Instead, the enforced break gave the two wrestlers something they might not have otherwise received: significant time away from the wrestling business.

Kofi Says The 90-Day Wait Worked Out Well

Speaking on Close Up with Renee Paquette, Kofi discussed the uncertainty surrounding the period immediately after leaving WWE.

The former WWE Champion explained that the pair could discuss their future theoretically, but they could not take concrete steps toward joining another promotion until the non-compete period had ended.

Rather than viewing the situation purely as a restriction, Kofi said the waiting period ultimately turned out to be beneficial. It allowed both wrestlers to spend more time at home and with their families before beginning the next demanding stage of their professional careers.

This is particularly relevant considering how long Kofi and Creed had been active in WWE. Their previous run involved years of regular television appearances, live events, travel and championship programs.

The forced break therefore created an unusual opportunity to step away from the weekly wrestling schedule.

Kofi’s comments also indicate that The New Level’s AEW arrival was not the result of negotiations secretly taking place throughout the entire 90-day period. The duo had to wait before making formal moves, making their eventual AEW debut a much more significant moment for fans watching their next destination.

Why Kofi and Austin Creed Left WWE

The duo’s WWE departure marked the end of an important chapter in their careers.

Kofi and Austin Creed had spent years performing together as members of The New Day, becoming one of WWE’s most recognizable tag teams. Their eventual decision to leave the company came after they declined a restructured agreement from TKO.

The proposed deal reportedly involved a pay cut of more than 50 percent, which contributed to the pair’s decision to move on from WWE.

However, leaving WWE did not immediately mean they could appear elsewhere. Their contractual situation required them to complete the 90-day non-compete period first.

That created a period of uncertainty for fans. The wrestling world knew the former WWE stars were available after their contractual situation was resolved, but there was no immediate indication of which promotion they would choose.

The eventual answer came at AEW All In in August.

The New Level Debut at AEW All In

The New Level officially arrived in AEW at All In 2026 on August 30.

The debut immediately attracted attention because Kofi and Creed were entering a new promotion after spending a substantial portion of their careers in WWE.

The move also gave AEW an opportunity to add two experienced performers to its roster. Both wrestlers already understood the demands of weekly television and high-profile live events, while their established fanbase gave the new team additional visibility.

For Kofi and Creed, the debut represented the end of their long wait and the beginning of a fresh professional challenge.

Rather than spending months wondering where they would end up, fans finally received their answer when The New Level appeared at one of AEW’s biggest events.

Tony Khan Was Excited to Sign The New Level

AEW President Tony Khan discussed the signings during the post-All In media scrum and explained why he was enthusiastic about bringing Kofi and Austin Creed into the company.

According to Khan, the two wrestlers communicated that they wanted to work regularly and be visible on AEW’s weekly television programs.

Khan specifically highlighted their willingness to work hard and their desire to appear consistently on AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision.

That approach appears to fit what AEW wants from established additions to its roster. Rather than treating their arrival as a short-term attraction, the company can use their experience across weekly programming and major events.

Khan also said he believed having wrestlers with that level of commitment would bring additional attention and fans to AEW.

The comments provide some insight into why AEW became the destination for The New Level. The company was not simply signing two familiar names; it was adding performers who told Khan they wanted to be consistently involved.

The New Level Quickly Captured AEW Gold

The duo’s strong start in AEW did not stop with their debut.

The New Level teamed with Swerve Strickland to win the AEW World Trios Championships at All In 2026. Winning championship gold so early in their AEW tenure immediately established them as important players within the company.

The title victory also gives their arrival a clear storyline direction. Instead of spending their first several months simply adjusting to their new environment, Kofi and Creed quickly entered the championship picture.

Their partnership with Strickland adds another dimension to the team as well. The trio now has an opportunity to establish itself as a major force in AEW’s trios division.

For Kofi and Creed, championship success so early after leaving WWE provides a strong opening chapter in their AEW careers.

What The New Level’s Start Says About AEW’s Plans

The decision to introduce The New Level as championship contenders immediately suggests that AEW sees value in their experience.

Both Kofi and Creed arrived with years of major-event experience, while Kofi’s previous WWE Championship reign gives him singles credibility in addition to his extensive tag-team background.

That allows AEW to use the pair in several different ways.

Their primary focus can remain on the World Trios Championship, but their individual backgrounds also mean they can eventually participate in singles programs or other tag-team combinations if AEW chooses to explore those directions.

Their stated willingness to work regularly could also make them useful performers for weekly television. Consistent appearances would allow AEW to build longer-running stories around them rather than relying exclusively on major pay-per-view appearances.

The Non-Compete Period Gave Kofi and Creed a Reset

The 90-day period between leaving WWE and becoming eligible to join another promotion was more than a contractual obstacle from Kofi’s perspective.

It also gave the wrestlers an opportunity to step away from the demanding routine of professional wrestling.

Kofi’s comments about spending time with family provide a different perspective on what can otherwise look like a frustrating period for performers. Instead of immediately moving from one weekly wrestling schedule to another, he and Creed had time away from the business.

That break may also have helped them approach their AEW debut with a fresh perspective.

By the time The New Level appeared at All In, the waiting period was over and the duo could fully commit to their new company.

What Could Be Next for The New Level?

The immediate priority for Kofi, Creed and Swerve Strickland is the AEW World Trios Championship. Their title victory gives them an established role in the division and a reason to remain active on weekly television.

The bigger question is how AEW will develop The New Level beyond their initial championship run.

The team has several potential directions. They could focus on defending the trios titles, develop rivalries with other established teams or eventually explore singles opportunities for Kofi and Creed.

Much will depend on the stories AEW chooses to build around them.

For now, the early signs are clear: The New Level has entered AEW as a major addition rather than a background act, and their championship victory has given them immediate relevance.

Why Kofi’s Revelation Matters

Kofi’s latest comments provide useful context for the timeline of The New Level’s AEW arrival.

Fans may have assumed that the former WWE stars spent their entire non-compete period preparing for their next destination behind the scenes. According to Kofi, however, there were no conversations with AEW or another promotion during that period.

Instead, he and Creed waited until they were able to make formal moves, while using the time away from wrestling to reconnect with their families.

The eventual AEW debut therefore followed a genuine period away from the weekly wrestling business. Once the restriction ended, the duo moved into a new chapter and quickly found themselves holding championship gold.

Final Verdict

Kofi has revealed that he and Austin Creed did not negotiate with AEW or another promotion during their 90-day non-compete period after leaving WWE. Instead, the enforced break allowed them to spend valuable time with their families.

The wait ended with The New Level’s AEW debut at All In 2026 on August 30. Their arrival was followed by an immediate championship achievement, as Kofi and Creed teamed with Swerve Strickland to win the AEW World Trios Championships.

Tony Khan has also spoken positively about their willingness to work regularly and contribute to AEW’s weekly programming.

After leaving WWE and spending three months away from the wrestling business, Kofi and Creed have now begun a new chapter in AEW. Their early championship success gives The New Level a strong foundation, while their long-term role will depend on how the company develops their story from here.