Japan's Yui Susaki emerged as the most expensive signing at the player auction for the Pro Wrestling League 2026 season, as Haryana Thunders snapped her up for ₹60 lakh in a bidding war held on Saturday (January 3).
In the men's category, Poland's Robert Baran was the top overseas buy, with Maharashtra Kesari securing his services for ₹55 lakh, underlining the aggressive spending by franchises ahead of the league's return.
Wrestlers in the auction pool were divided into four categories - A+, A, B and C - with the A+ category carrying a base price of ₹18 lakh. Susaki, competing in the women's A+ bracket, attracted the highest interest among all female wrestlers, reflecting her stature and pedigree on the international circuit.
Indian star Antim
Panghal also commanded a hefty price, with UP Dominators acquiring her for ₹52 lakh in the women's 53 kg category. Punjab Royals strengthened their women's squad by signing Puerto Rico's Ana Godinez for ₹46 lakh in the 62 kg division, while Delhi Dangal Warriors picked Azerbaijan's Anastasiya Alpayeva for ₹27 lakh in the women's 76 kg category.
In the men's section, domestic talent also attracted strong bids. Sujeet Kalkal, listed in category A, was signed by Delhi Dangal Warriors for ₹52 lakh. Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, who finished on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was bought by Tigers of Mumbai Dangal for ₹51 lakh.
The high-value bids across categories highlighted strong franchise interest as the Pro Wrestling League prepares for its comeback after a six-year break. The fifth season of the league will be held from January 15 to February 1 at the Noida Indoor Stadium, with six teams set to compete for the title.
The return of the Pro Wrestling League is expected to provide a major boost to professional wrestling in India, offering top domestic and international wrestlers a high-profile platform while reigniting fan interest after a prolonged hiatus.
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