Sanae Saitou vs. Lyra Heartfield - Apex Qualifier Match

[CaptainL]

Match Type: Standard Match
Rules: Victory by pinfall, submission, or knockout. Completion will count to each participant's required Apex Qualifier matches.

----

Ever since she had made the decision to step up to Apex, Sanae had seen her career take flight - and when she had come to LAW hoping to further her chances at an idol contract by getting her name out there, she couldn't be happier. She had gotten a fair few eyes on her already, thanks to her acrobatic skills, her deceptively impressive strength, and her enthusiasm for wowing the crowd every time she got in the ring. But now that she had entered herself into consideration for the Openweight Championship, the promoters were eager to book Sanae in more and more events - and she wasn't going to complain! It was her time to shine, and she was enjoying every moment of it!

"Coming first to the ring, from Itoshima, Japan! At 5'2, weighing 112 pounds, SANAEEEE SAITOU!!"

Spoiler

As soon as Sanae stepped out onto the ramp, she was greeted by a burst of cheers from the fans, which she was happy to greet with a wave and a wink. As she made her way down, she stopped to pose for a few photos and traded high-fives with a few fans, but as she came to the ring, she climbed up onto the apron and up the ropes before doing a backflip into the ring from the top of the turnbuckle, drawing even more cheers - which she was happy to meet with a bow. Then, though, she settled into the corner to roll out her shoulders, hopping back and forth on her feet to loosen up in preparation for her opponent's arrival.

[Pegasus]

“So, any first match jitters here in Japan?”

Jonathan Steele

Lyra Heartfield

Jonathan leaned against the locker room wall as Lyra put on her headband adjusting it slightly in the mirror. Lyra had entered herself in this Apex competition as the universe told her good fortune could possibly come to her and she abided by their wishes. Lyra smiled and turned to her mentor as she put her hands together shaking her head slightly.

“The universe has told me everything will be alright. My opponent is Sanae Saitou and she has had quite a good start, but my victory is ascertained,” Lyra replied.

“I’ll never get you and this universe crap,” Jonathan retorted as he huffed and rolled his eyes.

“I prefer you didn’t mock the driving force that controls your future. Anyway, I believe we are needed at the entrance. Shall we?” Lyra asked as he and her mentor left the locker room walking out to gorilla as a stage worker ushered the theme song manager to play Lyra’s theme quickly.

https://youtu.be/d9hmm6MZ3GY

Lyra came out to similar cheers to Sanae as green pyro went up in the air at her sides as Jonathan clapped his student on and hyped up the crowd. Lyra simply walked down to the slow tune and rhythm of her theme as she waved to fans smiling brightly.

“Her opponent, from Springfield, Illinois, weighing in at 134 lbs., Lyra Heartfield!”

Lyra came down ringside as Jonathan followed her slapping fives with the fans as Lyra headed up the steps and went through the ropes bowing to the crowd and then bowed to her opponent as was the proper sign of respect in this country. Lyra quickly took off her pink dress and handed it off to Jonathan as she quickly closed her eyes and started muttering to herself as she commenced her usual talks with the universe.

[CaptainL]

Now it was time for Sanae's opponent to make her entrance to the ring, and as she appeared on the ramp, the green-haired girl began to hop up and down in place, waving her hand over her head as she aimed to get Lyra's attention enough to welcome her to their match. However, what really caught Sanae's attention was when she saw who was accompanying Lyra to the ring. While Sanae hadn't had much contact with Jonathan Steele, she knew that he was a pretty big deal in United Supreme Pro Wrestling - a promotion she had recently made an appearance on as part of their UK tour. She'd run into him backstage there, and now, she recognized him as soon as she caught sight of his face. This was a pleasant surprise - however, she couldn't forget that Jonathan was in her opponent's corner, and she couldn't let down her guard, even if Lyra was still a new and unproven opponent. Anything could happen, and she had to be ready.

