Backstage news regarding the process of New Level signing long-term contracts with AEW
According to Fightful.com, Austin Creed and Kofi (New Level) are under five-year contracts with AEW. The creative plans for their arrival were reportedly pitched well before a deal was finalized, with teaming them with Swerve Strickland among the original ideas.
New Level lost the Trios Titles this past week, which was apparently never intended to be a long-term title run. The duo was pitched on joining AEW to work with Strickland, who reportedly played a significant role in building the relationship between New Level and AEW. It’s believed that AEW President Tony Khan had not spoken with them until they were contractually free to sign.
It was noted that Creed and Kofi can take outside bookings.
AEW also licensed “New Level” by FERG as the duo’s entrance theme. However, Fightful was told that the deal was not officially cleared by Sony until the day of New Level’s debut at All In: London.
New Level signed five-year AEW contracts, FightfulSelect.com has learned.
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— Fightful Wrestling (@fightful.com) October 21, 2026 at 9:01 PM