Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed—now The New Level—have finally spoken publicly about leaving WWE, and their answers gave The Coach and Vince Russo plenty to debate. The pair discussed the emotion surrounding Big E, the moment they realized it was time to move on, and a proposed compensation reduction that Kofi said was more than 50 percent. Austin also said there was no senior-level farewell call or thank-you before their exit, while Kofi made clear that he remains grateful for the career WWE gave him. They have since debuted in AEW alongside Swerve Strickland and captured the AEW World Trios Championship at All In: London. The episode’s second major debate begins with Andrade’s Latin Lover interview, in which he argued that certain Samoan wrestlers receive repeated opportunities while Mexican talent—including Santos Escobar, Angel Garza, and Berto—often gets a much shorter window. That opens a wider conversation about favoritism, creative control, Matt Cardona’s torn triceps, the uncertainty injured performers face, and Santos Escobar’s account of the promises Nick Khan made before he re-signed. The Big Three closes with a breakdown of Paul Heyman’s Raw promo ahead of Bron Breakker versus Oba Femi. WWE framed the match as a battle for the future in which neither man can afford to lose. Could Bronson Reed’s reported return reshape The Vision, free Breakker for a singles run, and give Heyman a new monster to represent? The hosts also discuss title inflation, Sting’s son, WWE’s talent tryouts, The Miz’s ability to reinvent himself, Bayley’s possible next chapter, and the Coach and Bro-let Wheel controversy. Episode Timestamps Time Topic 00:00 Welcome and a major update on the show’s format 03:17 Coach responds to criticism over Super Chats and shorter episodes 07:40 Heel Coach returns and threatens the Coach and Bro-let Wheel 17:16 Introducing The Big Three 17:48 The New Level breaks its silence after leaving WWE 18:30 Austin Creed becomes emotional discussing Big E and family 20:03 Coach and Vince debate friendship, storylines, and real-life bonds 26:17 Kofi reveals the proposed pay reduction exceeded 50 percent 29:58 No call from WWE’s higher-ups—and Kofi’s message of gratitude 34:04 Andrade calls out unequal opportunities for Mexican talent 35:07 Favoritism, backstage connections, and how little talent controls 38:09 Matt Cardona’s injury and the fear of losing career momentum 39:52 Santos Escobar’s Nick Khan story and the reality of corporate scale 41:20 Seth Rollins, aging, injury anxiety, and a wrestler’s identity 42:31 Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Oba Femi, and Bronson Reed speculation 45:20 Are there too many championships in wrestling? 49:13 Fan-submitted ideas, creative credit, and merchandise designs 51:09 Sting’s son, young prospects, and learning from veterans 52:31 WWE’s Minneapolis tryout and the search for new talent 53:59 The Miz reaches 20 years and keeps reinventing himself 54:26 Raw’s crash-TV opening and why the announcers sounded flat 56:01 Could Bayley’s future be as an agent, trainer, or ambassador? 58:05 Coach answers a premium member’s watch-along criticism 1:00:51 JCW Lunacy, the third weekly show, and the wheel’s return 1:06:43 Final thanks and sign-off Behind The Turnbuckle delivers the best in pro wrestling coverage, news, and analysis. Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@behindtheturnbuckle Instagram: @behindtheturnbuckle Twitter/X: @behindthebuckle #BehindTheTurnbuckle #ProWrestling #WWE #AEW #Podcast YouTube Title NEW LEVEL BREAKS SILENCE on WWE EXIT + Andrade Calls Out Favoritism! | Coach & Bro 9/2/26 YouTube Description The New Level just revealed how its WWE run ended—and the number is staggering. Kofi Kingston says he and Austin Creed were asked to accept a pay reduction of more than 50 percent, while Austin says no senior WWE leader called to say thank you or goodbye. The Coach and Vince Russo break down the interview that has wrestling talking. Austin opens up about the emotion surrounding Big E and the moment his family made him realize that it was time