We are building a league that places athletes at the centre and elevates Indian wrestling on the global stage: Akhil Gupta

Professional Wrestling League Announces Franchise Line-up and Ownership Structure Ahead of Fifth Season Return

Teams from Delhi, Haryana, Mumbai, Punjab, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh set to compete

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: The Pro Wrestling League (PWL), a franchise-based professional wrestling competition sanctioned by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), on Thursday announced the participation of all six franchises and their ownership structures for the upcoming fifth season. The teams include Delhi Dangal Warriors (EaseMyTrip), Haryana Thunders (Vikas Parasrampuria), Tigers of Mumbai Dangals (Aspect Group and APCO Group), Maharashtra Kesari (Sanraj Group), Punjab Royals (CDR Group) and UP Dominators (Rubics Realty). The six franchises represent India’s strongest wrestling regions, combining deep-rooted sporting traditions with professionally managed ownership groups committed to the growth and commercial sustainability of the sport.

As PWL prepares for its fifth season, the league continues to strengthen its franchise ecosystem by onboarding ownership groups with proven capabilities across sport, enterprise, technology and grassroots development. This approach supports PWL’s core objective of creating structured athlete pathways, delivering world-class competition formats and building a sustainable, athlete-first professional wrestling environment.

Welcoming the franchise line-up, Mr. Akhil Gupta, CEO, PWL, said, “The upcoming season represents an important phase in the Pro Wrestling League’s evolution. With strong and diverse ownership across all six franchises, we are reinforcing our commitment to professionalism, structured development and long-term growth. Together, we are building a league that places athletes at the centre and elevates Indian wrestling on the global stage.”

The Tigers of Mumbai Dangals franchise is jointly held by the Aspect Group, through its sports vertical Aspect Sports led by Ms. Aksha Kamboj, and the APCO Group under the leadership of Mr. Anil Singh. The partnership brings together strengths in professional team management, grassroots sports development and large-scale infrastructure execution. Aspect Sports has previously managed teams such as the Tiigers of Kolkata in the Indian Street Premier League and the Amravati Gladiators in the Pro Govinda League, with a strong focus on coaching excellence, training ecosystems and youth development. APCO Group, a leading infrastructure and EPC conglomerate, contributes deep expertise from executing major roads, highways, bridges and urban infrastructure projects across multiple states, adding scale, stability and long-term development capability to the franchise.

Maharashtra Kesari is led by the Sanraj Group, represented by Mr. Rajdip Gupta, Mr. Khistij Thakur and Mr. Dipesh Nirupam. With a presence across multiple business sectors, the group brings entrepreneurial acumen and operational depth to the Pro Wrestling League ecosystem. Its association with PWL reflects a long-term commitment to Indian sport, focused on structured ownership, professional governance and sustainable investment aimed at strengthening wrestling’s competitive and commercial framework.

The Delhi Dangal Warriors franchise is represented by EaseMyTrip, led by its Founder and Chairman Mr. Nishant Pitti. One of India’s leading online travel technology platforms, EaseMyTrip has steadily expanded its footprint in sports marketing across cricket, tennis and kabaddi. Its involvement with PWL aligns with a broader strategy of integrating sport with travel-led fan engagement, event mobility and sports tourism, while supporting one of India’s most culturally significant sporting disciplines.

Representing a traditional powerhouse of Indian wrestling, the Haryana Thunders franchise is spearheaded by industrialist and philanthropist Mr. Vikas Parasrampuria. His diversified business interests span IT & ITeS, employee mobility solutions, mining and infrastructure, ethanol manufacturing, healthcare and regulated distribution. Known for a structured and disciplined approach to enterprise building, Parasrampuria brings strategic clarity, operational rigour and a sustainability-driven perspective to the league’s long-term vision.

The Punjab Royals franchise is acquired by Mr. Dharam Pal Singh Rathi through the CDR Group. With diversified interests across infrastructure, real estate and allied sectors, the group contributes strong execution capability and a long-term investment outlook. Its participation reflects a focus on professional franchise management, regional representation and building a stable growth model for wrestling in one of its traditional strongholds.

The UP Dominators franchise is led by Rubics Realty under the leadership of its Founder and Managing Director, Mr. Suhan Shetty. A design-driven real estate firm with a strong presence in large-scale urban development, Rubics Realty brings a modern, professionally structured approach to the league. With experience spanning premium residential projects, hospitality-led developments and socially impactful housing initiatives, the group’s entry into wrestling underscores a commitment to creating sustainable sporting platforms while supporting the growth of indigenous sports in India.

The Pro Wrestling League is scheduled to return in January 2026, featuring top Indian and international wrestlers. With its renewed identity and reimagined structure, PWL aims to usher in a new era for professional wrestling in India through high-intensity competition and a commercially viable framework designed to support the sport’s long-term growth.

About Pro Wrestling League (PWL)

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is India’s premier franchise-based professional wrestling league, sanctioned by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Established to bridge the gap between traditional grassroots akhadas and elite international competition, PWL provides a structured, world-class platform for Indian and international wrestlers to compete at the highest level.

Ahead of its fifth season, PWL has undergone a comprehensive restructuring under its new ownership and management, with a renewed focus on transparency, professionalism, and long-term sustainability. Operated by ONO Media and led by partners Akhil Gupta and Dayaan Farooqui, the league is committed to building an athlete-first ecosystem that prioritises development pathways, governance alignment, and competitive integrity. With a clear vision to position India as a global hub for wrestling, PWL combines sporting excellence, regional representation, and modern sports management to transform wrestling into a mainstream, future-ready sport in India.