Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, the legendary WWE tag team known as New Day, have made a shock debut for rival promotion AEW at All In at Wembley Stadium in London. The pair stepped out moments into the live broadcast, revealing their new name as The New Level, alongside Swerve Strickland as wild cards in the Trios Royale Roulette.
New names and a stacked lineup
As some fans expected, the duo are now going by the names Kofi and Austin Creed. They completed a stacked lineup that also featured 'Hangman' Adam Page and Brodido, the Bang Bang Gang vs. The Conglomeration, Death Riders, The Demand and The Dogs.
The big debut followed reports over the weekend from Fightful, who noted that the duo were set to sign with AEW and debut at All In. The outlet noted that the deal 'came together in the last couple of weeks', noting they weren't under contract 'as of two weeks ago', but talks got underway over the last fortnight.
End of an era with WWE
All In marked New Day's first appearance since it was revealed they were leaving WWE back in May. At the time, it was reported the duo left the company by 'mutual consent', having opted not to renegotiate their deals, instead choosing to part ways. Their departures meant Kofi, 44, and Woods, 39, called time on two glittering careers with the wrestling giant after 20 and 16 years, respectively.
New Day career highlights in WWE include being seven-time WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions, five-time World Tag Team Champions, former NXT Tag Team Champions, former WWE Champion (Kofi Kingston), former WWE Champion (Big E), 2021 King of the Ring (Xavier Woods), and WWE Men's Tag Team of the Year 2019.
That included 12 years as a team, coming together as a featured act for WWE Raw in 2014 alongside Big E, whose own career was tragically cut short by a broken neck in 2022. As New Day, the trio have won more WWE tag titles than any duo in history, with 13. The pair's seven SmackDown reigns is also a WWE record – as is their 483-day stint as Raw champs.
Kofi is also a former WWE Champion after beating Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson, who is also in AEW) at WrestleMania 35 in 2019.
Special bond and AEW's ambitions
Two years ago, when New Day celebrated a decade as a tag team, Kofi spoke about the 'special' bond they share, and the influence they've had on the wrestling world. 'It's pretty incredible to have had that level of impact on the industry,' Kofi exclusively told Metro. 'I actually sent Woods a text this morning about how appreciative I was of him, of being my tag team partner. I never lose sight of how rare and special our bond is.'
Before All In, AEW boss Tony Khan wasn't drawn on speaking about New Day or other incoming stars, but did discuss the constant act of adding fresh stars to an already top-level roster. 'There are so many great wrestlers around the world, and so many of the very best professional wrestlers compete in All Elite Wrestling,' he beamed. 'I always say AEW is where the best wrestle, and I really believe that. I think that the very best wrestlers in the world are competing in AEW right now.'
Tony admitted that 'it's exciting that so many of the best wrestlers outside of the company are trying to get into AEW', while also pointing to the company's collaborations with the likes of CMLL and New Japan Pro Wrestling, which allow talent to 'compete in multiple promotions'.
