Tony Khan is kicking off 2025 with his signature flair for the dramatic, announcing the return of the fan-favorite Casino Gauntlet match. Taking to X (the artist formerly known as Twitter), Khan revealed that the high-stakes match will headline the January 8 episode of AEW Dynamite in Clarksville, Tennessee. And here’s the kicker—the winner will earn a shot at the AEW World Championship during the aptly titled Maximum Carnage edition of Dynamite on January 15.
The Casino Gauntlet: A Brief History of Chaos
Debuting in April 2024, the Casino Gauntlet quickly established itself as one of AEW’s most unpredictable and electrifying match concepts. The rules? A mix of royal rumble chaos and gauntlet match intensity, with a dash of Khan’s over-the-top creativity thrown in for good measure.
The inaugural match saw Will Ospreay emerge victorious, earning himself a crack at the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing. Ospreay wasn’t done, though, winning a second Casino Gauntlet to challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door. (Spoiler: Swerve swerved him with the W.)
Fast forward to All In London 2024, and the Casino Gauntlet hit new heights. Fans at Wembley Stadium witnessed shocking debuts (hello, Ricochet!), surprise appearances (Nigel McGuinness and Zack Sabre Jr.), and Christian Cage snatching victory after already wrestling earlier that night—because nothing says “instant heat” like pulling double duty and winning.
The innovation didn’t stop there. In September, AEW introduced a tag-team edition of the Casino Gauntlet, where Ospreay teamed up with Kyle Fletcher to win a shot at The Young Bucks on Dynamite: Grand Slam.
What to Expect on January 8
With its legacy of jaw-dropping moments, the January 8 Casino Gauntlet promises to be must-see TV. Will a fresh face rise to the occasion? Or will a returning favorite roll the dice and hit the jackpot? Whatever happens, one thing is certain: Khan’s beloved gimmick match is the gift that keeps on giving.
Mark your calendars, because AEW is starting 2025 with a full house—and maybe even a royal flush.