The spotlight shifts to a decisive PWL Semi-Final as Haryana Thunders face Punjab Royals in a contest that will determine the first team to book a place in the Pro Wrestling League 2026 finals. Haryana arrive as the form side of the tournament, having set the early pace and maintained control at the top of the table, while Punjab's late surge has turned them into dangerous outsiders with momentum firmly on their side. It is a classic league-leaders-versus-underdogs scenario, with contrasting journeys converging at the sharp end of the season.
Haryana sealed top spot in emphatic fashion in their final league outing, defeating the UP Dominators 6-3 to finish with eight points from five matches and a tournament-high 29 bout wins. The result underlined
their consistency and depth across weight categories, making them the benchmark side heading into the knockouts. Punjab, meanwhile, had their resolve tested in a high-intensity final league match against Delhi Dangal Warriors at the Noida Indoor Stadium.
Despite going down 5-4 in a thriller, Punjab had already secured semifinal qualification and remained competitive throughout, driven by a standout display from Ana Godinez in the 62 kg women's bout. The narrow loss saw Punjab finish fourth with six points and 23 bout wins, while Delhi Dangal Warriors climbed to second. For Punjab, the defeat changes little - their campaign now hinges on converting belief into execution against a dominant Haryana side with a direct finals berth on the line.
