Bishop Kaun has offered major praise for two of AEW’s newest trios division players, calling Kofi and Austin Creed “future Hall Of Famers” as The Demand continues its pursuit of the AEW World Trios Championships.
Kofi and Creed, previously known to many fans as Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, arrived in AEW in a high-profile way at AEW All In London. Joining forces with Swerve Strickland as New Level, the pair entered the Trios Roulette Royal and emerged with championship gold, immediately placing themselves at the center of one of the company’s most competitive divisions.
That success has also made New Level a central obstacle for The Demand. Kaun and his partners are among the teams seeking to take the AEW World Trios Championships back from Kofi, Creed, and Strickland, with the groups set to meet on “AEW Collision.” While Kaun did not hide the competitive edge behind that encounter, he also spoke warmly about what it means to share the ring with performers whose careers have carried real personal significance for him.
Kaun reflects on Kofi’s championship journey
During an appearance on Grapsody, Kaun was asked about competing as a Black wrestler against Kofi and Creed, two established stars who have spent years performing at a top level on major stages. His response showed both the emotion of the moment and the respect he has for their accomplishments.
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“I just got chills,” Kaun said. “You got two future Hall Of Famers. You got Kofi, him winning the world championship back in the day literally brought tears to my eyes. Seeing him climb that mountain. Then you got Creed, who I thought for such a long time was so like, undervalued of how good he is, and now he can still ball out every week on Wednesday.”
Kaun’s comments underline why Kofi’s career has resonated so broadly. His rise to a world championship was a landmark moment for supporters who had followed his work over many years, and it remains an achievement with lasting meaning for wrestlers who saw themselves in his journey. For Kaun, the response was plainly more than a general compliment toward a respected opponent; it was a recollection of a moment that affected him as a fan and as a performer.
There is an important contrast in Kaun’s position now. The wrestler who once watched Kofi reach that mountaintop is no longer merely discussing it from afar. He is now competing in the same company and battling Kofi for the trios titles. That shift speaks to the stature of AEW’s current trios scene, where experienced names and newer forces are colliding with championships and momentum at stake.
Respect does not change the assignment
Kaun’s admiration for New Level does not mean he intends to offer them any special treatment once the bell rings. Before discussing the personal significance of facing Kofi and Creed, he made it clear that The Demand’s objective is to beat them in their upcoming “AEW Collision” match.
That is the reality of a crowded title division. Kofi, Creed, and Strickland made an immediate impact by winning the AEW World Trios Championships in their debut appearance as a unit at All In London. A championship win of that scale instantly creates targets, especially when the champions arrived with the kind of profile Kofi and Creed brought with them. Every contender can point to the champions as the team to beat, and The Demand has positioned itself accordingly.
Kaun’s praise for Creed was particularly notable. He said he had felt Creed had long been undervalued in terms of just how good he is. Now competing weekly on Wednesday nights, Creed has a new platform to demonstrate that ability in a fresh environment. Alongside Kofi and Strickland, he is operating within a trio that combines championship experience, athletic versatility, and the immediate chemistry needed to survive a division built around three-person alliances.
New Level’s formation was one of the defining developments at All In London. Kofi and Creed were revealed as Strickland’s partners in the Trios Roulette Royal after their WWE departure in May, which came following a major pay cut. Their unveiling gave the event a major surprise, but the group did not settle for a memorable entrance or a one-night appearance. They went on to capture the championships and begin their AEW run with a statement victory.
A new dynamic in the trios division
The addition of Kofi and Creed has given the AEW trios division another high-level act at a time when the championships are drawing intense competition. Strickland already brings his own considerable presence to the team, while Kofi and Creed add years of experience as partners. Their arrival also provides a new matchup pool for teams such as The Demand, creating encounters that connect wrestlers from different stages of their careers.
For Kaun, that dynamic carries added importance. The opportunity is not simply about confronting recognizable opponents; it is a chance to measure The Demand against a championship trio that debuted with immediate success. A victory over New Level would matter regardless of the belts, but the titles magnify the stakes. It would also give Kaun and his team a meaningful answer to the question of where they stand in AEW’s trios hierarchy.
At the same time, Kaun’s remarks illustrate the value of veteran presence in a locker room and on a national stage. Kofi’s world championship win represented a breakthrough that reached far beyond a single match result. Creed’s body of work, in Kaun’s view, has not always received the full appreciation it deserves. By recognizing both men, Kaun framed the upcoming contest as a major professional opportunity while acknowledging the influence that performers can have on those who follow them.
That perspective does not lessen the physicality expected when The Demand and New Level collide. Trios competition often depends on timing, trust, and the ability to capitalize on moments created by partners. The champion side will look to build on the momentum it generated in London, while Kaun and The Demand will aim to turn their pursuit of the titles into a breakthrough performance on “AEW Collision.”
Championship pursuit meets personal significance
Kaun now enters the match with two motivations operating at once. On one level, he is facing wrestlers he openly considers future Hall Of Famers. On another, he is preparing to fight them as rivals standing between The Demand and the AEW World Trios Championships. That mixture of respect and urgency is often what gives a major title program its strongest foundation.
Kofi and Creed have already shown they intend to make the most of their new chapter in AEW. Their All In London debut was built around surprise, but their championship victory ensured it would be remembered as something more substantial. With Strickland beside them, they have become a trio every challenger must take seriously.
Kaun, meanwhile, has made clear that he sees the magnitude of the assignment. He recognizes what Kofi’s ascent meant to him and believes Creed’s talent has deserved greater appreciation for a long time. But when The Demand steps into the ring with New Level, reverence will give way to competition. The champions have quickly become one of the division’s most prominent teams, and Kaun wants the opportunity to prove that admiration can coexist with the determination to take their championships away.
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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.