Standard Match
Victory Conditions: Gained by either pin, KO, or submission from the opponent.
Normal rules apply.
Misaki was delighted that she would be pitted against Sakura Hagiwara, whom she considered to be her junior. She had been helping her out back then when she just started out. And now that they were in the same promotion together, Misaki was curious about how strong Sakura had grown. And they would be facing each other in an Apex qualifier match, where they needed to fight in a series of matches to qualify themselves to contend for the Openweight title. Misaki Toyoda
Making her entrance as her music was played, Misaki marched down the ramp, heading over to the ring. The crowd cheered for the Ace of Berserk, and she smiled as she waved her hand. Soon, she arrived at the ring where she would be facing her junior. Climbing up the apron, she slipped through the ropes before she stood in the middle of the ring, raising her arms as streamers and confetti were shot into the ring, adding more pomp into the occasion. Soon enough, the ringside workers went to immediately clean up the ring as Misaki waited for Sakura to show up.
Sakura took a deep breath as she pulled her white and red boots on, sliding them easily up her leg with a resolute expression. Fixing the rest of her classic white and red attire over her body she nodded to herself softly. Today was a big match, probably the biggest of her whole life. A match against Misaki, her mentor in a Apex Qualifier bout. Granted she wasn't competing in the event herself but still... if she managed to beat Misaki it would certainly build a case for her either joining the event or getting a title shot in general. Spoiler
Standing up in all her glory Sakura would smile. Regardless of what could happen if she won, she was going to give it her all cause Misaki deserved nothing less! "Lets do this." Sakura said to herself as she began walking to the gorilla position before nodding to the crew member in charge who nodded back before giving her a countdown, acting as Sakura's last chance to take a breath before her entrance music finally started blaring throughout the arena. Spoiler
Coming out onto the stage Sakura would pose with her arm in the air and a smile on her face as she looked out at the crowd. Starting a jog down the ramp Sakura would smile and high five fans in the front row as she made her way down the ramp. Leaping up onto the ring apron Sakura would then leap up, clear over the top rope and into the ring itself. Spinning as she did so Sakura would pose once more for the fans who cheered in response to her arrival. Turning and facing Misaki the idol would smile brightly at the woman as she bowed to her mentor in respect. "I'm really excited for this match Misaki, and I can't wait to show you everything I've learned!" Sakura said exuberantly, confidence oozing from her form as she stared down the ace of Beserk across from her.
Misaki smiled when Sakura showed up. She could tell that she had vastly improved after all these years, and she was looking forward to see what she had in store for her in this match. She waited for Sakura to enter the ring. Bowing back to Sakura, Misaki gave her junior and protégé a sincere smile.
"I'm glad that we can face each other again..." Misaki said. "Alright, show me what you got, Sakura-chan." With that, the match began as the bell was rang. Misaki would get into a stance, raising both her hands as she got herself ready for a clash with Sakura. Carefully observing her opponent, she would then surge forth and try to lock up with her in a standard collar-and-elbow lock-up!
Looking across into the eyes of Misaki as she stood up from the bow Sakura would nod in eagerness as she nodded in response to what Misaki said, the eagerness for this bout written all over her face. "In front of a crowd no less." Sakura said to add onto what Misaki said about them facing one another again.
Shortly afterward however things would start for real, the bell ringing and the match starting properly between the two. Starting off slowly Sakura began to circle Misaki, watching her mentor's movements carefully as she held her hands up in anticipation until the moment she saw Misaki surge in! Planting her feet into the mat Sakura would grab onto Misaki's hands, pushing against them with a grunt of effort! "Grrr not so fast!" Sakura said as she ducked low, letting Misaki's momentum carry her forward as Sakura tried to spin around behind her in a effort to twist the woman's arm behind her back with a hammer lock!
Locking up with Sakura, Misaki then realized that her junior immediately twisted around and tried to put her in a hammerlock. Grunting, Misaki smiled before she tried to twist out of the hammerlock, following the motion, cancelling the hammerlock altogether. Then, while her hand was still locked with Sakura's, she would try to give it a twist, looking to put her junior into a wrist lock.
"How about this one?"
