For decades, the Royal Rumble has excited fans the world over. Fans anticipate the thrills of its countdowns and the presentation of its competitors. Debuts, returns, and iron-man performances have endeared it, providing a quality that is unique unto itself.
On the surface, it seems like a bloated battle royale, but it’s much deeper than that. It’s why All Elite Wrestling adopted the premise to deliver an alternative to something fresh. If WWE’s Royal Rumble had not walked, then the AEW Casino Gauntlet would’ve never run.
Warts and all, there’s something magical about the concept featuring a gauntlet of wrestlers battling to be the king of the hill. While flaws exist, such as the filler moments and inevitable botches, that’s to be expected. Dozens of competitors are flooding the ring to pace things out. Of course, it’ll be awkward.
But as an overarching story, the Rumble and the Gauntlet both excel in building stars and creating moments. Since AEW naturally operates as an alternative to WWE, they handle the basis of the gimmick differently. I’d like to shine a light on it.
What is the Casino Gauntlet?
First, let’s examine the similarities to the Royal Rumble. Two wrestlers begin the proceedings. A countdown from 10 signals a new wrestler. Then the next one. The conveyor belt of talent continues until the number of entrants runs out.
The match then becomes a free-for-all. Every man for himself, no matter what temporary alliances are forged. To withstand everyone else and stand on top for the glory of the prize means to carve out a legacy. These spots can create character moments, spin more stories, and intersect with various others.
In fiction, the narrative spanning multiple characters can add a lot. George R.R. Martin did so in his Game of Thrones series, as did Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace. From classic storytellers such as William Faulkner to modern epics such as Avengers Doomsday, the breadth of key players can span wide. Much like the Royal Rumble, the Casino Gauntlet does the same. They each advance many interconnected angles.
But what sets them apart from each other?
The Difference Between the Royal Rumble and Casino Gauntlet
I left something out in the last section. It’s a key part of the Casino Gauntlet—the way in which to win it. There’s a purpose to that omission. Whereas the Royal Rumble’s outcome depends on superstars throwing the other over the top rope, the Casino Gauntlet goes a different route. Instead of eliminations done one-by-one, the match can only be finished by pinfall or submission.
Traditionally, the Royal Rumble boasts 30 participants. AEW opts for a limit of a more intimate number: 21. Unlike the Rumble, which requires all wrestlers to have entered the ring, the Gauntlet can end much sooner. Just because a maximum number is set doesn’t mean all of them have a chance to come out.
While unfortunate for them, it’s a distinct advantage for wrestlers starting the match. There’s a risk/reward for one’s placement in this match: the earlier one is, the more they’re likely to tire out. But for those placed later in the bout, there’s a distinct odd that they might not have the opportunity to compete.
Something apparent to many who’ve seen the Rumble is the blatant filler moments. Wrestlers often filibuster the time, meandering in the abuse of other participants. They have to work around each other with supreme ring awareness. It’s not uncommon to see talent give up on eliminating someone, as though to say, “Ah, I’ve got ya! Okay, see you later, bye.” I’ve seen it happen when someone’s teetered over the ropes or in the corner. Moreover, wrestlers will spoil another’s elimination when they could easily assist in disqualifying.
Meanwhile, the Casino Gauntlet is free to spill to the outside, where wrestlers can have more space to partake in spots without clumsily bumping into other wrestlers. The Casino Gauntlet makes more sense in its effort, where inevitably, a pinfall or submission makes all the difference.
Casino Gauntlets Respect the Royal Rumble’s Legacy
In being its own thing, the Casino Gauntlet ensures that the history of the Royal Rumble has only a new wrinkle. Much like the promotion that birthed it, AEW’s Casino Gauntlet is an alternative. Tony Khan evidently learned quite a bit from this experiment, which is why it’s become a staple.
We’ve seen it be used like WWE’s Money in the Bank contract or a new title altogether, as was the case with the AEW National Championship. Furthermore, it allowed for debuts like Ricochet, Megan Bayne, Stardom wrestler Syuri, and the in-ring return of AEW commentator Nigel McGuinness.
Moreover, the Casino Gauntlet isn’t solely relegated to pay-per-views in the same way the Rumble is saved for PLEs. Instead, the Gauntlet serves double duty both on the televised weekly product and on the pay-per-views.
Rather than being an annual obligation, it’s a way to determine the next champion or challenger. Since its 2024 inception, the Gauntlet exists to keep storylines moving, allowing for fresh angles and advancements in storytelling, much like the Continental Classic.
As it stands, the Gauntlet isn’t some “evolution” of the Rumble. Just an inspired idea spinning off of it. It may not be for everyone, but it caters to an itch fans may have been wanting scratched. With fans souring on the WWE’s recent product, a reimagining of the Stamford, Connecticut promotion’s concepts is an enticing experiment. A result of innovation, the Gauntlet can inspire more ideas for AEW, or even beyond.
Much like the matches themselves, these ideas leave us excited for what, or who, is next.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8 pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content is available on their YouTube channel.
