WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash recently joked about the possibility of Darby Allin holding the AEW World Championship for five years if he defeats Jon Moxley, highlighting a potential shift in Allin’s character. Nash made these remarks during the Kliq This podcast, blending humor with speculation on AEW’s future title landscape and praising Allin’s evolving wrestling style.
Jon Moxley secured the AEW World Championship at WrestleDream 2024 by overcoming Bryan Danielson and is slated to defend the belt against “Hangman” Adam Page at the upcoming All In: Texas event. Despite this, Nash suggested that Moxley—whom he referred to by his WWE ring name, Dean Ambrose—might soon relinquish the title to either Adam Page or Darby Allin, joking about the length of the next champion’s reign and Allin’s new wrestling approach.
Kevin Nash Envisions Darby Allin as a Mat Wrestling Specialist
In his comments, Nash advocated for the next AEW champion to have an extended tenure, aiming for a five-year reign. He humorously described Darby Allin’s transformation from a high-risk daredevil to a sophisticated mat wrestler, comparing Allin’s potential new style to that of legendary grappler Bob Backlund.
I’m just worried about when is Dean Ambrose going to defend his title? [Do you know how long he has been champion?] I think a year. [Whoever is going to dethrone Jon Moxley will have to be a champion for a year] I think five. And I’m thinking five years. Hangman or Darby Allin. We call Darby Allin Mr. Everest. He went to the top of the mountain. Saw things clearly. No longer risktaker, complete mat wrestler, much like Bob Backlund. We take it back. [From 1:33 to 2:35]
Nash’s comparison of Allin to “Mr. Everest” reflected his view that Allin has climbed to new heights in his skill level and mindset, suggesting a more technical and grounded wrestling style could define his future AEW run. This idea contrasts with Allin’s earlier image as a high-flying daredevil and emphasizes grappling and mat-based techniques.
The Debate over Jon Moxley’s Championship Defenses and Exposure
Since winning the AEW World Championship, Jon Moxley has faced various opponents, including Orange Cassidy, Jay White, Adam Page, Christian Cage, Cope, Swerve Strickland, and Samoa Joe. Nonetheless, criticism exists around the frequency and nature of his title defenses, particularly as he frequently appears involved with The Death Riders faction rather than defending the championship regularly in singles matches.
This issue was humorously addressed by Nash, who expressed concern over Moxley being overexposed through constant title defenses and promos, which he feels could reduce the audience’s investment in the championship scene.
I think that f*****g Moxley is asked to f*****g defend that belt too many times [It’s overexposure, that’s the problem] That’s the problem [You have to find new finishes. How many angles? If he’s defending it 300 times a year, how many ongoing angles could you have?] At this point, he shouldn’t work for five years. [That’s what they’re going to have to do] Exactly [Five years of promos] Just maybe just some shots him walking around the building with a hoodie on. It’s good s**t man. [From 23:32 to 24:14]
Nash’s remarks emphasize the challenge AEW faces in balancing frequent title defenses with maintaining fresh storylines and audience interest. He suggested the possibility of spacing out Moxley’s work to maintain the title’s prestige and build anticipation around each defense.
Implications for AEW’s Championship Future and Darby Allin’s Role
The idea of a five-year AEW title reign, especially for a wrestler like Darby Allin, signals a potential major shift in storytelling within AEW’s championship scene. If Allin evolves into the mat wrestling style Nash imagines, it could broaden his appeal and reshape the way fans view his character, possibly establishing him as a technical powerhouse rather than only a daredevil performer.
Meanwhile, Jon Moxley’s reign continues to be a focal point within AEW, with fans and insiders awaiting his next defense and how long he will maintain the championship. This period of transition may open the door for a new champion who combines longevity with a refreshed wrestling approach, as Nash suggests.
With the upcoming bout between Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page at All In: Texas, and Darby Allin’s rising prominence, the AEW World Championship storyline is poised for exciting developments that could redefine the promotion’s main event scene for years to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Darby Allin?
A. During this event, Jon Moxley and the Death Riders pushed him down some stairs. They planned to take him off TV so he could get ready to climb Mount Everest this year. Allin’s climb was scheduled for 2024.
Q. Did Darby Allin climb Everest?
A. Darby Allin is the first wrestler to climb to the top of Mount Everest. Jeremy Spaulding Hogan planned to do it, too, but he didn’t succeed. Hogan was supposed to make the climb after facing Benjamin Shelton.
