Sanae Saitou vs. Toshimi Minami - Submisson Match

[CaptainL]

Match Type: Submission Match
Rules: Victory by submission only. The winner of the match will be entered into consideration for the LAW World Openweight Championship.

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This was it.

So much had happened since Sanae had been challenged by Toshimi Minami to Apex that she could hardly believe it had only been a few months ago. Ever since then, her life had been devoted to training, to making sure that when the time came for her to face the ultimate challenge, she would be ready for it. No one could say that Sanae Saitou didn't have the makings of a great wrestler in her. Ever since her very first match, the agility, skill, and determination she displayed had left many journalists naming her as one of the up-and-coming talent in the wrestling world to keep an eye on. But this was a challenge that rose high above everything else she'd faced to date. In just a few moments, she would arrive on the entrance ramp to take on Toshimi Minami, the Venus of Submissions, and a well-respected and well-feared veteran of the squared circle.

The odds were stacked against Sanae. Not only did Minami easily eclipse her in experience, she would be competing in a submission match - something that was never the green-haired girl's strong suit, and that Minami was a world-class expert in. As she sat backstage, her hands gripping her knees tightly, Sanae took in deep breaths in a desperate attempt to calm herself when her heart was pounding like a jackhammer in her chest. But even if the task ahead of her was daunting, the reward would be just as sweet. If she won this match, Sanae would mark herself as eligible for the World Openweight Championship. It was a bigger honor than she'd ever been granted in her life, and just thinking about it gave her butterflies in her stomach.

But there was something even more important to Sanae than that. The reason Minami had challenged her to this match was because she wanted to make a point to Sanae - to prove that she was nothing more than a wannabe idol who couldn't hope to live up to the competition. And Sanae, more than anything else, needed to win this to prove her wrong. She might have come to LAW in the hopes of sparking interest in a future singing career, but it had grown so much greater than that. She'd made friends. She'd seen how strong she was becoming. She'd realized what her strengths were, and what she could excel at when given the chance. One by one, she had taken on a number of opponents, including several Minami had hand-picked to test her - among them her good friend Alizeh Midori. And she'd risen to each challenge, taking it on and wowing the crowd with her willpower all the way. With each victory, Sanae grew more and more assured that she just might stand a chance against Minami. But it was all down to this to decide things once and for all. If there were any more questions...tonight, they would be answered.

"The following contest will be a submission match, and is scheduled for one fall! Coming first to the ring, from Itoshima, Japan! Standing at 5'2, weighing 115 pounds...SANAAAAAAEEEEEE SAAAAITOU!!!"

Spoiler

The lights shone down on the ring, and music blared from the speakers. From the moment Sanae's entrance began, the fans had erupted into cheers. And those cheers only grew louder when the aspiring idol took her place on the entrance ramp. Back at the Gorilla position, Sanae still worried if she'd be enough - if she could live up to the demands of taking on Toshimi Minami herself. But when she heard everyone cheer for her, to wish her success, it reminded her of who she was fighting for - that everyone here believed in her, and everyone here wanted to succeed, in the biggest night of her life. Just thinking about it made Sanae feel just a little more assured - enough to bring a tear to her eye. They wanted her to win, and she wanted more than ever to make them proud.

But a moment later, she sank down into a stance, lowering herself at the knees and pumping her fists in the air to rally behind the cheers of the crowd. Sanae was going into this match on a high note, and she wanted everyone to know she believed in herself! She slapped a few hands and waved to flashing cameras as she strode down the aisle, but when she got to the ring, she took a running leap onto the apron, grabbing the top rope and vaulting over it with a dramatic leap that drew a few gasps from the fans! There, she settled into her corner, catching her breath and dusting off her hands. Her eyes narrowed as she looked toward the curtains. Sanae's dramatic entrance wasn't about showing off. She wanted Minami to know what she was capable of - and that she was ready!

[Bare]

Minami cracked her neck in preparation for tonight. It had been a long time coming, but the Venus of Submissions match against Sanae Saitou at Apex was finally here. Quite frankly Minami was surprised that the little brat had actually been able to make it this far, up to the point of being able to make it here, and she was a little disappointed at that fact. But at the same time, it just meant that Minami would have the chance to properly punish Sanae herself, and that fact alone didn't seem too bad to her, especially since this match was a battle of submissions, the area in which Minami was greatest in. Looking up and seeing Sanae had finished her entrance Minami would smirk softly before standing up and strutting towards the guerilla position just in time for her own entrance music to start.

Spoiler

Coming out to the entrance ramp to stand confidently at the top, looking out stoically across the arena much to the displeasure of the fans around her which was just fine by Toshimi. No one ever got ahead in this game by being the most popular. Strutting down the ramp with confidence and a sway to her hips Minami would approach the ring with an air of regal authority about her before entering the ring in a smooth, elegant fashion, and finally locking eyes with Sanae. It was almost mundane in a way, now that Minami was face to face with the girl, all the build up, all the bad blood between them that had built up, it almost felt non existent to Minami as she condescendingly looked down on Sanae. "Well now, here I was thinking this day would never come. I hope you enjoyed the view while you can before I knock you off the pedestal you built yourself." Minami said confidently with a smug look as she leaned back, preparing herself for the brawl that would soon be starting.

