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Darby Allin details goal to ‘lead by example’ following Sting’s influence

Posted: Aug 25th 2026 By: Rosanne Raphael

Darby Allin checked off winning the AEW World Championship in April this year. Despite the barely 40-day title reign the accomplishment remains a significant milestone in his career.

Speaking with Rob Wolkenbrod in an exclusive interview for Forbes, Allin discussed what he hopes to achieve after winning the AEW World Title. He takes inspiration from Sting returning to the ring despite his spinal injury in late 2014, and cannot ‘slow down’ in the ring despite being told to.

“Just doing things my way and never compromising because we go back to Sting; he had nothing left to prove when he had the injury in 2014 that eventually ended his wrestling career,” said Allin. “The fact that he came back to wrestling and went out on his own terms – that’s important to me.”

“So just keep doing things on your own terms and living life to the fullest and never, never phoning it in, never taking it off. Some will say, ‘Just slow down.’ I can’t. I physically and mentally can’t. Every time I step in the ring, even if it’s, like, a six-minute match, I’m going ballistic because I just never want to take anything for granted.”

“That’s kind of my whole goal with this, moving on. Just keep doing things my way, lead by example, and show everybody that you should never take it off.”

Allin went on to highlight the lessons he learned from the wrestling legend and the lasting impact he has had on his career, explaining how he continues to incorporate them into his approach.

“Yeah, how to carry yourself out of the ring. We’re talking about a guy who’s done everything there is to do in the industry, and when you talk to him, he’s the most humble, chill guy. He doesn’t big league anybody, and that’s kind of what I realized later on because there’s so many egos where it’s like, ‘Oh, I can’t show any weakness.’ He’s so chill and so happy all the time.”

“That’s what I hold on to most now that his career ended – how he conducts himself when the 15-minute ride is over. That’s what kind of inspired me the most.”