Former World Champion returns on AEW Dynamite
For the first time since losing the AEW World title and then being taken out afterward while lying on a stretcher, former champion Darby Allin made his surprise return on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Allin returned to go after reigning TNT Champion Kevin Knight who turned on Allin at last month’s Double or Nothing after he lost the World title to MJF in the main event. Knight came out to run off MJF and then delivered a UFO splash to his friend as he was being taken out on a stretcher.
Knight, flanked by Don Callis, came out Wednesday to cut a promo following his win over former partner “Speedball” Mike Bailey last week when he called out MJF for a title shot so he could become “Jet 2 Belts.”
Instead, Allin’s music hit and he ran in behind Knight, nailing him with his skateboard. Allin then went for a Coffin Drop, but took off through the crowd as other members of the Callis clan ran out to attack.
The two have squared off twice in AEW history, once in the 2025 Continental Classic where Knight won and put Allin out of action due to a legit injury. Allin defeated him in a rematch this past May for the AEW World title.
Neither Allin nor Knight have been announced for this month’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view. Allin has noted that he is getting married the day before.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.