The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) has grown into one of India’s premier professional wrestling tournaments, showcasing the country’s top domestic talent alongside international stars.
Season 5 of PWL 2026 has introduced two exciting new franchises: Haryana Thunders and Maharashtra Kesari. This is the first time these two teams are participating in the tournament, bringing fresh energy, new rivalries, and high anticipation among wrestling fans.
Haryana Thunders – Stats & Previous Matches
Making their PWL 2026 debut, Haryana Thunders have played 4 matches, winning 3 and losing 1, securing 23 bouts and earning 6 points.
| Matches Played | 4 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Bouts Won | 23 |
| Points | 6 |
Haryana Thunders have made a strong impact in their debut PWL 2026 season, winning 3 out of 4 league matches and accumulating 23 bouts won and 6 points, placing them at the top of the table.
The team has displayed an aggressive style in early bouts, often gaining momentum through dominant performances in women’s and lightweight categories. Their big wins over Punjab Royals (7–2) and Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals (6–3) highlight their ability to control matches from the start.
Key players have played a pivotal role in these victories. Yui Susaki has consistently won her women’s bouts, giving Haryana an early advantage in each match, while Ravi Kumar has been decisive in heavyweight bouts, often turning close matches in Haryana’s favor.
Midweight wrestlers and other domestic stars have also contributed crucial points, making Haryana Thunders a well-rounded and dangerous team in this debut
Maharashtra Kesari – Stats & Previous Matches
Maharashtra Kesari, another debut team in PWL, has played 5 matches, winning 3 and losing 2, securing 23 bouts and earning 6 points.
| Matches Played | 5 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Bouts Won | 23 |
| Points | 6 |
Making their PWL 2026 debut, Maharashtra Kesari have quickly established themselves as a competitive force, playing 5 matches, winning 3 and losing 2, with 23 bouts won and 6 points, placing them second on the points table.
The team has impressed with their strategic approach, often edging out opponents in close matches. Notable victories include Delhi Dangal Warriors (6–3) and Tigers of Mumbai Dangals (6–3), while their narrow 5–4 triumph over Haryana Thunders demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
Several players have been instrumental in Maharashtra Kesari’s success. Amit has consistently delivered in high-stakes bouts, securing decisive wins for the team. Tevanyan Vazgen has contributed heavily in midweight categories, helping secure vital points in tight contests.
Supported by a well-balanced squad of domestic and international wrestlers, Maharashtra Kesari have proven that their debut season could be a serious contender for the knockout stages.
Head-to-Head – Haryana Thunders vs Maharashtra Kesari
Haryana Thunders and Maharashtra Kesari have faced each other once so far in the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2026, with Maharashtra Kesari emerging as the narrow winner 5–4. That match highlighted how evenly matched the two teams are, as several bouts were decided by small margins, and the final outcome came down to the heavyweight clash.
| Matches Played | 1 |
| Haryana Thunders Won | 0 |
| Maharashtra Kesari Won | 1 |
| No Result | 0 |
Haryana’s aggressive start in early bouts gave them an initial advantage, but Maharashtra Kesari’s composure and tactical execution in the later bouts secured the win.
Both teams bring contrasting strengths to this encounter. Haryana relies on fast-paced, high-intensity performances in women’s and lightweight bouts, while Maharashtra Kesari thrives in tactical, close-fought battles, particularly in midweight and heavyweight categories.
This makes their upcoming rematch highly anticipated, as both sides will look to exploit the other’s weaknesses and turn the margin in their favor.
Chance of Both Teams Meeting in the Knockout Stage
Currently, the PWL 2026 points table shows Haryana Thunders leading with 6 points from 4 matches, while Maharashtra Kesari are second with 6 points from 5 matches. Punjab Royals are closely behind with 6 points, and UP Dominators have 4 points.
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Bouts Won | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haryana Thunders | 4 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 6 |
| 2 | Maharashtra Kesari | 5 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
| 3 | Punjab Royals | 4 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 6 |
| 4 | UP Dominators | 4 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 4 |
| 5 | Delhi Dangal Warriors | 4 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 4 |
| 6 | Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals | 5 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
According to PWL knockout rules, the semi-finals are structured as 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. If Haryana Thunders and Maharashtra Kesari win their respective semi-finals, they would face each other in the final.
Both Haryana and Maharashtra have displayed consistent form, making them strong contenders to reach the knockout stages. Their performances so far suggest that if they maintain momentum, a clash between these two debutant teams in the final is a very real possibility.
While Haryana’s aggressive, high-intensity style gives them an edge over lower-ranked teams, Maharashtra’s tactical, resilient approach makes them formidable in close contests. Any slip-up in the semis could prevent the final from happening, but based on current form, both teams have a strong chance of meeting for the first time in the PWL final.
Key Players to Watch
If Haryana Thunders and Maharashtra Kesari meet in the knockout stages or the final, these players could prove decisive in deciding the winner. Haryana Thunders will look to Yui Susaki to dominate the women’s bouts early and set the tone for the team.
Ravi Kumar, the heavyweight, can be pivotal in close matches, while midweight wrestlers like Raghav Sharma can secure crucial points in tightly contested bouts. Their combined performances will be key to maintaining Haryana’s momentum and challenging Maharashtra’s tactical approach.
On the other side, Maharashtra Kesari relies on Amit, whose ability to clinch decisive bouts makes him a potential game-changer. Tevanyan Vazgen has been instrumental in midweight contests, often tipping the scales in Maharashtra’s favor.
Along with support from other international and domestic wrestlers in lightweight and women’s bouts, Maharashtra Kesari has the depth and composure to counter Haryana’s aggression and perform under pressure.
| Player | Team | Category | Role / Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yui Susaki | Haryana Thunders | Women’s 50kg | Dominant in women’s bouts; sets early momentum |
| Ravi Kumar | Haryana Thunders | Heavyweight 125kg | Decisive in tight matches; can swing results |
| Raghav Sharma | Haryana Thunders | Midweight 74kg | Consistent point contributor in crucial bouts |
| Amit | Maharashtra Kesari | Heavyweight 125kg | Clutch performer; decisive in final or tight bouts |
| Tevanyan Vazgen | Maharashtra Kesari | Midweight 74kg | Tactical advantage: key in midweight bouts |
| Other squad members | Maharashtra Kesari | Lightweight 57kg / Women’s 50kg | Support in early bouts; adds team balance |
Conclusion: Maharashtra Kesari has a High Chance of Winning against Haryana Thunders
If Haryana Thunders and Maharashtra Kesari face each other, Maharashtra Kesari are slight favorites. Having narrowly defeated Haryana 5–4 in their previous encounter, Maharashtra Kesari will enter the match mentally confident and well-prepared, knowing they have already edged out their opponents in a tight contest.
Strong performances in midweight and decisive bouts, led by Amit and Tevanyan Vazgen, further boost their confidence going into this high-pressure match.
Haryana Thunders, on the other hand, will be mentally motivated to avenge their previous loss. Led by Yui Susaki and Ravi Kumar, they are expected to approach the match with determination and focus, aiming to capitalize on early bouts and their strength in women’s and heavyweight categories.
Despite Haryana’s intensity and resolve, the prediction leans toward Maharashtra Kesari as the team more likely to win this closely contested encounter.
