All Elite Wrestling has quickly established itself as a major player in the world of professional wrestling. Ever since its founding back in 2019, the company has gone from strength to strength, culminating this year with the company's second show at Wembley Stadium. In the Big Smoke, the legendary Bryan Danielson claimed his final world championship with an emotional victory against long-time champion Swerve Strickland, but he has since gone on to drop the title to villainous former stablemate Jon Moxley, who looks set to lead AEW into the future.
One of the company's defining features is its innovative integration of casino-themed gimmicks. Both the squared single and the bright lights of the casino - both land-based and online - have plenty of similarities with their unique blend of high-stakes drama. But why does AEW continually use betting-related gimmicks?
Origins
AEW's fascination with casino themes can be traced back to the inaugural All In event in September 2018. Set up by current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes but then a member of the Bullet Club alongside the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, the event was aptly named "All In" as the American Nightmare and Co. were literally going all in. They were betting on themselves that they could put on an independent show that would sell out an entire arena in the United States, something that prominent wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer said that they couldn't do.
Well, the Bullet Club was only too happy to prove the 65-year-old wrong. They managed to sell out the United Center in Chicago in just 30 minutes, before going on to provide an indie wrestling show for the ages. Once the dust had settled on that Windy City showpiece, the stage was set for the birth of AEW, with Jacksonville Jaguars owner Tony Khan seeing potential and using his billions to back Cody and the Bucks to set up a wrestling promotion.
Since then, AEW has gone from strength to strength. The company has added the likes of the aforementioned Danielson and Moxley, as well as the likes of MJF and Adam Copeland to their ranks. Now, the company is worth an estimated $2 billion, and it aims to take the fight to WWE in a battle for professional wrestling supremacy.
Casino Battle Royale
One of AEW’s most innovative concepts is the Casino Battle Royale. Unlike traditional battle royales, which typically involve a large group of wrestlers starting in the ring together, this showdown adds an element of suspense and unpredictability. Wrestlers enter the ring in groups based on suits from a deck of cards—hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades—with the "joker" cardholder entering last as the final surprise participant.
There are rumors that the beloved match will return next year for the Grand Slam pay-per-view in Melbourne, Australia, AEW's first venture into the Land Down Under. Putting the match on in the land of kangaroos would certainly be a popular decision with fans in attendance, as the Aussies are well known for their love of playing online casino games - which they refer to as pokies. That love level is so high that it has prompted esteemed companies to provide whopping offers in a bid to reel in new players, with the casino bonus at Ignition Casino specifically offering new punters a mighty $3000 welcome offer.
Should the Casino Battle Royal return then, one lucky star will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Adam Page. Hangman entered as the joker in the inaugural installment of the match, ultimately going on to win before then going on to feature in a world championship matchup.
Casino Ladder Match
The Casino Ladder Match takes the excitement of a ladder match and combines it with the unpredictability of a casino atmosphere. In this format, wrestlers enter at timed intervals, similar to a Casino Battle Royale, but their objective is to retrieve a poker chip suspended above the ring. This format debuted at the 2020 Double or Nothing event and has been a fan favorite ever since.
The poker chip symbolizes the casino theme and serves as the ticket to a future championship opportunity, much like winning a jackpot in a high-stakes game. The Joker card has also been represented in this matchup as well. Back in September 2022, MJF famously made his long-awaited return from injury in the matchup as the Joker, going on to claim the chip hanging above the ring before teasing a feud with then-champion CM Punk. For one reason or another, however, that world title feud never came to fruition.
Casino Gauntlet
Though less frequently featured, the Casino Gauntlet adds another layer of excitement to AEW's casino-themed repertoire. This match type involves a series of one-on-one matches, with the winner advancing to face the next opponent. The gauntlet continues until only one wrestler remains standing. The casino element is reflected in the luck of the draw, determining who faces whom and when thereby emphasizing the unpredictability akin to gambling outcomes.
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