Darby Allin, widely recognized today for his fearless style in AEW, first gained attention during his run in the independent wrestling scene throughout the 2010s. Among the various promotions he competed in, including DEFY, PWG, and EVOLVE, Allin identifies his favorite indie match as the one he had against WALTER, who is now better known to WWE audiences as Gunther. This match stood out due to the intense dynamic between Allin and his much larger opponent, leaving a lasting impression on the wrestler himself.
Allin shared his experience on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast:
I end up having the singles match with and it was incredible, it was so fun,
expressing his appreciation for facing bigger wrestlers. He added,
Like when I’m in there, I love being in the ring with guys where you can actually be lost in the moment. Guys like Gunther, Brody King you know? Like all these people where you feeling like ‘I’m in a real fight.’ It’s gnarly, so yeah that was incredible.
How Allin Claimed Victory Despite the Size Disparity
Although Gunther’s size and strength presented a formidable challenge, Darby Allin was able to secure a surprising win in their 2018 meeting. When asked about how he managed to come out on top, Allin’s response was succinct and focused: “All I need is three.” This phrase underscores his confidence and determination despite the physical mismatch. Given their current commitments—Gunther recently signing a new WWE contract and Allin’s dedication to AEW—it appears unlikely that this encounter will be repeated in the near future.
Darby Allin’s Serious Injury Delayed His Match With Gunther
A notable behind-the-scenes detail about the Allin-Gunther match is that it was originally scheduled to take place earlier but was postponed due to a dangerous injury Allin suffered on the same day. Despite his usual resilience, Allin experienced a life-threatening head injury that nearly prevented him from competing that night.
He recalled,
I was supposed to originally wrestle him a month prior, but I had this crazy, crazy injury where I was bleeding from the brain, and it was like a double shot where I wrestled in the morning and I was supposed to wrestle Gunther at night, WALTER at the time, wrestle him at night. It was like two shows in one day.
Describing the severity of the injury, Allin said,
The morning show, I hit the concrete on my head so hard that like I just started feeling everything started to get quiet, and I felt like something was like swelling and I could barely hear people. I was like ‘Oh, this ain’t normal,’ Went to the hospital and they’re like ‘You’re bleeding from the brain, we have to put you under’ and stuff like that. It’s pretty crazy. But just imagine if I didn’t go to the hospital, I probably would have died that night against WALTER.
Allin’s Physical Toll and Recovery Outside the Ring
While Darby Allin is celebrated for enduring brutal spots in AEW, the extent of his damage over the years includes more than broken bones and bruises. After signing with AEW in 2019, the longest break from wrestling came not from injury, but from his extraordinary endeavor climbing Mount Everest in early 2025. Prior to that, he suffered a foot fracture during a singles match against Jay White in March 2024, which sidelined him for two months. During that recovery period, he also endured a broken nose after being struck by a bus in New York City, compounding the challenges he faced while away from the ring.
Understanding the Impact of Allin’s Experience With Gunther
The 2018 match between Darby Allin and Gunther carries special significance as a highlight of his time on the independent circuit, illustrating his ability to compete against larger opponents with grit and precision. It represents a key chapter in Allin’s career that helped lay the foundation for his later success in AEW. With Gunther’s new WWE contract and Allin’s loyalty to AEW, fans may never witness a rematch, making their bout a memorable meeting of two contrasting but equally intense competitors.
Walter(Gunther) vs Darby Allin
byu/MisticMistics inSquaredCircle
