Backstage Update on New Day & Ilja Dragunov Potentially Joining AEW

As noted before, New Day’s Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston departed from WWE this past May following a mutual decision from both sides over New Day not accepting a new restructured deal offer to stay in the company. AEW has been very interested in potentially signing Woods and Kingston following their departures from WWE. Kingston and Woods are currently going by the ring names of Kofi and Austin Creed for their post-WWE wrestling careers.

Besides Kofi and Creed, Ilja Dragunov is also currently believed to be joining AEW following his departure from WWE after his contract expired earlier this month.

In regards to Kofi and Creed, WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that those within AEW are currently expecting Kofi and Creed to make their official debut for the company at this Sunday’s All In 2026 event at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

In regards to Dragunov, it was reported that one source spoken to within AEW stated that they currently expect the company to inquire about bringing him in, if they haven’t already done so.

It was reported that one source spoken to believes an AEW appearance could be on the horizon for Dragunov if talks go smoothly between the two sides.