April 15, 2026, may have been Tax Day, but for AEW fans, the night held something far more significant. Just as AEW reached a huge milestone in 2025’s Spring BreakThru, 2026 provided another. In the Angel of the Winds Arena in Seattle, Washington, the local crowd cheered for hometown hero Darby Allin as he faced MJF in the main event.
Starting the show with a tear-fueled promo where he teased a side headlock victory, the hype built throughout the show. Even Sting showed up! Closing the show at a slight overrun, MJF took on his challenger in gear the same color as Ric Flair’s at WCW’s Great American Bash in 1990.
The match itself was swift; MJF struck first with a low blow. Darby Allin retaliated, landing Coffin Drops from every corner of the ring. True to his word, Darby Allin landed a decisive victory over MJF with the promised side headlock. During his victory celebration, members of the AEW roster poured out to congratulate him as confetti rained down. Sting would join them as the show went off the air.
MJF had held the AEW World Championship since December 27, 2025, after defeating Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland at AEW Worlds End. He had eight title defenses against the likes of Bandido, Alec Price, Brody King, Zilla Fatu, Kevin Knight, Adam Page, Speedball Mike Bailey, and Kenny Omega. The title reign lasted 109 days.
It’s been a long time coming for one Darby Allin. Grinding on the Indie scene, sacrificing life and limb to achieve the ultimate goal of making it to the big time. What’s even more impressive is that he did it against his arch-nemesis, MJF, making his first run as AEW World Champion all the more sweeter. Through anything and everything, Darby Allin was the man who won’t die, and he proved it on AEW Dynamite: Spring BreakThru.
Congratulations, the #AndNEW AEW World Champion, Darby Allin.
