Several factors delayed Darby Allin and Gabe Kidd from competing in an AEW ring until tonight, including Allin’s recent injury that sidelined him from the Continental Classic. However, the timing of this match felt off—too little, too late. Fans who skipped AEW’s holiday episode last week and avoided social media might have found this showdown confusing, as it seemed hastily arranged.
Allin and Kidd have had a turbulent history, including a lights-out steel cage match at the AEW x New Japan Pro Wrestling Forbidden Door event in late 2025. Their interactions have been sporadic, with notable moments like Allin dragging Kidd out on an episode of AEW Dynamite and Kidd sending Allin out of a Blood & Guts match. Much of Allin’s anger has been aimed more at Jon Moxley than Kidd, so some fans might struggle to keep track of these developments.
If AEW intended to stage this match, it should have happened sooner—probably at World’s End. It also felt odd to see both Allin and Kidd in such a violent match, especially since Allin appears to be done with the Death Riders faction. Although many members of that group had other commitments, it would have made sense for at least one to support Kidd at ringside if he’s still aligned with them.
While the match’s bloodiness will likely ignite plenty of conversation online, the frequent choking moves are confusing—they should arguably have led to a disqualification. This match also highlighted a recurring problem where both major wrestling companies share blame, as too many finishers were swapped. Kidd executed a piledriver late in the match, but Allin secured victory with a rollup and surprisingly avoided a long pin despite his recent injury.
Overall, the show had good pacing, unlike some AEW pay-per-views that felt unnecessarily lengthy. Nevertheless, this match felt unnecessary and left me puzzled about AEW’s current relationship with both wrestlers, especially Allin.
Written by Daisy Ruth
Fan Take: This match matters to AEW fans because it highlights the unpredictable and complex storytelling AEW is known for, even if it risks alienating viewers with confusing timelines. It could signal a shift in character alliances and rivalries that will keep the sport fresh and unpredictable in future events.
