u/KneeHighMischief

Yesterday marked the 29th day of Darby Allin's AEW World Title reign & his fifth defense of the belt. I'm sure it isn't surprising to hear he's a fighting champion but so far he's the fightingest in AEW history by more than I had anticipated.

None of the first 5 AEW World Champs: Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega  Hangman Page or CM Punk had a single title defense in their first 29 days.

8 out of the next 10 had a single title defense in their first 29 days: Jon Moxley (2nd reign), Jon Moxley (3rd reign), MJF, Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, Bryan Danielson, Hangman Page (2nd reign) & Samoa Joe (2nd reign).

The other 2 had zero defenses in their first 29 days: CM Punk (2nd reign) & Jon Moxley (4th reign).

The only one to come remotely close was still less than half. Darby's rival MJF had 2 title defenses in the first 29 days of his 2nd title reign. 

Darby has also exceeded 6 AEW World Champs entire reign in total defenses in his first 29 days: Chris Jericho (4), CM Punk 1st reign (1), Jon Moxley 2nd reign (1), CM Punk 2nd reign (0), Samoa Joe 1st reign (4), Bryan Danielson (3) & Samoa Joe 2nd reign (2).

It's interesting to see how Darby stacks up to the first world title reigns for some luminaries & their defenses in those initial 29 days:

Nick Bockwinkel (1975): 3

Hulk Hogan (1984): 4

The Rock (1998): 5

Bret Hart (1992): 6

Randy Savage (1988): 8

Ric Flair (1981): 13

Bruno Sammartino (1963): 16

Harley Race (1973): 17

Bob Backlund (1978): 18

Terry Funk (1975): 19

Obviously YMMV on how fascinating any of this is. I enjoy the story they're telling here with Darby going full tilt. Seeing just how much hes's pushing himself when it comes to AEW history makes it even more compelling for me.