Bishop Kaun has offered major praise for the men standing across from The Demand in this week’s AEW Trios Championship match, but he is not allowing that admiration to soften his focus ahead of a pivotal Dynamite main-event-level opportunity.
The Demand will challenge The New Level and Swerve Strickland for the AEW Trios Championships on Wednesday night. The result will carry immediate consequences beyond the title change itself: whichever trio leaves Dynamite with the championships will move on to defend them against Hangman Page, Bandido and Brody King at All Out this weekend.
That creates a particularly compressed and demanding schedule for the champions. The New Level and Strickland must first survive a hungry challenger in The Demand before they can turn their attention toward Page, Bandido and King. For The Demand, meanwhile, the Dynamite contest represents a chance not only to win championship gold, but also to alter the All Out landscape just days before the event.
Kaun spoke about the magnitude of facing The New Level and did not minimize what Kofi and Austin Creed bring to the matchup. He described both men as future Hall of Famers, pointing to Kofi’s journey to the world championship and Creed’s opportunity to show his ability on Wednesday nights.
For more background on this topic, read Steven Borden Acknowledges Growing Fan Attention Ahead of AEW All Out.
“Oh, I just got chills, and 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, like seeing him climb that mountain. Then you got Creed, who I feel like, for such a long time was so like undervalued of how good he is, and now he gets the ball out every week on Wednesday. Like those are cool dudes, but I’m gonna have to beat the ass this week.”
Respect Meets Championship Ambition
Kaun’s comments draw a sharp line between appreciating an opponent’s accomplishments and conceding anything once the match begins. In professional wrestling, especially in a title match with an All Out defense waiting for the winner, respect can establish the gravity of a contest. It does not change the central objective.
For Kaun, Kofi’s past world championship victory remains an emotional benchmark. His description of being moved by Kofi “climb[ing] that mountain” reflects the significance of that achievement and the personal impact it had on viewers and fellow wrestlers alike. At the same time, Kaun is preparing to oppose Kofi rather than celebrate him.
He also made a point of highlighting Creed’s standing as a performer. Kaun said Creed had been undervalued for a long time and noted that he is now receiving the chance to showcase himself each Wednesday. That assessment recognizes the importance of opportunity as much as talent. The New Level are entering a championship match with established credentials, but they also have momentum built around a new chapter and regular visibility in AEW.
The Demand’s challenge arrives at a moment when that momentum is being tested at the highest level. A victory would end The New Level and Strickland’s reign before All Out and place The Demand in a marquee championship defense against Page, Bandido and King. A loss would mean The New Level and Strickland retain control of the division heading into a difficult weekend title bout.
A High-Stakes Dynamite Before All Out
The timing of the match makes the AEW Trios Championships a central issue on Dynamite. This is not a case where the champions have a long period to recover, regroup or establish a new plan after a successful defense. The winning trio will have only a short turnaround before being required to face a completely different challenge at All Out.
Page, Bandido and King bring considerable pressure simply by virtue of being next in line for the championship opportunity. The prospect of facing that trio is significant for either The New Level and Strickland or The Demand. But the first task is Wednesday, and Kaun’s comments leave little room for the idea that his group is looking past the current champions.
That is important because championship situations with a major event so close can tempt contenders to focus on the larger card ahead. The Demand do not have that luxury. They must defeat champions who include Kofi and Creed, two wrestlers Kaun openly holds in high regard, and Swerve Strickland, before any All Out plans can become reality.
The New Level and Strickland have an equally clear incentive to keep the titles. Retaining on Dynamite would allow them to enter All Out as the champions and preserve their scheduled showdown with Page, Bandido and King. Losing, however, would mean their title reign ends before the weekend and that The Demand receive the spotlight attached to the defense.
Kaun’s Message Is Straightforward
There is no ambiguity in Kaun’s stance. He can view Kofi’s world title ascent as inspiring. He can believe Creed has not always received the full credit his performances deserve. He can call both men future Hall of Famers. None of that changes what he intends to do in the ring.
His closing statement was blunt: “those are cool dudes, but I’m gonna have to beat the ass this week.” It is the kind of message that fits a championship challenger who understands exactly what is at stake. The Demand are not entering the bout to add another chapter to The New Level’s story. They are seeking to take the AEW Trios Championships for themselves.
Kaun’s words also frame the match as more than a routine clash between allies. The titleholders have opponents who are fully aware of their standing and willing to acknowledge it publicly. That recognition can make the competition more compelling, because The Demand are approaching the champions with no suggestion that they are overlooking their accomplishments or underestimating their ability.
Instead, Kaun has presented the upcoming contest as a collision between proven names and a challenger determined to make the most of a high-value opening. The New Level and Strickland have the championships. The Demand have the opportunity to take them. And Page, Bandido and King are waiting at All Out for whoever survives.
The Trios Division’s Immediate Direction
Wednesday’s result will establish the immediate direction of the AEW Trios division. If The New Level and Strickland retain, they carry their reign into All Out and prepare for an imposing trio in Page, Bandido and King. If The Demand win, Kaun and his partners quickly become champions with a major defense already set for the weekend.
Either outcome produces a meaningful All Out championship match, but the path there will be decided on Dynamite. That makes Kaun’s mixture of praise and aggression fitting for the moment. He is aware of the reputation Kofi and Creed have built, and he is aware of the opportunity placed in front of The Demand.
The respect is real. So is the challenge. For Kaun and The Demand, the mission is to leave Dynamite with the AEW Trios Championships and force the All Out title picture to run through them.
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.