AEW's New Level Detail How Swerve Strickland Pitched Them On Forming A Trio

The New Level has settled into their new surroundings in AEW almost seamlessly as they currently reign as two-thirds of the AEW World Trios Champions alongside Swerve Strickland. Both Austin Creed and Kofi knew Strickland before they arrived in All Elite Wrestling, but the former AEW World Champion has played a major role in helping the men formerly known as The New Day get to grips with their new roles. In a recent interview with "Uncrowned," Creed revealed that it was actually Strickland's idea to form a trio, not just to try and win gold, but to get both him and Kofi up to speed as fast as possible.

"[Strickland] goes, 'Look, if we jump in this trios [situation], you get a chance to wrestle, what, six, seven other tag teams right from the jump at Wembley. So logically, well, of course we want to put hands on everybody as quick as we can. And now by winning those titles, we beat a bunch of other very credible, very good tag-teams that AEW has to offer. And so it's about making sure that we are getting the reps with all of these people on the roster, and having the most dangerous man in all of AEW at our side while we're doing that, with Prince Nana as well."

Whether Strickland and The New Level remain as AEW World Trios Champions after this weekend is a different story. They put their belts on the line this Saturday at AEW WrestleDream 2026 against Hangman Page and Brodido in a Two-out-of-Three Falls match, marking the first time that stipulation has ever been implemented into a trios match in AEW history. The champions did defeat the challengers last month at AEW All Out 2026, but they will need to reach a new level in itself to remain as champions this weekend.

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