Darby Allin, one of AEW’s standout performers, has made it clear that he is not focused on capturing the AEW World Championship. Known for his fearless and high-risk wrestling style, Allin has earned a dedicated following due to his willingness to put everything on the line inside the ring. Despite his popularity and accomplishments, his mindset about the AEW World Title differs from many of his peers.
Allin, an original member of AEW, has spent part of 2025 away from wrestling after an extraordinary personal achievement: climbing Mount Everest in May, where he planted an AEW flag at the summit. This feat has clearly influenced his perspective on professional wrestling and personal success. As of mid-2025, he has not yet returned to active competition and is not officially booked for the upcoming All In Texas pay-per-view event on July 12th, though his appearance in some form is still possible.
Insights from Darby Allin’s Everest Climb
During an interview with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast, Allin shared how climbing Everest impacted him both physically and mentally. He explained that despite the extreme challenge, he felt surprisingly strong upon his return, even traveling immediately afterward to the Bahamas to film for Shark Week.
“I’m surprisingly feeling great. I thought coming back I was going to be all mangled and shit. Outside of wrestling and skateboarding, I do all these other crazy things. Pretty much, as soon as I got back, I was on a plane to the Bahamas to film Shark Week. It was a whole thing, but my body feels great.” —Darby Allin
Allin reflected on the emotional process of reaching the summit, describing it as more than just a physical achievement but a profound internal journey.
“I feel mentally great. I learned so much inside of myself on that mountain. A lot of people say it’s not about summiting Mount Everest, it’s about conquering yourself and your inside and pulling stuff out. It’s a beautiful journey and pulling stuff out of you. When I got to the top of the mountain, I was crying. It was such an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. It’s pulling something out of yourself.” —Darby Allin
This experience helped Allin realize a deeper truth about his capabilities and what truly matters in life beyond professional wrestling.
Proving Capability Beyond Wrestling’s Politics
Allin also addressed the differences between his Everest climb and the pro wrestling industry. He highlighted the challenges wrestlers face, where career progression often depends on decisions made by others rather than sheer ability or performance.
“It’s proving to yourself that you’re capable of anything. I know that sounds generic, but honestly, in the pro wrestling world, the guy who runs the show controls how far you’re going to make it or how well you’re going to make it. Someone is in control of your destiny.” —Darby Allin
Unlike combat sports such as boxing or MMA, where victories are clear and uncontestable, wrestling involves “politicking and random s**t,” making success unpredictable and dependent on backstage dynamics. His uphill climb on Everest presented a direct, unpoliticized challenge where he alone controlled the outcome.
“It is so much politicking and random s**t that goes into it. I wanted to prove to myself that I’m f**king capable of it. You can’t politic your way up that mountain. There is no helicopter that goes up that high where you can jump out and take a photo on the summit, ‘I climbed Everest,’ and lie to people. You have to track and crawl your way up that s**t.” —Darby Allin
Contentment in AEW Without Chasing the World Championship
Darby Allin’s wrestling career in AEW includes notable achievements such as two reigns as TNT Champion and a Tag Team Championship alongside Sting. Despite this success, he has expressed that holding the AEW World Title is not a priority, reflecting a sense of fulfillment beyond championship gold.
“I told Tony (Khan) before I went to Everest, ‘I already feel like I’m the champion of the world. I don’t need the championship belt to feel validated because I’m already winning in life. I feel so free and happy. I’m grateful for everything.’” —Darby Allin
When prompted by Maron about whether holding the AEW World Championship would be desirable, Allin showed indifference to the status quo of championship pursuits.
“It depends. I don’t know. I really don’t give a s**t. Some people are so concerned with winning this thing. I just want to have good storylines. I’m not trying to be like, ‘I need to be the top guy.’ I want to have good s**t.” —Darby Allin
This attitude draws clear boundaries between Allin’s priorities and the typical championship-focused ambitions of many wrestling stars, showing a focus on meaningful storytelling over titles.
Current AEW Landscape and Darby Allin’s Place
Jon Moxley has held the AEW World Championship for about nine months, solidifying his run as a top star in the promotion. Many fans anticipated a confrontation between Moxley and Allin upon the latter’s return, but as 2025 unfolds, Allin remains absent from AEW programming and promotional materials for major events. His evolving mindset toward wrestling, fueled by his Everest experience, adds a distinctive layer to his character and future trajectory within AEW.
Broader Wrestling News and Industry Movements
Besides Allin’s personal journey and AEW status, the wrestling world is witnessing notable developments. Karrion Kross may rise as WWE’s leading babyface if a key return occurs, while TNA Wrestling is close to finalizing a new media rights agreement. WWE has confirmed a significant departure after 15 years, adding to the company’s changes. Meanwhile, speculation grows about Saraya potentially returning to WWE, and on the AEW side, tensions are building as MJF prepares to challenge Jon Moxley again at the All In event.
Other storylines feature Cody Rhodes hinting at a heel turn, and Randy Orton’s pursuit of another world title continues, indicating an active and transforming wrestling landscape. Additionally, upcoming matches will see WWE talents Ricky Starks and Ethan Page face off, underscoring rivalry dynamics that extend across promotions.
What Darby Allin’s Approach Means Going Forward
Darby Allin’s recent statements suggest he has shifted his focus from traditional championship aspirations to a broader understanding of success and fulfillment. His Everest ascent symbolizes personal conquest that transcends scripted outcomes and backstage politics, which often control wrestling careers. This philosophy may influence how he approaches future opportunities in AEW, emphasizing creative storytelling and personal integrity over titles.
As AEW continues to grow and evolve, Allin’s unique mindset brings a refreshing perspective, challenging the conventional wrestling narrative where championships define worth. Whether or not he returns to pursue the AEW World Title, his status as a multifaceted individual and performer remains intact, impacting fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened between Darby Allin and Gigi Dolin?
A. Four months after their separation, Vickie Guerrero discussed on her podcast that she and Allin were divorced but still stayed friends.
Q. Did Darby Allin climb Everest?
A. Darby Allin is now the first wrestler to climb Mount Everest. Jeremy Spaulding Hogan planned to achieve this but didn’t succeed. Before attempting the climb, Hogan had a match with Benjamin Shelton.
Q. Did Darby Allin get hit by a bus?
A. Imagine the uncomfortable situation of trying to cross a street in New York with a broken foot and then getting hit by a bus.
