Tony Khan says Darby Allin returned from Mt. Everest as ‘another level of a great person’

Image: AEW

AEW head Tony Khan was a big fan of Darby Allin before his climb up Mt. Everest earlier this year and was even more so after Allin returned to the company this summer.

During an interview with Busted Open Radio that ran Wednesday, Dave LaGreca asked about Khan’s feelings on Allin as he let the former TNT & Tag Team Champion take time off to do the climb and when he did, he unfurled the AEW flag to celebrate — something Khan said “meant the world” to him.

Khan said Allin had “the most positive mindset” before he departed for the climb and while Khan felt he was always the “ultimate team player before he left,” he thinks Allin kicked it up a notch when he returned.

“He went from being a ten to an 11 when it came to selflessness and his attitude. He already had the best attitude that I know, but he came back another level of a great person. He is so selfless and came back so centered and so focused, I was blown away,” Khan said.

Khan added Allin was even more considerate of other people and how he could help AEW. After being gone for more than six months, Allin returned at July’s All In during the Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley AEW World title match to help Page.

Khan was not asked about the recent controversy involving former AEW coach Sarah Stock who took to X to publicly criticize an aquarium tank spot during the Allin and Moxley I Quit match.

During the interview, Khan reiterated how WrestleDream was one of his favorite shows they have ever done, as well as a status check on Chris Jericho.