When Lyra bowed her head to Sanae, the aspiring idol followed suit. The referee stepped in between them to explain the rules, but through it all, Lyra didn't seem to be paying attention - she closed her eyes and started some sort of chant under her breath. Sanae didn't know what that was about - she raised an eyebrow curiously, leaning her head toward the girl. "Hey, uh," she muttered softly, "are you okay..?" But this was no time for questioning - the match was soon to begin!

*DING DING DING*

With the sound of the bell, Sanae lowered herself into a stance, getting ready for the match ahead of her. She bent at the knees and raised her hands, stepping closer toward Lyra to extend a lockup to her. There was no telling what Lyra had in store, but she felt this would be her chance to feel her opponent out.

[Pegasus]

Lyra did not acknowledge Sanae when she asked her question and simply continued pondering her conversations with the universe. Lyra heard the bell rang and rolled up her blue sleeves as she cranked her neck stepping back and circled Sanae calmly. Her hands clasped together and she understood what her first move would be already knowing that Sanae would try a counter the moment she struck.

The universe had dictated it and so she shall followed their desires. Lyra came forward and ran with a stern gaze on her face going for a Lariat, but she knew that Sanae would try lifting a knee to stop her in her tracks. Once Sanae lifted the leg to try and kick her in the gut halting her momentum, Lyra executed a quick grab of the knee and rolled through trying to slam Sanae in the mat with a Leg Drag!

[CaptainL]

Sanae was curious as to what was going through Lyra's head, but it looked like she wasn't going to get any answers tonight. She huffed, but took a step back, rolling her shoulders to limber herself up in preparation to kick off the match. Sanae's opponent may have been eccentric, but come the bell, none of that would matter. She knew the only thing that mattered would be how they met head to head.

Soon enough, the bell rang, and Sanae took a step foward to offer her opponent a lockup. She turned her head up to look her in the eye, and when she saw the serious, determined expression on her face, she was sure that Lyra would have the spirit in her to give her a good match, no matter what. To her surprise, however, Lyra instead came charging forward, her arm raised to smack Sanae to the ground! She knew that she would only have a few short seconds to prepare a counter, but she was ready for that, swinging her knee upward. Or at least, she thought she was ready.

The look of defiance on Sanae's face soon turned to a gasp of shock, as she found her leg halted in place as Lyra reached up to grab it! Things had been moving so quickly, she could hardly imagine how Lyra could have thought things through on the fly - it was as though Lyra had been banking on Sanae trying to counter, and had a plan in place accordingly. Either the woman she was dealing with was capable of making split-second decisions in no time flat, or she was the type to think that far ahead...maybe both, for all she knew. Perhaps she really could see the future...

But either way, Lyra would give a twist to Sanae's legs, sweeping the aspiring idol to the mat. She landed flat with a thud, wincing as the canvas shook against her impact. However, she still had one free leg left, and she would kick out with that one, aiming for Lyra's stomach in an attempt to knock her back!

[Pegasus]

Lyra completed her move and backed up to her feet acknowledging the wishes of the universe. Fortunately for Sanae, Lyra was no ninja or immortal being capable of just escaping any move she pleased. Sanae threw a kick with her free leg launching her foot straight for Lyra’s gut connecting. This earned a collective “OOF!” from Lyra as the fortune teller backed up holding her stomach. Lyra had to think for herself and look back on her visions.

“Hmmm….drat, my vision told me that when I go to collect her, she’ll get a forearm across my forehead. From there, she’ll have control until my next counter. Might as well abide by the universe’s wishes,” Lyra muttered to herself as she ran in trying for an elbow drop, but knew Sanae had an elbow to stretch out to catch her on the head.

[CaptainL]

Well, at least there were some moves that were going to work. Sanae looked up with a smile as she watched Lyra back away from her, relieved to know that even if Lyra seemed to anticipate her every move and already had a plan in place for all of them, she wasn't invincible. She had only struck out in desperation, hoping it would be enough to send Lyra back from her before things could get worse, but it had done the job. Now, Sanae was sure she could still stand a chance. It was time to take advantage of it!