Misaki planted her feet on the mat as she held onto Sakura's hand with both her hands, giving more twist into the wrist lock. She had no doubt that Sakura would feel it not only on her wrist, but also on her elbow and shoulder. She wanted to see how Sakura would try to get herself out of this, and she had no doubt that Sakura could manage it regardless.
As the match started off Sakura immediately spun around Misaki, attempting to pull her arms behind her back for a hammerlock. Something small but irksome to deal with that would get her off to a good start. But before she could fully get into it Misaki suddenly spun out and reversed her grip into a painful wrist lock!
"Ah!"
Yelping out in pain from this Sakura scrunched her face as she thought about what to do in retaliation to this. 'I got it!' Sakura thought to herself as she took a step towards Misaki and ducked low, spinning as she did so to undo the painful twist onto her joint.
As she did Sakura would reach out, trying to grab onto Misaki's arm with her free hand before dropping down, attempting to pull Misaki over her for a arm drag! If she was successful in this Sakura would attempt to pull Misaki's arm closer while throwing her legs over Misaki's body if successful. "How's this!" Sakura would shout if she was successful before throwing herself back, trying to lock in a arm bar on Misaki!
Holding Sakura in the wrist lock, Misaki would continue wrenching that hand, putting more pressure into the hold. But it seemed that Sakura had figured out a way to get herself out of this predicament as she grabbed onto her arm with her free hand before she dropped down, pulling Misaki over with an arm drag! "Nghh!!" Brought down by the arm drag, Misaki then found herself trapped in an armbar.
"Nnnghh... n-not bad..."
After giving Sakura her compliment, Misaki decided to do a little maneuver under her junior's legs, rolling herself before pulling herself upright. Then, she would try to use her position against her opponent as she would get herself between Sakura's legs, folding her up and getting her shoulders pressed against the mat with a quick pinfall attempt. Escape!
Sakura had a proud smile on her face as she pulled on Misaki's arm, a rare early advantage she had seldom ever gotten against Misaki any of the times they had sparred before. But now here she was wrenching and putting Misaki's arm through the ringer to the point she even earned a compliment from the woman! "Hehe thanks." Sakura said appreciatively to the compliment from Misaki.
But no sooner than it was paid that Misaki began moving to turn things around! "Huh?" Gasping in shock as Misaki began pushing against her Sakura would be rolled backwards, right into a pin by Misaki!
"ONE!"
Hearing the first count Sakura was quick to release the hold on Misaki's arm and roll away, trying to get some distance from Misaki. If she was successful Sakura would slowly start to get to her feet, watching Misaki carefully as she did so. "Clever." She said before grinning slightly. "But I think I won that little exchange don't you?" Sakura asked, quite proud that she was able to out wrestle her mentor, even if briefly.
Going for the quick pinfall attempt, Misaki looked at Sakura, who immediately released her arm and rolled away. Rolling her shoulder a bit, Misaki would pick herself up as she looked at the direction of Sakura. Hearing Sakura's remark, Misaki let out a chuckle before she replied, "Yeah, sure. Good job, Sakura-chan." Now on her feet, Misaki got herself ready for her next clash with her junior.
She would wait for Sakura to regain her footing as she would get into her stance. Then, she would surge forth, seemingly looking to lock up with her again. But instead of locking up, Misaki would slip past Sakura, moving to her back and hooking her arm under her armpit, looking to put her into a half nelson. If she succeeded, she would start wrenching at that arm, putting pressure around Sakura's shoulder.
Sakura had Misaki, even if it was only momentary before the woman had managed to turn things around on her almost immediately after. But it was a big step forward for Sakura, and it really boosted her confidence in this match as a result. "Hehe it won't be just that that I'll win." Sakura said teasingly with a wink before the older woman suddenly surged forward.
Eyes widening as a result Sakura would put her arms up, ready to lock up with Misaki once again! Only Misaki wasn't looking for a lock up. She was looking for a half nelson which effortlessly locked on Sakura! "Agh!" Wailing in pain as her arm was wrenched up Sakura grunted and began swinging her free arm back. Attempting to use a series of elbow shots directed at the woman's side and head to make her let go!
