Two very different wrestlers met on the independent scene in 2018 and produced a wild, memorable match. Their paths crossed again only once in the ring — and both went on to become top stars in rival companies.
Near-tragedy before the first meeting
Before they ever wrestled each other, Darby Allin was scheduled to face Gunther (then known as Walter) on the same day he worked two shows in 2018. In the morning show, Allin hit his head hard on concrete. He later went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a brain bleed. The planned match with Gunther that night was canceled.
Allin has said he likely would have been in real danger if he had wrestled that night. The injury kept the two from meeting when first planned, but both men kept working on the independent scene and would meet soon after.
The EVOLVE 106 showdown
The two finally met at EVOLVE 106 in Queens, New York. The show had other notable matches, including Joey Janela vs. Austin Theory and a main event of Matt Riddle vs. Shane “Swerve” Strickland for the EVOLVE Championship.
Their match ran nearly 15 minutes. Gunther showed his technical skill and power. Darby sold the hits and moves in a way that made the action feel dangerous and real. Gunther applied his signature Gojira Clutch during the bout and controlled large parts of the match.
In a surprising finish, Allin fought out of the Gojira Clutch and pinned Gunther for the three-count. After the loss, Gunther kicked Allin in the face. Allin simply smiled and celebrated with the crowd. Years later, Allin called that match one of his favorites from the independent circuit.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Darby Allin | Win by pinfall at EVOLVE 106 (escaped Gojira Clutch) |
| Gunther (Walter) | Loss by pinfall at EVOLVE 106 |
After the match: rising stars in rival companies
Both men signed with major promotions soon after. Darby Allin joined AEW in 2019 and became a key figure there. He later won a tag team title with Sting and, in April 2026, won the AEW World Championship.
Gunther signed with WWE and built a strong resume. He won the NXT United Kingdom Championship, became the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, and had runs as World Heavyweight Champion. In the last year he has been part of high-profile feuds and big wins in WWE.
Today the two are stars in rival companies. That makes a second chapter between them unlikely. Still, the 2018 meeting at EVOLVE 106 stands as a rare and exciting moment when two future legends met on the indies. UFCcoverage keeps that match in its archives as a reminder of how different paths can produce a great fight.