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

The moment Minami appeared on top of the entrance ramp, Sanae's whole demeanor changed. She held herself a little taller, and her eyes narrowed in a glare. Her fists clenched at her sides. She might have put on her usual cheerful, smiling face when she was making her way to the ring, waving and cheering along with all the fans who had come here to support her as she reached for the stars - but now, that was gone. Looking at Minami, all she could think of was one thing. This was what she was fighting for.

Whether she won or lost this match wouldn't just determine if she was in contention for the Openweight Championship - it would determine if Sanae could look at herself in the mirror and tell herself that she had succeeded at her goals, to prove that she could stake out a place for herself in the upper echelons of LAW. She had approached every one of her matches with dedication, determination, and tenacity, all in the name of proving herself worthy. She had committed to doing her very best at everything she did, and never being content with where she was. That spirit had propelled her through a period of rapid and exponential growth in her wrestling skills, far surpassing anything anyone could have expected. But tonight, it would all be put to the greatest test she'd faced yet - and Sanae was not about to fail it.

She held herself up straight, puffing out her chest as she locked an unwavering glare straight into Minami's eye. This was it. If she won this match, it was proof she could be the person she wanted to be - that she could be the person who could reach out and grab hold of success no matter what lay in her path. If there was ever a time for Sanae to be so deathly serious, it was now. Many observers would note it wasn't like Sanae to be this grave prior to a match - but this wasn't just any match. If she failed here...then everything was for naught.

Sucking in a breath and blowing it out slowly through her nose, Sanae nodded her head to Minami's challenge. "I wouldn't have ever thought I had made it this far, either. But I had to show the world I could - and I had to show you I could. I owe this all to you. And if I beat you tonight...it'll be because you forced me to go for the top." She held her hands out, cracking her knuckles. "So...do your worst! I'll prove I can take it!"

*DING DING DING*

The moment the bell rang, Sanae was ready to strike. Lunging forward in a burst of speed, she reached out to grab at Minami, attempting to muscle her into a collar-and-elbow lockup! Already such a tactic caused a few fans to gasp - when Sanae was still so young and new to the wrestling world, going up against a veteran whose accomplishments were the stuff of legends, to do such a thing would be to put herself in danger some would call suicidal. But that was exactly why Sanae was doing it. She needed courage in order to succeed. And she wanted her actions to prove she had that courage in her!

[Bare]

Watching Sanae's entire demeanor change the moment Minami came down the ramp was more satisfying than Minami had expected. It meant that she was totally inside this girl's head. That she had her figured out, that Sanae was finally taking things as serious as Minami had expected any wrestler too. Even if it was too late for Sanae to earn respect from Minami. No while Sanae had great aspirations and beliefs about this match, Minami did not, quite the contrary, she was viewing this match as all but a formality and an example. An example to demonstrate what happened when Toshimi Minami set her sights on you, as well as one that would prove why she would be the apex winner. Because as Openweight Champion, she would stomp out pretenders like Sanae Saitou.

As she entered the ring Minami would stand proud before Sanae, not even a hint of respect or worry on her face as she stared down the younger girl. In quite the contrary way Sanae had the total opposite in terms of expressions, one of total seriousness and desire to win. It was honestly kind of cute in all honesty. But what really sold it as topical to Minami was the little speech Sanae was making now that she was in front of Minami, and it was taking all that the Venus of Submissions had to not break out in laughter towards the girl.

Instead Minami would just place her hands on her hips and look down condescendingly on her fellow lightweight. "Well at least you show some appreciation." Minami said mockingly as she tossed her hair behind her ear with a grin on he face. "Unfortunately you won't find yourself going any further, rather, I'll be kicking you down the mountain to the trash heap you belong." Minami said mockingly as she took her stance ready and waiting for Sanae, but not without saying one last piece. "Careful what you wish for..." She said to Sanae's call for Minami to do her worst..

Immediately after though the bell rang and Sanae came shooting towards Minami at high speed! But not fast enough for Minami to be caught off guard. Immediately putting her hand sup to catch the girl's hands as they locked up Minami wouldn't be phased, in fact, she almost looked disappointed. Immediately without losing a beat she would snap her leg up, trying to kick Sanae square in the gut! If that worked and stunned her than Minami would duck low and pivot, using a hand on one of Sanae's to pull the girl forward and send her running into the corner face first! "Did you really think it a good idea to lock up with a woman named the 'Venus of Submissions' Out of the gate? Tch I should have known to expect much better." She said mockingly to the girl with a shake of her head.

