In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, AEW star Darby Allin provided a candid update on the atmosphere within the company’s locker room. The former TNT Champion described the current vibe as “amazing” and attributed the positive shift to the removal of what he referred to as “cancer.”
Allin contrasted the present-day environment with that of a few years ago, which he said was filled with tension. “It’s amazing. I’m not just saying that,” Allin began. “Say, a few years ago, you definitely felt this tension, but now it’s like, everybody’s on the same page. Let’s make this place as good as possible… I feel like right now, more than ever, everybody’s on the same wavelength. Everybody has the same goals.”
When asked what changed to create this more positive atmosphere, Allin was blunt. “The cancer got cut out, which is just egotistical wrestlers that don’t want to lose,” he stated.
He elaborated on his disdain for egos in professional wrestling, arguing that it goes against the collaborative nature of the art form. “At the end of the day, this is all staged. It’s the greatest thing in the world, but it’s staged. So if you’re going to have an ego about that, get out of the fucking sport,” Allin said. “Go be in the UFC. Go try. Don’t be bringing that shit here. This is about having fun… I don’t like egos. I can’t stand them.”
Allin’s comments about “tension” and “cancer” being removed are widely seen as a reference to the backstage turmoil that involved CM Punk, which ultimately led to Punk’s termination from AEW in September 2023. Since then, many within the company have spoken about a more positive and unified locker room.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Ariel Helwani with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
