Published: 1 hour ago by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by Jamie Toolan
Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.
WWE/AEW
One of the most anticipated matches of AEW’s All In pay-per-view is the Casino Gauntlet Match, where the winner earns a future world title shot to be cashed in whenever they want (with one week’s notice).
As seen with Ricochet and Nigel McGuinness in 2024, the match is a perfect place to introduce some surprises as wrestlers enter one by one in a similar manner to a Royal Rumble match.
With several interesting names on the free agent market, here are five former WWE stars who could potentially enter the AEW All In London 2026 Casino Gauntlet Match.
Ilja Dragunov
Ilja Dragunov exited WWE at the end of his contract in August 2026.
On August 20 it was confirmed that former WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov had departed the company, following the expiration of his contract.
Immediately upon hearing the news, most fans will have thought about the possibility of ‘The Mad Dragon’ moving to All Elite Wrestling.
The Russian star is among the best wrestlers in the world and would be about as a ‘no brainer’ signing as it gets for Tony Khan. The timing of Dragunov’s exit would make his arrival in AEW all the more buzz worthy, even if he doesn’t win the Gauntlet Match.
Dragunov has a host of dream matches ahead of him in AEW, as well as the company’s partners in NJPW and CMLL, so many will be hoping we see this new chapter in his career begin inside Wembley Stadium on August 30.
Davey Boy Smith Jr
Davey Boy Smith Jr made a brief return to WWE in 2021, but he never appeared on TV before being released that same year.
While there is no shortage of names recently let go by WWE who AEW could look towards for a Casino Gauntlet debut, the company could also look a bit more outside the box in order to deliver a surprise moment.
Davey Boy Smith Jr – the son of WWE Hall of Famer British Bulldog – is someone who was previously rumored to be a potential surprise appearance at the original All In London back in 2023, however, this never came to pass.
While he himself is Canadian, Davey Boy Smith Jr obviously has ties to England through his legendary father, as well as Wembley Stadium specifically, as that is where British Bulldog famously defeated Bret Hart in the main event of SummerSlam 1992 for the Intercontinental Championship.
Even if it’s just a one-off cameo, Davey Boy Smith Jr appearing at All In London would make for a full-circle moment for he and his family.
Sheamus
Sheamus hasn’t wrestled since the November 17, 2025 episode of WWE Raw
As well as Ilja Dragunov, Sheamus was another notable WWE star who exited the company following the expiration of his contract this Summer.
The near 20-year WWE veteran had achieved almost everything there is to achieve during his spell in the company, and at the age of 48, it’s hard to say for sure whether AEW will be interested in bringing him into the company.
‘The Celtic Warrior’ certainly can still go, and AEW has not been shy in picking up veteran former WWE stars in recent years (Adam Copeland and The Hurt Syndicate come to mind), however, Sheamus may potentially be one WWE old-timer too many for some AEW fans to stomach given the breadth of talent on the roster currently.
Regardless of the arguments it may cause, Sheamus in AEW would be refreshing after seeing him in WWE for so long, and the Casino Gauntlet Match may be the perfect way to bring him into the fold.
Joseph Sawyer (Joe Gacy)
Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis held the WWE Tag Team Championships for 196 days
While we’re yet to find out what the future holds in wrestling for his Wyatt Sicks stablemates Bo Dallas and Erick Rowan, Joseph Swayer (fka Joe Gacy) has wasted absolutely zero time getting right back to work on the independent scene following his WWE release in April.
In what was his first match in the promotion in six years, Sawyer won the GCW World Championship at GCW Homecoming on August 15, defeating Atticus Cogar.
Continuing his run of momentum, AEW could look to bring Sawyer in for a special appearance at All In London.
Adding something different to the AEW roster from a character standpoint, while also bringing two decades of in-ring experience, Sawyer would be a worthwhile addition.
Malakai Black
Aleister Black’s second WWE run lasted only one year before he was released from his contract.
One of the biggest talking points after WWE’s April wave of talent cuts was the future of Malakai Black (fka Alesiter Black).
The Dutch star had, only a year prior, departed AEW in favor of a return to WWE, And during his time in AEW he seemingly burnt some bridges, calling into question whether AEW would take him back.
As seen with Andrade El Idolo – who also departed AEW for WWE only for the grass not to be greener on the other side – there is a way back for talent if Tony Khan is on board with the idea.
Andrade’s latest run in AEW has already arguably surpassed his first, and perhaps the same could be true for Black if he shows up as a surprise entrant in this year’s Casino Gauntlet Match.
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