The Pro Wrestling League 2026 auction unfolded as a marathon spectacle on January 3, delivering everything fans and franchises expect from Indian wrestling’s premier franchise league record-breaking bids, intense last-minute bidding wars, tactical errors, surprise bargains and a clear statement of intent from teams looking to dominate the upcoming season.
By the time Akash was sold as the final player of the night to Punjab Royals for ₹3 lakh at 11:35 PM, the contours of PWL 2026 had firmly taken shape.
Marquee madness: A+ category sets the tone
The auction began with Category A+ marquee wrestlers, carrying a base price of ₹18 lakh, and it did not take long for the paddles to fly. India’s Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat (57 kg) ignited the room early, triggering a fierce bidding war before Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals secured him for ₹51 lakh a clear signal of their ambition to build a title-contending squad around proven Indian stars.
That record, however, would soon be eclipsed. Haryana Thunders and Punjab Royals went head-to-head for Japanese superstar Yui Susaki, a two-time Olympic medallist and arguably the biggest global name in women’s wrestling today. The bidding raced past ₹50 lakh, crossed ₹55 lakh, and finally settled at an unprecedented ₹60 lakh, making Susaki the highest-paid wrestler in PWL history. Haryana, who had earlier missed out on Antim Panghal, ensured they would not lose another marquee name.
Speaking of Antim Panghal, the young Indian Olympian was at the center of another blockbuster duel. UP Dominators and Haryana Thunders pushed each other relentlessly, with the price soaring past ₹50 lakh before UP Dominators landed Antim for ₹52 lakh a massive investment in India’s future.
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Among overseas stars, Poland’s heavyweight Robert Baran (125 kg) commanded ₹55 lakh from Maharashtra Kesari, underlining the premium placed on dominant super-heavyweights. Armenia’s Arman Andreasyan (74 kg) went to UP Dominators for ₹30 lakh, while Turan Bayramov (74kg) fetched ₹34 lakh from Delhi Dangal Warriors. There were also surprises, with some big international names like Zelimkhan Abakarov and Murazi Mchedlidze going unsold, reflecting franchises’ selective spending.
Category A and B: Smart buys and selective aggression
As the auction moved into Category A (base price ₹12 lakh), teams became more tactical. Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals added Bulgarian wrestler Kaloyan Ivanov for ₹12 lakh, while Maharashtra Kesari snapped up Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez a Category A+ talent for ₹18 lakh in the accelerated round, a shrewd piece of business.
Category B (base price ₹8 lakh) saw a mix of restraint and sudden aggression. The most notable bidding war was for Jyoti Berwal (76 kg), where Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals outlasted Maharashtra Kesari to secure her for ₹15 lakh, the highest bid in that category. Ukrainian wrestler Alina Filipovic also attracted significant interest, eventually joining Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals for ₹20 lakh, highlighting Mumbai’s aggressive recruitment strategy, especially in women’s divisions.
Elsewhere, Haryana Thunders quietly strengthened their squad by picking up Neha Sharma (57 kg) for ₹8 lakh, while Punjab Royals secured Chandermohan at base price, reflecting their preference for squad balance over headline-grabbing bids.
Sujeet Kalkal steals the show
If there was one moment that defined the auction’s emotional peak, it was the bidding for Sujeet Kalkal, the U23 World Champion in men’s 65kg. Initially close to being passed over, Kalkal suddenly triggered a three-way war involving UP Dominators, Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals and Delhi Dangal Warriors.
Sujeet Kalkal Steals the Spotlight as Delhi Dangal Win Auction Battle of the Night
The bidding escalated at breathtaking speed to ₹28 lakh, ₹40 lakh, and ₹50 lakh before Delhi and Mumbai remained locked in a duel. Just as the hammer seemed ready to fall at ₹50 lakh, Mumbai raised their paddle, forcing Delhi to go to ₹52 lakh. Mumbai finally blinked, and Kalkal joined Delhi Dangal Warriors for ₹52 lakh, one of the biggest Indian buys of the night and a defining addition for Delhi’s campaign.
Accelerated auction and Category C: Depth over drama
With marquee business done, the auction entered its accelerated phase, allowing teams to revisit unsold Category A+, A, and B players. Nigeria’s Ojo Damola Hannah was picked up by UP Dominators at base price, while Yash (74 kg) sparked a late bidding war before Maharashtra Kesari landed him for ₹14 lakh.
Category C, the lowest base price bracket at ₹3 lakh, was all about squad completion and depth. While the sums were modest, the importance was strategic: each team was required to include at least one Category C wrestler. Maharashtra Kesari were quick to act, signing Atish Todkar for ₹3 lakh, while Haryana Thunders added Parvinder Singh and Sachin at base price.
Aman Sehrawat Sets the Benchmark at PWL Auction, Emerges as the Centrepiece of Season Five
There were moments of chaos too. UP Dominators committed a costly rookie error by nominating Rajat Ruhal (125kg) without having sufficient budget left, forcing them to withdraw. Punjab Royals also briefly nominated the wrong player number before correcting themselves and securing Rajnita for ₹3 lakh a reminder of how unforgiving auction dynamics can be late into the night.
Final squads take shape
As the clock ticked past 11 PM, teams focused on meeting the minimum squad requirement of nine wrestlers, with a maximum cap of 12. Every franchise had to ensure at least five men, four women, four overseas wrestlers (two men and two women), and at least one Category C athlete, a structure that shaped many late picks.
Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals emerged as one of the boldest spenders, headlined by Aman Sehrawat, Sujeet Kalkal (nearly), Jyoti Berwal, Alina Filipovic and multiple overseas stars. Haryana Thunders is built around Yui Susaki and Ankush Chandram, while UP Dominators invested heavily in Antim Panghal and Vishal Kaliramana.
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Punjab Royals balanced star power with depth, landing Priya Malik for ₹29 lakh and Dinesh for ₹36 lakh, while Delhi Dangal Warriors combined marquee aggression with Sujeet Kalkal, Hadi Vafaeipour, and Turan Bayramov with smart mid-range picks.
Maharashtra Kesari, meanwhile, quietly assembled one of the most balanced squads, featuring Manisha Banwala, Robert Baran, Bilyana Dudova and Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, blending Indian reliability with proven international pedigree.
By the time Akash’s name closed the auction, PWL 2026 had already promised a season rich in storylines. Record-breaking bids reflected wrestling’s growing commercial pull in India, while the depth of Indian talent, from Olympic medalists to U23 world champions, underscored the league’s role in bridging domestic wrestling with the global stage.
If the auction was any indication, PWL 2026 is set to be faster, fiercer, and more competitive than ever. The wrestlers are locked in, the teams are stacked, and the mat is ready. The real battles, however, are only just beginning.
