Darby Allin reached the top of AEW on Wednesday night, defeating MJF in the main event of Dynamite Spring BreakThru to capture the AEW World Championship for the first time in his career.

The title change took place at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, just a short distance from where Allin first trained at the Buddy Wayne Academy. The bout was given the spotlight with no commercial interruptions, a full 60 minute time limit, and officiated by Aubrey Edwards.

Allin secured the opportunity at Dynasty when he overcame Andrade El Idolo, despite interference attempts from the Don Callis Family, who had been aligned with MJF in trying to keep him away from the title picture.

Earlier in the night, Renee Paquette revealed that AEW officials had spent days attempting to contact MJF about the match, with the champion unaware it had been scheduled. When finally told, MJF refused to compete, citing injuries from his lengthy match with Kenny Omega at Dynasty and even threatening legal action against multiple parties including AEW and its officials.

Bryan Danielson later delivered word from Tony Khan that MJF would be given time to prepare, with the match moved to the main event. However, he made it clear that refusal to compete would result in MJF being stripped of the championship.

The delay created a tense atmosphere, with Allin left waiting nearly two hours before finally getting his shot. Commentary noted the emotional toll, with Danielson pointing out that Allin appeared less confident backstage compared to earlier in the night. Before the match, Sting offered a final message of encouragement, telling him, “It’s not showtime. It’s your time. Go take it.”

Heading into the bout, Allin was 0 and 3 in previous AEW World Championship matches, having fallen short against Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and in a four way match at Double or Nothing 2023. This marked his first one on one world title opportunity in nearly six years.

Once the bell rang, MJF resorted to familiar tactics, landing a low blow out of the referee’s view and using the Dynamite Diamond Ring. He attempted to repeat history with a headlock takeover following the shot, but Allin countered, hitting a Scorpion Death Drop before delivering multiple Coffin Drops. He then secured the pinfall to end MJF’s reign.

The celebration that followed saw the AEW locker room pour out to congratulate Allin, with his family joining him at ringside. Excalibur reflected on the moment, saying, “Where were you on Wednesday, April 15? I’ll tell you where I was, in Seattle, Washington, when Darby Allin claimed the richest prize in our sport and he became World Champion.” Bryan Danielson described it as “a defining moment, not only for his career, but a defining moment for All Elite Wrestling.”

Earlier in the show, Allin had made his intentions clear in a passionate promo, stating, “All it takes is one night to drop the wrestling world on its head. If I’m not ready now, I’ll never be ready. I killed myself for this company. I climbed Mount Everest and I hung that flag on top of the world. The scars, the blood, everything. I’m ready. I’ve been ready.”

As noted, MJF’s latest AEW World Championship reign has come to an end, but the fallout from the title change is now driving discussion among fans.

The main event of AEW Dynamite Spring BreakThru saw Darby Allin challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship. The match itself was shorter than expected, with Allin taking control early and never letting the champion recover.

Allin delivered four Coffin Drops in succession before finishing the match by referencing his past rivalry with MJF. He secured the win with a headlock takeover into a pin, capturing the AEW World Championship in decisive fashion.

Following the show, MJF took to X to react to the loss, directly tagging Tony Khan in his post. While his message drew attention, much of the reaction online has centered on how the match was handled rather than the tweet itself.

Fans quickly voiced strong opinions across social media, focusing on several key points surrounding the finish and booking of the match.

One major criticism stems from MJF’s momentum heading into the bout. He had recently defeated top names such as Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega in physically demanding matches. That made the quick loss to Allin stand out even more, with some viewers feeling the result did not align with his recent performances.

Another point of debate has been Allin’s positioning as AEW World Champion. Some fans have questioned whether he fits the traditional image of a top champion, leading to mixed reactions about the decision.

There has also been scrutiny of the finish itself. Some viewers believe MJF’s shoulders were not fully down during the pinfall, adding to the controversy surrounding the result.

The combination of a quick match, the decisive finish, and the circumstances surrounding the pin has made this one of the most talked-about outcomes in recent AEW programming.

With Allin now holding the AEW World Championship, attention shifts to how AEW follows up on the title change and addresses the reaction from its audience.

MJF Reacts to AEW Title Loss as Fans Question Darby Allin Victory

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Nick Khan discussed ticket pricing for WrestleMania 42 and WWE’s global expansion strategy during an appearance at the SBJ CAA World Congress of Sports event in Los Angeles.

Speaking about the cost of attending WWE’s biggest event, Khan made it clear that pricing is determined by demand rather than a fixed internal structure.

“We’re feeling good,” Khan said. “Last year we set records, which we set the year prior to that. So this year we think it’s going to get close to that record, but fingers crossed…

The marketplace dictates the ticket price,” he added, noting that even lower-priced tickets are often resold at higher rates due to strong demand.

WWE previously set attendance and revenue records at WrestleMania 41, and Khan indicated there is internal confidence that this year’s event in Las Vegas could approach or surpass those numbers. WrestleMania 42 is scheduled to take place at Allegiant Stadium.

During the same discussion, Khan confirmed that WrestleMania 43 is planned to be held in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the event will take place outside the United States or Canada. He pointed to WWE’s ongoing partnership with the country as a key factor behind the decision.

“We’re doing WrestleMania next year in Saudi,” Khan said. “First time ever, WrestleMania will be outside the United States or Canada, and we’ve had a big, fruitful partnership with them…”

Khan also addressed criticism surrounding WWE’s events in Saudi Arabia, minimizing the impact of negative reactions.

“When we go, it doesn’t have to be only here. Our fans will tune in… no matter where we go.”

He further described critics as a “vocal minority,” adding that WWE’s decisions are ultimately guided by performance metrics.

“Ratings, revenue, and relevancy.”

Khan’s comments highlight WWE’s continued focus on maximizing demand for major events while expanding its global footprint, even as debate continues around some of its international locations.

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Darby Allin captured the AEW World Championship by defeating MJF in the main event of AEW Dynamite Spring BreakThru on April 15.

The title change followed a chaotic night that saw MJF repeatedly attempt to avoid defending the championship. Despite those efforts, he was ultimately forced into the match, setting the stage for a decisive main event.

Once the match began, MJF tried to gain control early using underhanded tactics. Allin responded quickly, shifting the momentum and keeping the pressure on the champion. From that point forward, Allin maintained a fast pace and stayed aggressive, not allowing MJF the opportunity to slow things down.

The closing sequence saw Allin take full control, delivering multiple Coffin Drops to secure the pinfall victory. The finish marked the biggest win of his career and ended MJF’s reign as AEW World Champion.

This victory represents a major milestone for Allin, who has been a key figure in AEW since the promotion launched. After several previous attempts at reaching the top, he finally secured the company’s top title in a high-profile main event.

MJF’s title run comes to an end after a stretch that featured several notable defenses. His strategy of trying to avoid the match earlier in the night did not change the outcome, as Allin capitalized when the opportunity came.

With Allin now holding the AEW World Championship, the result immediately shifts the direction of AEW’s main event scene. Attention now turns to potential challengers as a new title reign begins.

Darby Allin wins AEW World Championship

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