Austin Creed believes the most valuable part of creative freedom in AEW is not simply having an opportunity to pitch ideas or shape a presentation. For him, it is having the room to take a genuine chance, see whether it connects, and adjust when it does not.
Speaking at PAX Australia, Creed discussed his experience with creative expression since arriving in All Elite Wrestling as part of The New Level alongside Kofi. Creed said AEW has given performers more latitude to experiment, particularly through a process where an idea is allowed to succeed or fail in front of a live audience.
“Yeah, I would say so. I would say so.”
Creed then expanded on what that freedom means to him, framing it less as unrestricted control and more as the opportunity to learn through the risks that come with performing at a high level.
For more background on this topic, read Tay Melo Removed From AEW Roster Page Following Release Request.
“There’s definitely more space for that. More space to be allowed to fail is how I would say it, and that’s what I thrive on is the opportunity to fail. Let me go out and try something. I don’t want it to fail, but that adrenaline rush that I get is because I’m going out on national television. I’m going out in front of a crowd of 20,000 people and I’m trying something that I don’t know if it’s going to work or not, and then it’s successful and I go, cool, I am good at my job. Or it doesn’t work and I go, ‘Ah! Okay, well, what can I change next time so that this does work?’ Getting the chance to have that process is what I really enjoy about anything creative but specifically about wrestling, because that’s fulfillment for me. Getting the chance to try, not knowing if you’re gonna be successful.”
Creed Values the Process Behind the Performance
Creed’s comments put the emphasis on a part of wrestling that viewers do not always see: the continual testing of timing, character work, crowd interaction, match structure, and presentation. A performer can prepare extensively, but a live wrestling audience ultimately determines whether a particular moment lands as intended.
That uncertainty is precisely what Creed said he enjoys. The stakes are substantial when an idea is attempted on national television and in front of a large crowd, but his remarks show that he views an unsuccessful attempt as useful information rather than a dead end. If something fails to generate the intended response, the next step is to identify what can be altered and try again.
In that sense, Creed described creative freedom as an active process. It is not merely the ability to do something different once. It is the ability to develop a concept over time, evaluate the reaction, and refine it without treating every imperfect result as a reason to abandon experimentation entirely.
That approach can be especially meaningful in professional wrestling, where the live nature of the medium makes audience response immediate. A crowd may react differently to an entrance, a promo, a comedic beat, a serious character shift, or a sequence in a match than anyone anticipated during planning. The ability to recognize those reactions and make changes is a major part of a performer’s craft.
The New Level’s AEW Arrival Came at All In
Creed and Kofi arrived in AEW as The New Level at the 2026 edition of All In. Their debut was tied directly to championship competition, as they were revealed as Swerve Strickland’s partners in the Trios Roulette Royale for the AEW World Trios Championship.
The group went on to win the titles, immediately placing Creed, Kofi, and Strickland among the central trios acts in AEW. The championship victory also gave The New Level a major platform from which to establish its identity in the promotion.
Since then, The New Level has recorded four successful defenses of the AEW World Trios Championship. Those defenses have helped make the trio’s reign more than a single debut-night surprise, providing repeated opportunities for the group to build momentum as champions.
For Creed, the trios environment also naturally creates room for different kinds of performance choices. Trios wrestling requires coordination among three wrestlers while also giving each member a distinct role in the act. Establishing a shared group identity without losing individual personality can be a demanding creative challenge, particularly when a unit is introduced in such a prominent championship role.
Creed’s stated interest in trying new things therefore fits the position The New Level occupies. The group has been competing with AEW’s World Trios titles at stake, in high-visibility matches where their in-ring work and presentation are being evaluated by live crowds on a regular basis.
Why the Ability to Fail Matters
The word “fail” can carry a negative connotation in an industry built around big reactions, successful television segments, and championship results. Creed, however, presented failure as an essential part of growth. He made clear that he does not enter a performance hoping an idea will fall flat. The satisfaction comes from accepting the uncertainty and committing to the attempt anyway.
That perspective separates experimentation from carelessness. Taking a creative risk still demands preparation, awareness of the audience, and an understanding of the performer’s role. But even a well-considered idea can produce an unexpected result once it reaches the arena. Creed’s point is that the response can lead to an adjustment rather than becoming a permanent mark against the person who took the chance.
His comments also underline the difference between a polished final product and the work required to reach it. Fans see the completed promo, match, segment, or character moment. Behind that result is often a longer process of attempts, feedback, revisions, and recalibration. Creed said that process is what provides fulfillment for him creatively, particularly in wrestling.
There is also an element of confidence in his description. Creed said a successful risk offers confirmation that he is good at his job. At the same time, an idea that does not work becomes an invitation to ask a practical question: what can be changed next time? That is a mindset focused on improvement rather than on protecting an image of perfection.
AEW’s Trios Champions Continue Building Their Reign
The New Level’s four successful title defenses provide a competitive foundation for Creed’s creative ambitions. A title run offers recurring chances to show evolution, whether that comes through in-ring chemistry, strategic adjustments, character details, or the ways champions respond to increasingly difficult opposition.
Creed did not identify a specific creative idea he hopes to attempt next, nor did he point to a particular moment that he considers a failure or a breakthrough. His comments were broader than that. He spoke about the value of working in an environment where attempting something uncertain is part of the creative process.
That philosophy may be particularly important as The New Level continues its championship run. The group’s arrival at All In and immediate title victory established a major first impression. Sustaining that position requires more than repeating the same formula indefinitely. It demands continued connection with the audience and a willingness to discover what works as the act develops.
Creed’s remarks suggest he welcomes that challenge. Whether a new idea receives the response he expects or requires a later adjustment, he sees the opportunity to put it before a live crowd as a fundamental part of what makes wrestling creatively rewarding.
For now, The New Level remains defined by a strong start in AEW: a high-profile All In debut, an AEW World Trios Championship win with Swerve Strickland, and four successful defenses. Creed’s comments add insight into how he approaches the work behind that success. He is looking for the pressure that comes with uncertainty, the feedback that follows a risk, and the chance to make the next attempt better than the last.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.