Darby Allin Solidified As A Top Player In AEW At ‘Full Gear’

Darby Allin stepped up to Cody Rhodes for the AEW TNT Championship at Full Gear on Saturday, November 7. The enigmatic Allin delivered the kind of effort that he’s become famous for during his AEW run and in the end, he emerged victorious.

This is Darby’s first championship in Tony Khan’s company and for many fans, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Darby has been gaining momentum for several months and this was the end result of a long road in AEW. But this is more than just a title win, it’s proof positive that Darby Allin is a true player in the company.

Darby has always been special. The 27-year old star has found his own niche in the business and he’s done it by being himself. He’s not loud, he’s not flashy and he’s not a stereotype. He’s not the sort of pro wrestler that fans are accustomed to seeing in the ring and all of that ultimately works in his favor.

Darby Allin stands out because he’s different. No one looks like him and no one sounds like him. Allin’s persona is not a gimmick, it’s an extension of who he is. He’s an Edgar Allen Poe novel come to life. He’s unique, he’s often bizarre, but he’s always captivating. Darby Allin is a living shadow, a creature that is more complex than anyone can imagine.

Avalanche Cross Rhodes! ? #AEWFullGear pic.twitter.com/QMAcczP4Bm

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) November 8, 2020

But it’s the man behind the paint that makes it all work. Darby is absolutely fearless in every aspect of his game. He’s more than willing to put his own body on the line to accomplish his goals. It’s that desire to reach his destination that has instilled so much loyalty in his followers. They believe in him because he believes in himself.

But while Darby has become a real attraction in AEW, the fact is that status has not really helped his overall cause. Oftentimes, such attractions are pigeonholed and perhaps not used to their fullest potential. While he has become an icon to younger fans and a highly marketable star for the company, he’s never really moved into the next phase of his career. Of course that’s definitely not the case now.

Darby is now a champion and the title around his waist is the second most important one in AEW. That’s thanks to Cody Rhodes, who built the TNT Championship from the ground up. The championship is AEW’s television title and is regularly defended on Dynamite. It’s become the workhorse title in the company and whoever holds it must carry that banner.

Relive the countdown to Allin vs Rhodes at Full Gear!

There’s no question that being TNT champion puts Darby on another level. But it also means that he’s taken the next step in his AEW evolution. Now he’s much more than a character and his future is more clearly defined than ever before. But what does this mean for Darby moving forward?

The options for Allin are now wide open. That may have been the case behind the scenes before, but now the AEW fanbase sees it as well. They know that by winning the title, Darby is now in another phase of his career. They also know that if he has a successful title run, there’s every reason to believe that he could get a serious program for the AEW World Championship  afterward and if that happens, it’s entirely possible that he will win that title.

Perception is reality for fans, who now view him as a true top guy, that much is certain. But the big question now is, will that successful title run actually materialize? Brodie Lee was the only other man to hold the TNT Championship and though he held it for nearly two months, he wasn’t the constant pro wrestling presence on TV that Cody was. Will the same hold true for Darby?

Heartbreaking for me, but a special night for @DarbyAllin – the rookies aren’t rookies anymore. They are stars.

You can be a loner, but now you’re a leader.

Thank you @AEW and the fans here tonight and watching on PPV. It was an honor to be your champion. pic.twitter.com/AEhAEEzW2n

— Cody (@CodyRhodes) November 8, 2020

Does AEW see Darby Allin as such a special and unique attraction that he should be used sparingly? If so, does that mean he will only defend the title on rare occasions? If the popular belief is that he must be kept somewhat separate to remain special, then what does that mean for his main even potential in the future?

The truth is that AEW knows what it has with Darby. Tony Khan and crew understand that Allin is indeed a once in a lifetime talent and that’s how the star has been booked from the very beginning. While anything could happen moving forward, it seems that AEW has the best of intentions when it comes to Darby and his legacy in the company. 

It’s too early to know how AEW will handle this situation, but it’s obvious that the company has struck at the right time. The road to Full Gear was leading in this direction and Darby’s victory felt like perfect timing. It was a satisfying end to the this chapter of Allin versus Rhodes and whether or not it will be the beginning of great things for Darby is unknown. But there’s no doubt that he is now on his way.

 

Tom Clark is a Senior Pro Wrestling Analyst and Featured Columnist for Wrestling Rumors. His podcast, Tom Clark’s Main Event, is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube and live every Friday at 12pm EST on Wrestling Rumors Facebook Live