Darby Allin Explains the Real Reason He Paints Half His Face

Darby Allin isn’t just about wild stunts and throwing himself off ladders. The AEW star has a real story behind the black-and-white face paint that’s become his signature look, and it ties into a traumatic event from his childhood that shaped his mindset for life.

On The Ariel Helwani Show, Allin was asked about the inspiration for his face paint, and whether it was connected to the car accident he survived when he was just five years old. Helwani asked him directly:

“I learned the reason why you paint your face is because of the car accident you were in when you were five years old. Is that accurate?”

Allin didn’t hesitate to confirm it and explained that surviving the crash left him with a perspective most people never get. He also revealed the meaning behind the tattoo across his chest, which reads: “nothing’s over till you’re underground.” That ink isn’t just for show — it represents his refusal to give up on anything he sets his mind to. In Allin’s own words:

“Yeah. That’s why I got a ‘nothing’s over till you’re underground’ tattoo on my chest — because you should never give up. Anything you want to do, keep going until you’re literally dead. I’ve been around so many people who get so complacent so fast, like, ‘Oh, I’m too old, I can’t achieve that.’”

For Darby, it’s about proving people wrong — especially those who put limits on themselves. His appearance is a daily reminder of the moment his life nearly ended and how he refuses to coast or settle. That kind of mindset is rare, and it’s part of why his fan base keeps growing.

Darby Allin isn’t just another daredevil in face paint. He’s someone who survived tragedy and turned it into motivation. His message is simple but powerful — don’t stop until you’re gone.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.