Darby Allin on The Hardys Being Inspiration for Him Pursing Pro Wrestling Career, His Belief That Having Kids of His Own Wouldn’t Make Him Tone Down His Wrestling Style, & Being Happy Taking Risks In Wrestling

ESPN held a recent interview with AEW World Champion Darby Allin. One of the topics discussed included Allin’s thoughts about how watching The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) influenced his decision to pursue a pro wrestling career despite his small size.

“[Jeff and Matt Hardy] definitely made me feel like it was possible because it wasn’t about their physique. It was more about whatever they’re willing to endure for the crowd.”

Allin also gave his thoughts about how he had attended an indie event that had the “worst wrestling” he had ever seen but it made him want to give a shot at a pro wrestling career.

“If people are paying to see this, maybe I should really give it a shot. And I just said, ‘Screw it, dude. I’m just going to go all-in on this.’”

Allin also gave his thoughts about if his style of wrestling will change and be toned down when he potentially has children of his own in the future.

“Will having kids of my own change me and make me tone it down? No, I don’t believe so. And I’ll tell you why. Because the moment I have a kid, I want to keep showing them that there’s no age limit that says you must calm down. You have to be that much more inspiring to them, because, who am I if I’m playing it safe with my 5-year-old? That’s not Darby Allin. But if I’m strapping the 5-year-old to a Can-Am and going on some jumps? That’s who I am. I want my kids to have the confidence I never had growing up.”

All also gave his thoughts about a spot he took from this past March’s AEW Revolution 2026 event involving Clark Connors spearing him to the floor.

“Connors was new to AEW, and it was his first pay-per-view, so he had to make an impact,” Allin told ESPN. “I’ve been there and know what it’s like to want to make an impact, so I thought I’d help him have his moment.”

In response to a question from Andreas Hale about “how is he still alive?” in regards to the spot from Connors, Allin responded stating that he has no answer to it.

“I’ve used about all my nine lives. so I have no answer to that.”

Allin also gave his thoughts about if the worst thing that is going to happen is him dying, then so be it since he is happy living a life taking risks.

“If the worst that is going to happen to me is dying, so be it. It’s fine, but it’s not worth sitting by and watching this life go by and doing nothing interesting with it.”