Wrestling legend Mick Foley, widely known as the ultimate daredevil in the squared circle, has publicly stated his intention to have a direct conversation with former AEW World Champion Darby Allin about taking fewer risks in the ring. Foley has faced numerous repercussions and dealt with several health issues as a direct result of his own balls to the wall, hardcore wrestling style. He believes Allin's consistent high risk approach is unnecessary.
Foley, much like Allin, throws caution to the wind whenever he steps into the ring. This parallel in their careers fuels Foley's concern for Allin's long term physical well-being. Foley recently discussed his plans to speak with Allin during an appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show."
Yes, I will have that conversation. I didn't think the time to have the conversation was hours before his biggest match. I've been told that people have had that conversation with him, and he says everybody does their best stuff on the pay-per-views. I owe it to my fans to do it on every televised event.
Mick Foley also disclosed that he only recently learned he was one of Darby Allin's heroes during Allin's younger, formative years. Foley recalled their initial meeting when Allin was still in his teens, highlighting a personal connection that predates Allin's professional wrestling career. This history adds a deeper layer to Foley's motivation to offer guidance.
Foley's Sincere Advice and Proposed Approach
Foley reflected on a promo he shared with Allin at the Double or Nothing event. He emphasized that everything he conveyed during that segment was genuine and deeply sincere. He stated that the advice came entirely from the heart and was based in factual experience, aiming to genuinely motivate Allin without reservation.
So, the promo I gave that genuinely seemed to fire him up was all from the heart, and they were all factual. They were all statements based in fact. But I will have that talk with him and try to find out. Like, it's got to be another gear where you can allude to the things, give people 80% of what you usually do, knowing that the vast majority of his fans will be thankful for what he gives them, and they will understand that they might have to wait until a special event to get the, you know, the 100% Darby. But, I understand many a man has tried and failed, but I'll give him the best advice I possibly can.
In his advice, Foley suggested that Allin could find a different approach, one where he could allude to his extreme tendencies and deliver roughly 80% of his usual performance during regular televised events. Foley believes fans would still appreciate this level of effort and understand that the full, 100% Darby Allin experience, with his most extreme stunts, might be reserved for special events such as pay per views. Foley acknowledged that many have attempted to persuade Allin in the past, but he intends to offer his best possible counsel regarding his in ring style.
Darby Allin's In Ring Freedom and AEW Concerns
Within All Elite Wrestling, Darby Allin has been given the freedom to be his natural self and express his high risk style. This creative liberty has allowed him to perform in a manner consistent with his daredevil persona, contributing to his unique appeal among fans. However, there have been times when Allin has pushed things too far, even leading to concern from AEW CEO Tony Khan.
One notable example occurred during Sting's final match, where Allin went through glass. This particular maneuver, while visually impactful, raised significant concerns for Tony Khan due to its extreme nature and potential for serious injury. This incident underscores the ongoing discussion and apprehension regarding Allin's extensive in ring risk taking, even within a company that generally permits such creative expression.
