AEW President Tony Khan has introduced a significant modification to the rules governing the Casino Gauntlet World Title contract cash-ins following the 2025 Forbidden Door event. Moving forward, winners of the AEW Casino Gauntlet match must provide at least one week’s notice before executing their guaranteed world title opportunity, rather than being able to cash in at any time.
This change directly affects the dynamics of the AEW Casino Gauntlet contract, an element first unveiled at AEW All In London 2024. The match format grants its victor a world title shot they can traditionally use at any moment within a year, frequently compared to <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Background on the AEW Casino Gauntlet and Past Cash-In Practices
The Casino Gauntlet match invites multiple wrestlers to compete for a future shot at the AEW World Title. Historically, winners have been allowed to cash in their contract spontaneously, including during other matches. For example, Christian Cage unsuccessfully attempted to use his contract during AEW Revolution 2025.
However, during the latest Forbidden Door 2025 pay-per-view, Athena provided Toni Storm with prior warning before using her cash-in opportunity, signaling a potential shift in how these contracts are managed.
Khan’s Justification for Revising the Cash-In Protocol
During the AEW Forbidden Door post-show media session, Tony Khan explained why he believes the new one-week notice rule will benefit AEW. His primary goal is to differentiate AEW from other wrestling promotions by maintaining championship prestige and ensuring proper promotion for marquee title bouts.
He emphasized the importance of preserving
“the integrity of a championship match”
and confirmed that this change comes from listening closely to fan feedback and internal considerations about the sport’s presentation. Khan stated that he prefers AEW to stand apart rather than replicate stipulations used elsewhere.
“I think that I want AEW to be different and I’ve been listening to the feedback and the voice of the fans and I think people want the championships in the sport of pro wrestling to have integrity.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“We’re having the best year in the history of AEW and I think a lot of it is that we’re willing to listen to the fans, that we care about the sport and we want the fans to believe in what we’re doing…” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“I also think it’s very, very important to promote championship matches. I don’t want to have a big ticket championship match that we’re unable to advertise, and also I don’t really want to necessarily utilise a stipulation here that is being utilised in other places. I’m not trying to duplicate what other people are doing, I really believe we are our own promotion.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“So that’s why going forward I want to set the tone that from now on I think the right thing to do is all contract executions should be on at least a week’s notice so we can properly promote the matches, so we can properly give the fans notice and have the integrity of a championship match.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“I think it’s for the best for us, I think it’s for the best for our media partners and for the integrity of the championship.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
Impact on Current Contract Holders and Future Title Opportunities
Under this new protocol, MJF, the current holder of a Casino Gauntlet contract earned at All In Texas last month, must provide AEW and the reigning champion with prior notice before cashing in, despite losing his title match to Hangman Adam Page at Forbidden Door 2025. Up until now, he had the freedom to use this contract at any moment, but Tony Khan’s rule revision now formalizes a notification requirement.
MJF has not issued a public response to these changes yet, but updates will be provided should he comment further. This new policy could potentially shift the timing and strategy behind how future Casino Gauntlet contract holders exercise their title opportunities within AEW’s competitive environment.
Broader Implications for AEW’s Championship Landscape
This move underlines AEW’s effort to elevate its championship matches by ensuring they are given proper build-up and recognition through scheduled promotion. With the Casino Gauntlet contract previously allowing unpredictable cash-ins, AEW’s stringent notice period intends to enhance fan anticipation and safeguard championship prestige.
By distancing itself from stipulations commonly seen in rival promotions, AEW positions itself as a unique brand valuing transparency and sport-like integrity in its championship contests. This change is likely to influence the booking and storytelling strategies around AEW’s world title picture going forward.
