I have the same issue since I updated my iphone 8 and my apple watch, freeze etc..when trying to use my airpods. Here’s the only solution I found : put the watch in airplane mode (be sure to have it setup so that it stops all connections wifi and bt), now the airpods will connect and work as they were before upgrade. Interrestingly enough it seems I can then reconnect my watch and still have everything working.... Try and let me know....but a nice bug indeed

This is what I posted in a separate thread: I have the same issue since I updated my iphone 8 and my apple watch, freeze etc..when trying to use my airpods. Here’s the only solution I found : put the watch in airplane mode (be sure to have it setup so that it stops all connections wifi and bt), now the airpods will connect and work as they were before upgrade. Interrestingly enough it seems I can then reconnect my watch and still have everything working.... Try and let me know....but a nice bug indeed 

WatchOS 7.0.2 seems to fix the issue for me...

WatchOS 7.0.2 seems to fix the issue for me...

Ok so since last month (when I thought WatchOs 7.0.2 fixed the issue) I upgraded to the 12 pro, installed 7.1 on the watch and 14.2 on the new iPhone and I'm back to square 1....AirPods 2 are working, no issues but, to get the AirPods Pro to work, I have to switch my watch to airplane mode then connect my AirPods Pro. I can then switch back the watch to normal and the AirPods Pro would continue to work. But if I put them back on their case, I'll have to switch again the watch to airplane....and so on....Very frustrating Apple, not an enjoyable user experience I would say :-(