Gauntlet for the Gold Match

The Gauntlet Match as defined by National Wrestling Alliance is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold.

Match Format
Not to be confused with another Gauntlet match in which one competitor faces several others, the Gauntlet for the Gold match is very similar to a Battle Royal match. It consists of two competitors entering the ring and fighting for a set amount of time (usually 3 minutes, but the time varies), following which competitors enter the ring at 90-second intervals.

Elimination is in the standard battle royal format in which a competitor must go over the top rope and hit the floor in order to be eliminated. This can occur both by a competitor being thrown by an opponent out of the ring or by a competitor voluntarily eliminating himself. If a wrestler falls to the floor without going over the top rope or is thrown over the top but does not fall to the floor, the competitor may re-enter the ring and continue the match.

The final portion of the match consists of the last two competitors squaring off in a regular singles match in which victory must be attained by pinfall or submission. No official ruling has been declared on interference or disqualification, but due to the booking of such matches and the brevity of the actual final portion of the match, neither potential outcome has ever been an issue.

Modifications
The Gauntlet for the Gold can be held in many formats and for many purposes. The most basic format involves an undetermined number of competitors (usually between 10 and 25) compete for either a title or title shot. (Note: Not only has each title within NWA been up for grabs during at least one Gauntlet for the Gold, but also a #1 Contendership to each belt has been up for grabs during at least one Gauntlet for the Gold)

A variation of the Gauntlet for the Gold involves tag teams competing for supremacy. In the event of a tag team Gauntlet, the partners of the final two competitors return to the ring and the teams square off in a regular tag team match for the victory.

AWA: Sunday Night Slam (episode number 1)
In this episode, both AWA World Heavyweight Championship and AWA World Tag Team Championship Titles were vacated. AWA officials agreed to have a Gauntlet for the Gold Match to determaine the Champion(s).