In the time she had to collect her thoughts, Sanae began to push herself back up, getting her elbows against the mat beneath her and beginning to lift herself up. But just then, Lyra took off toward her, her own elbow raised in preparation to come down onto her! The green-haired girl let out a gasp, knowing she only had seconds with which to act. But she needed to do something - and she swung a forearm outward, aimed for Lyra's head to try and deflect her charge in order to send her down against the canvas instead! If she could successfully divert her foe off-course, Sanae would roll to her feet, running across the ring to build on her momentum before springing herself off the ropes to run back at Lyra, then jumping off the ground and kicking out her legs to land a leg drop across her midsection.

[Pegasus]

Lyra tried running for the elbow drop, but Sanae, as predicted, shot out her forearm and nailed Lyra straight in the head sending Lyra flying back. Lyra hit straight on her back and rolled until she hit the ropes before going straight on her back. A throbbing headache threatened to settle in as Lyra shook her head while Jonathan slapped the apron in fustration. Sanae didn’t seem to be done running the ropes and connecting a leg drop as Lyra coughed out, but rolled away to prevent more damage.

Lyra looked back into her visions seeing an opening as she used the ropes to get up, but she would need Sanae to Irish whip her in order for her counter to work. What should happen is an irish whip with Sanae going for a spinning back fist, but Lyra had her own plan for when Sanae decided to strike.

[CaptainL]

Now that Lyra was down, Sanae figured she had an opening to capitalize on. And, as usual, she was keen to play to the fans, eager as ever to excite them with her dynamic and fast-paced style. She threw herself from one rope to the next, bouncing between them to build up her momentum; with each pass she made, she held her hand in the air to wave to the crowd, getting a cheer each time. Then, as she came to close back in on her fallen opponent, she hopped off the ground, sticking her leg out to come crashing down onto her! She landed with a thud on top of Lyra, but not a second passed before she jumped back to her feet to continue her stride. She was at it again, running to the ropes to bounce back in the hopes she could land another leg drop!

Or, at least she hoped. By that point, Lyra had already rolled aside, leaving Sanae to slam her leg against the bare canvas instead! She winced, her eyes narrowing from the pain of the impact as she reached forward to rub at her leg. Once again, Lyra seemed to know what she was about to do even before she did it. But at least that one, Sanae thought, could have been her. She had gotten too cocky with running the ropes, but the match was still getting started, and Lyra had plenty left in the tank. She couldn't underestimate her.

Sanae directed her attention back toward the ropes, where Lyra was rising to her feet. That was only going to be a minor setback, if she had anything to say about it! With a grin on her face, she ran toward the blonde to grab her by the arm and whip her across the ring; then, as she watched for the rebound, she balled her fist tighter, drawing it back over her side as she prepared to swing once Lyra came close.

[Pegasus]

Lyra rolled away preventing a repeat of history as Sanae crashed down on the canvas with her bare leg taking most of the damage. Lyra used the ropes to get up as Sanae recovered and she was sure the idol had an Irish whip on the mind due to her visions showing her the future. Sanae whipped Lyra as instructed as Lyra bounced off the ropes coming back just as Sanae wounded up in a spinning motion hoping to connect a backfist to Lyra’s eyes. However, Lyra slid under Sanae’s legs and tripped her up to fall flat on her face!

Lyra then closed her eyes nodding on what she needed to do next as she sent three knees down on Sanae’s back before climbing aboard the idol’s back and pulling both arms over the legs as she brought both hands around the chin of Sanae. Lyra pulled back on Sanae in a devastating Camel Clutch, but Lyra would not end her submission there. Lyra put the head of Sanae under her shoulder transitioning into a combination of a Camel Clutch and a Dragon Sleeper!