Darby Allin commented in his TNT Championship win and introduced Nick Wayne to the Seattle crowd.
In the main event of the January 4 episode of AEW Dynamite, Darby Allin defeated Samoa Joe to win the TNT Championship in front of his hometown crowd. Nick Wayne, a fellow Seattle native, was in the crowd for the match, and he briefly appeared on-screen before the bout. Allin hugged him, and Joe briefly attacked Wayne before Darby made the save.
After the show, Allin addressed the Seattle crowd. He discussed his connection with the city and encouraged everyone to chase their dreams before he invited Wayne to come into the ring.
"Seattle, does this microphone work? Beautiful. I’m not gonna be out there long, but there are some things I wanna say. I remember coming to this arena back when the Sonics played. I used to catch the 150 Metro from Penn Station down here. Had a lot of fun times on that Metro bus. Almost went to jail a few times, too. But it’s crazy because I never thought I’d be here. When I told people I’d graduate high school at 115 pounds, well, shit, I’m 120 now. It’s crazy because I really never believed in myself. I’m telling everyone here, whether you have kids or yourself, if someone has a fucking dream, you live it. Don’t listen to anybody. Nobody. You listen to yourself. It will get you further than you’ve ever known. But I’d like to introduce some people. Hey, Nick? Jump the guard rail," Allin said.
Allin then discussed his relationship with Wayne and noted that he gave the teenager an AEW contract at a DEFY Wrestling show last year. He went on to note that Nick's father, Buddy Wayne, trained him, and while he passed away, he knows Buddy would be proud of Nick. Darby then teased potentially facing Nick once he graduates high school.
"I don’t know if you guys know Nick Wayne, but he’s 17 years old, and earlier his year, I gave him a contract at DEFY Wrestling. I’ve know this kid since I was nine years old. Joe father trained me, and Buddy Wayne’s not here no more, but Nick, fucking god damn it, I know he’d be proud. So thx I you for everything, and maybe one day, my friend, it’ll be you and me for this [title]. But until then, you gotta graduate high school. Thank you, Seattle," Allin said.
EXCLUSIVE!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 5, 2023
NEW TNT Champion @DarbyAllin, joined by @Sting and @thenickwayne, addresses the crowd in his hometown of Seattle, WA, after #AEWDynamite went off air! pic.twitter.com/sTFDeo5N6o
Allin then hugged Sting and continued to celebrate.
Nick Wayne often competes for GCW and DEFY Wrestling, among other promotions, and he is expected to join AEW once he graduates high school. He previously stated that he wants to do all there is to do in AEW. Check out his comments here.
Tony Khan previously commented on signing Wayne. Click here to see what he had to say.
Catch up on our coverage of AEW Dynamite here. For a full review. check out our post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.
