Darby Allin, the enigmatic daredevil of All Elite Wrestling, has captured the attention and admiration of fans around the world with his unique blend of reckless AND undeniable skill. His high-risk maneuvers and unorthodox approach to wrestling have made him a favorite among those who crave excitement and unpredictability in the squared circle.
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He's still early in his career, but Darby has already been involved in great feuds involving many top stars in AEW. Dave Meltzer has been kind to AEW wrestlers when using the rating scale in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This list will examine the 10 best Darby Allin matches according to his 5-star scale.
10 Vs. Brody King - PWG Two Hundred (4.25 Stars)
One of the best matches of Darby Allin's career, according to Meltzer, happened before he arrived to AEW. At PWG Two Hundred in 2019, Brody King and Allin put on a classic at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles. One of the major spots included Allin jumping off the balcony. It was the highest-rated match of the entire night.
9 Vs. Jon Moxley - Dynamite August 5, 2020 (4.25 Stars)
The AEW Championship match between Jon Moxley and Darby Allin had some exciting moments, including Allin hitting a Coffin Drop back and Moxley catching him in a rear-naked choke. Ultimately, Moxley won the match with a Paradigm Shift after about 15 minutes of back-and-forth action. The story of the match was compelling, with Moxley showing respect for Allin but ultimately realizing he needed to put him away to win. Meltzer also seemed to favor the match, awarding it 4.25 stars.
8 Vs. Cody Rhodes - Full Gear 2020 (4.25 Stars)
Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin faced off in a match for the AEW TNT Championship. The match began with some mat wrestling and gamesmanship, with Cody showcasing his power. Cody worked over Allin's left arm and stomped on it, leading to a short-arm scissors submission.
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Cody hit the Avalanche Cross Rhodes off the top rope, but Allin rolled all the way across the ring in a ridiculous sell. Allin eventually hit the Coffin Drop for a nearfall and won the match with a pinfall after a series of exchanges. Allin became the new TNT Champion and had a lackluster run, but will forever have this classic against Cody before he left the company.
7 Vs. Brian Cage - Dynamite January 7, 2021 (4.25 Stars)
In the TNT Championship match between Darby Allin and Brian Cage, Darby attacks Cage's leg and executed a suicide dive into the back of Cage, sending him into the barricade. Cage retaliated by suplexing Darby and launching him over the top rope onto a table outside the ring.
Cage dominated a large part of the match hitting a kick and an F5 on Darby. After a series of moves, Darby won the match with a crucifix bomb into a pin. The ending was a little odd due to a timing issue with the referee, but overall it was a nice main event.
6 Vs. Jungle Boy - Dynamite April 21, 2021 (4.25 Stars)
Darby Allin and Jungle Boy battled for the TNT Championship in an evenly-matched bout with both wrestlers showing off their potential. Allin eventually won the match with a creative pinfall sequence after a hard-fought 15 minutes. Both wrestlers were impressive and showed why they were considered rising stars in the wrestling world. It was one of the high spots for both wrestlers as solo performers in 2021.
5 Vs. Andrade El Idolo Vs. Sammy Guevara - Rampage March 4, 2022 (4.25 Stars)
In a triple-threat match, Sammy Guevara defended his title against Andrade El Idolo and Darby Allin. Allin started strong with a springboard arm drag, but Guevara took both of them down. Allin helped double-team Andrade with a superkick, a belt whip, and a Coast to Coast move. Andrade came back with a lifting powerbomb and kicked Guevara in the face. A Coffin Drop connected, but Sammy saved with a Swanton and retained his title in this solid match.
4 Vs. Jeff Hardy - Dynamite May 11, 2022 (4.25 Stars)
Jeff Hardy versus Darby Allin was a dream match many fans wanted the second that they found out Hardy would debut in AEW. In the men's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals, Jeff Hardy faced off against Darby Allin in an intense Anything Goes Match.
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The match featured high-octane action with plenty of dangerous moves and close calls, including a wild spot where Allin jumped from a ladder onto Jeff, who was surrounded by chairs. Despite Allin's impressive aerial maneuvers, Jeff managed to secure the victory with a crucifix pin in the final minutes of the match.
3 Vs. Samoa Joe - Dynamite February 1, 2023 (4.25 Stars)
Darby Allin faced Samoa Joe in a No Holds Barred match for the TNT Championship. Allin tried to attack Joe with a barbed wire jacket, but Joe stopped him and sent the jacket out of the ring. They fought outside the ring, with Allin hitting a suicide dive into a table that hit Joe in the eye, causing a legit cut. They continued fighting until Joe emerged as the winner, hitting Allin with a Muscle Buster onto the exposed wood, and becoming a two-time TNT Champion.
2 W/ Shingo Takagi & Sting Vs. El Phantasmo, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson - AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door (4.5 Stars)
The Bullet Club consisting of El Phantasmo, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson, along with Hikuleo, faced off against Dudes with Attitudes, made up of Darby Allin, Sting, and Shingo Takagi. The Bucks hit a double superkick on Allin and Shingo. However, Sting no-sold their attack, much to the delight of the fans. In the end, Shingo hit Phantasmo with the Last of the Dragon slam off the shoulders for the pinfall win, securing victory for Dudes with Attitudes. It was easily one of the best matches on the card and Meltzer agreed, awarding it 4.5 stars.
1 Vs. MJF - Full Gear 2021 (4.5 Stars)
The fans were divided, chanting for both wrestlers, despite MJF receiving boos upon arrival to the ring. MJF took advantage of an injured Allin with a backbreaker and a gut-wrench suplex. They continued their battle with a series of moves, leading to several nearfalls. Ultimately, MJF secured the win with a side headlock takeover, using his Dynamite Diamond Ring to knock out Allin beforehand. The match ended in a cheap finish, but still one of the best of his career.
