The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) returns after six years in 2026. The event will be held from January 15 to February 1. The auction was conducted on Saturday, January 3, where six franchises got over 250 wrestlers to choose from. The total purse of the league is ₹12 crore, of which ₹2 crore each has been distributed to all six franchises. From international to national stars, the comeback of PWL brings a promise to deliver 18 days of high-intense wrestling action.
The six franchises taking part in PWL include Haryana Thunders, Tigers of Mumbai Dangals, Punjab Royals, Maharashtra Kesari, Delhi Dangal Warriors, and UP Dominators.
Japan’s Yui Susaki was the most expensive player bought in the women’s section by Haryana Thunders for ₹60 lakh, while in the men’s section, Poland’s Robert Baran acquired by Maharashtra Kesari for ₹55 lakh. Meanwhile, Antim Panghal was taken by UP Dominators for Rs. 52 lakh, and Aman Sehrawat goes to Tigers of Mumbai Dangals for Rs. 51 lakhs.
Delhi Dangal Warriors added some weight to their team with the addition of Azerbaijan’s Turan Bayramov, while UP Dominators added some consistency by including wrestlers like Vasyl Mikhailov and Arman Andreasyan.
The wrestlers, as part of the auction, were divided into four categories including A+, A, B and C. The base prices of these players are fixed at ₹18 lakh, ₹12 lakh, ₹8 lakh and ₹3 lakh. The A+ Category wrestlers entered the auction for a base price of ₹18 lakh. Each franchise will make a team of twelve wrestlers that includes four overseas players, two men and two women, and one Category C wrestler.
Besides Susaki, World Championship medallist Antim Panghal was the Indian star attraction in the women’s 53 kg category, who was acquired by UP Dominators for ₹52 lakh. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s Ana Godinez was claimed for ₹46 lakh from Punjab Royals in 62 kg, Delhi Dangal Warriors secured Azerbaijan’s Anastasiya Alpayeva for ₹27 lakh in 76 kg.
Meanwhile, Aman’s addition to Mumbai Dangals has made him a Marquee Male in Category A+, which also highlighted him alongside the international stars in other weight categories. Aman’s bid has standalone has created a milestone with overseas players getting acquired at base price and modest increments. Through Aman, the Indian franchises are now aiming to invest heavily in Olympic medalists.
