Darby Allin, a standout wrestler within AEW, has gone on record saying he has no desire to be linked to WWE’s ‘Superstar’ nickname convention. A former TNT Champion, Allin has staked his claim as one of the main forces in AEW.
WWE has a history of utilizing the ‘Superstar’ term as a means to set apart its pool of skilled professionals from other wrestling promotions. They also coined the term ‘Diva’ to describe their female wrestlers until the year 2016.
In a recent episode of AEW’s “Meal And A Match” podcast, Allin opened up about his grievance with the ‘Superstar’ designation, saying,
“I reckon being a role model for younger folks, showing them that they can connect and resonate with me is crucial. I’m not exhibiting an image that everything’s perfect and I’m a Superstar. Honestly, Superstar is a nonsensical label. It almost indicates a superiority, as if we’re high up here, and you’re less than us, we’re Superstars. No, I’m just like you who made my way successfully. You can do it too.”
Eddie Kingston, another wrestling figure, voiced his opinion on the matter as well. This past April, Kingston mentioned that iconic figures like Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair were never labeled as Superstars in their prime.
WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam also partook in the ongoing debate about applying the term ‘Superstar’ to wrestlers. His thoughts on the matter are available here.