Darby Allin


Samuel Ratsch is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the name Darby Allin. He is also known for his appearances in World Wrestling Network promotions, wrestling in a high-profile position in Evolve.

Early life

Growing up, Ratsch took part in track and field and played football as one of his grandfathers played in the NFL. He also took part in collegiate wrestling, but only because he assumed it was professional wrestling. He later attended a film school in Arizona, dropping out to pursue a career in skateboarding. Through his connections with Matt Schlager, Ratsch regularly appeared in videos with his friends on Ridiculousness, until one video was too extreme for the program to air. He also appeared on an episode of Sex Sent Me to the ER, later admitting in an interview with Chris Van Vliet, that the story was fabricated as he needed the money. For about three years, Ratsch was intentionally homeless.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2015–present)

Ratsch made his professional wrestling debut in 2015, under the ring name Darby Graves before changing it to Darby Allin. In late 2017, he wrestled for the Game Changer Wrestling promotion.

World Wrestling Network (2016–2019)

Allin debuted for World Wrestling Network at Evolve 59 in April 2016, losing to Ethan Page. At Evolve 74, Allin was defeated via countout by Brian Cage after Cage had powerslammed Allin over a barricade. Allin made his Style Battle debut in January 2017, losing to Dave Crist. Allin made his Full Impact Pro in early 2017 at FIP Everything Burns, losing a Fight For All match. On the same show, Allin, along with AR Fox, Dave Crist and Sami Callihan defeated Sammy Guevara, Dezmond Xavier, Jason Kincaid and Jason Cade. At Evolve 93, he was defeated by DJZ. in January 2018, Allin faced Zack Sabre Jr. for the Evolve Championship at EVOLVE 98, in a losing effort.
On August 30, 2018, it was announced that at Evolve 113, Allin would be facing NXT wrestler, the Velveteen Dream. At Evolve 113, Allin was defeated by Dream. At Evolve 116, Allin was defeated by Mustafa Ali. At Evolve 117, Allin was defeated by Kassius Ohno. The next night at Evolve 118, Allin was defeated by Roderick Strong.
During WrestleMania weekend, he wrestled his last match for Evolve at Evolve 125, in a defeat to Anthony Henry. He also wrestled at Amerika Ist Wunderbar, promoted by Westside Xtreme Wrestling, and in conjunction with WWN, where he was defeated by Avalanche. The following day at WWN Supershow Mercury Rising, he teamed with his wife Priscilla Kelly, where they were defeated by Austin Theory and Brandi Lauren. That same weekend, it was revealed he was going to be ending his three-year relationship with Evolve and WWN.

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (2018)

On June 3, 2018, Allin made his Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide debut at Verano de Escándalo in a six-way match which was won by Aero Star. Other competitors in the match included Drago, Sammy Guevara, Australian Suicide and Golden Magic.

Progress Wrestling (2018–2019)

In 2018, Allin wrestled for Progress Wrestling during their American tours. He made his debut for the promotion at Chapter 66: Mardi Graps, held in Louisiana, in a Thuderbastard match which was won by Jeff Cobb. He later appeared on day five of the Coast to Coast Tour, teaming with Jack Sexsmith and Toni Storm in a six-person tag team match.
On March 14, 2019, Allin was announced as a participant in the Super Strong Style 16. At the event, he was defeated by Paul Robinson. On day two, he teamed with Chris Ridgeway and Lucky Kid in a six-man lucha rules tag team match, defeating Artemis Spencer, Chris Brookes and DJZ. On day three, Allin took part in a scramble match, which was won by Brookes.

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)

Less than a week after leaving WWN, on April 12, 2019, it was revealed that Allin would be a roster member of the newly launched All Elite Wrestling. He wrestled Cody Rhodes at Fyter Fest in June to a time-limit draw.
In August, it was revealed Darby would face Joey Janela and Jimmy Havoc in a three way “Cracker Barrel clash” match at All Out. Darby would come up short after missing a Coffin Drop through a Cracker Barrel afterward Havoc pinned Janela.
In October, Allin began feuding with the villainous faction called The Inner Circle, establishing himself as a fan favorite. He would lose an AEW World Championship match against Chris Jericho on an episode of AEW Dynamite while beating Sammy Guevara at the 2020 AEW Revolution.
On April 22, Allin took part in a tournament to crown the inaugural AEW TNT Championship beating Sammy Guevara in the first round, and eventually losing in the second round to Cody on the April 29th edition of AEW Dynamite.
On May 23, Allin was a part of the Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing in a losing effort as the match was won by the debuting Brian Cage. During the match he would be injured which would sideline him indefinitely. He made his return at Fight for the Fallen attacking Brian Cage with a skateboard after his title match against the AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. Allin wrestled his first match back on the 21 July episode of Dark, defeating Robert Anthony. After the match, both men were attacked by Brian Cage and Ricky Starks.

Personal life

On November 21, 2018, Ratsch married fellow wrestler Priscilla Kelly. He lives a straight edge lifestyle. Ratsch is a longtime fan of punk rock, and his current ring name Darby Allin is derived from the frontman of the Germs, Darby Crash, and the transgressive musician GG Allin.

Championships and accomplishments