for a new chapter. Kofi explains why gratitude for WWE can coexist with the decision to bet on yourself, work somewhere new, and demand recognition of your value. The New Level has already debuted in AEW, joined Swerve Strickland, and won the World Trios Championship at All In: London. Then Andrade ignites one of the episode’s most difficult conversations. In an interview with Latin Lover, he argued that some Samoan wrestlers receive opportunity after opportunity while Mexican performers such as Santos Escobar, Angel Garza, and Berto are given far fewer chances. Coach and Vince debate favoritism, backstage relationships, corporate priorities, and the hard truth that even elite performers control very little once their careers are in someone else’s hands. The discussion expands to Matt Cardona’s torn triceps, Chelsea Green’s ability to remain involved while injured, Santos Escobar’s revealing Nick Khan story, and the psychological toll that injuries can take on performers who have built their identities around wrestling. Finally, The Big Three turns to Paul Heyman’s Raw promo for Bron Breakker versus Oba Femi. WWE says neither man can afford to lose. Could Bronson Reed return, change the finish, and become Heyman’s next monster? Could that angle finally release Breakker from The Vision and launch the singles run many fans expect? F4W/WON reports that Reed is expected back on Raw in September, but the exact storyline remains unknown. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome and show-format update 03:17 Coach fires back at the Super Chat criticism 07:40 Heel Coach returns—and the wheel is in danger 17:16 The Big Three begins 17:48 The New Level breaks its silence 18:30 Austin Creed gets emotional about Big E 20:03 Vince and Coach clash over friendship versus storyline 26:17 Kofi reveals the proposed pay reduction exceeded 50% 29:58 No call from WWE’s higher-ups 34:04 Andrade calls out unequal opportunities 35:07 Favoritism, connections, and talent control 38:09 Matt Cardona’s injury changes everything 39:52 Santos Escobar’s Nick Khan story 41:20 Seth Rollins and the mental toll of injury 42:31 Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi: What is Heyman planning? 45:20 Are wrestling championships losing their meaning? 49:13 Creative ownership and merchandise designs 51:09 Is Sting’s son being pushed too quickly? 52:31 WWE’s Minneapolis tryout 53:59 The Miz celebrates 20 years of reinvention 54:26 Why Raw’s opening commentary lacked energy 56:01 Bayley’s possible next chapter 58:05 Coach responds to a premium-member complaint 1:00:51 Third weekly show update and the wheel returns 1:06:43 Final thanks LINKS •Kofi and Austin Creed’s Ariel Helwani interview •Yahoo Sports: The New Level on its WWE departure and proposed pay reduction •AEW: Austin Creed and Kofi debut in All Elite Wrestling •Andrade’s interview with Latin Lover •Yahoo Sports: Andrade critiques WWE’s opportunities for Mexican talent •F4W/WON: Santos Escobar reveals his Nick Khan conversation •Yahoo Sports: Matt Cardona provides an injury update •WWE: Paul Heyman has no spoiler for Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker •F4W/WON: Update on Bronson Reed’s WWE return Behind The Turnbuckle delivers the best in pro wrestling coverage, news, and analysis. Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@behindtheturnbuckle Instagram: @behindtheturnbuckle Twitter/X: @behindthebuckle #BehindTheTurnbuckle #ProWrestling #WWE #AEW #Podcast References [1] Kofi, Austin Creed reveal they were blindsided by WWE, asked to take more than 50% pay cut — Yahoo Sports [2] Austin Creed & Kofi Debut in All Elite Wrestling! — AEW [3] Andrade El Idolo Critiques WWE for Favoring Samoan Wrestlers Over Mexican Talent — Yahoo Sports [4] WWE's Matt Cardona Provides Health Update — Yahoo Sports [5] Former Santos Escobar reveals Nick Khan conversation that led to WWE return — F4W/WON [6] Paul Heyman has no spoiler for Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker — WWE [7] Update on Bronson Reed's WWE return — F4W/WON Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