[CaptainL]

Sanae couldn't lie - she let out a gulp when she heard Minami caution her about her challenge for the Venus of Submissions to do her worst. She was putting herself in danger, and it could well lead to disaster. But she squeezed her fist tighter, and her teeth clenched in a grimace of defiance. To Minami, this match might have just been a formality - but to Sanae, it meant everything. This was her shot at the top, to the heights she had always yearned to achieve, and it was her chance to prove she could hold her own against some of the strongest opponents LAW had to offer. It didn't matter how high the stakes were, or how insurmountable the odds. Sanae couldn't let anything like that get to her. She had to assure herself she would win this. If she lost hope, she'd already have lost the match. But as long as she still believed she could, that she had a chance, there would be something pushing her forward. And that might be all she needed.

Sanae might have been hoping that her speed and her aggression could catch Minami off guard - after all, no one would have expected a rookie like her to throw caution to the wind against an esteemed veteran. But she wasn't surprised when it didn't, either. She knew that Minami had to have attained a great knowledge of all the positions one could take in a match, and how to counter each. Surely she had been in enough matches to have seen it all - and she must have been in a match where her opponent had tried this very move! When Minami caught her by the hands, all Sanae did was to shoot her a defiant glare, as if to tell her she wouldn't let this get to her. Even if Sanae was physically outmatched, she could still win the battle of wills!

But it was only a second later that Minami's leg kicked up from the ground - and Sanae keeled over forward with a gasp, the air knocked out of her lungs. She coughed and sputtered just enough for the veteran to turn, hurling her toward the ropes! When the aspiring idol looked up, she saw the ropes growing closer and closer with each step forward she took - but suddenly, a flash of insight crossed her mind. She, too, knew what she could do. If Minami let Sanae think she was outmatched, she had already lost. But defiance in the face of danger sent a message, a message that would tell the world what she wanted to say!

Just before she was about to hit the ropes, Sanae's hands shot out, and she grabbed a hold of them. The momentum still carried her forward, and she was bowled over the ropes and onto the apron - but she still hung on from where she had caught her grip. She took a moment to collect herself, with a few pants to catch her breath as she dangled over the edge of the ring with her feet in the air. But then, she pulled up on the same rope she dangled from, rising to rest her feet on the middle rope!

"Did I think that? Of course I didn't!" she snapped back as she straightened herself and faced her foe, turning Minami's own taunts against her. "But it doesn't matter if it works or not - what matters is that the world knows I'm not afraid of you!" With that, Sanae's feet pressed down on the ropes to stretch it beneath her - and then, she catapulted herself back at her opponent, her arms stretched out in front of her to ram her with a spear!

[Bare]

Minami wasn't someone who was cut off guard easily, nor did she allow herself to succumb to attacks she deemed beneath her. One such attack being a blind bull rush towards her in an attempt for a lock up. As such she was sure to punish Sanae for the foolish move with a brutal kick to the stomach that forced the girl to bend over and make her a prime target for Minami to send running at the ropes with an Irish whip. Ideally Minami would have liked for Sanae to bounce off them so she could further damage her with another move, but that wasn't to be the case for her just yet unfortunately.

After all aerial moves was the area Sanae was the most comfortable in when it came to wrestling and as a result she managed to find her footing, going right over the top rope and landing perched, perfect to bring herself back into the ring and right back at Minami. Making a strong case for her alleged fearless by once again charging Minami, this time with a spear! Once again though... Minami wasn't fazed by such a predictable tactic, nor was she impressed. "Then you're nothing but a fool." Minami would say, bracing herself as Sanae came in close, then at the moment Sanae would make contact Minami would pivot out of the way like a matador!

That wouldn't be it though. As soon as Sanae passed Minami would reach out, aiming to try and seize the younger girl's wrist as she passed before pulling on Sanae's limb, trying to use the girl's own momentum to pull her down to the mat face and chest first! If she did so successfully than Minami would lean onto Sanae's upper back before wrenching on Sanae's arm, trying to lock the girl into a fujiwara arm bar right out of the gate! "Do yourself a favor and tap now." Minami would say coldly as she pulled on Sanae's limb, torquing it to make the girl cry out in pain and consider her offer of tapping!

[CaptainL]

Was it risky, what Sanae was doing? Of course it was. No one was going to deny that. Perhaps it was even foolhardy, rushing straight into the clutches of a woman who would have been able to dismantle her joint by joint with ease. But to Sanae...that was the point. She wanted to show the world that she wouldn't back down, even in the face of intimidation. If she lost, then she would have at least gone down fighting the good fight, showing Minami that she couldn't stop her with her mind games. But even then, Sanae would be trying her best. If she won, that would mean all the more!

Her adrenaline was at its peak, and it was driving her forward as she sprung off the middle rope, streaking toward the veteran like a human missile. She let out a battle cry as she whirled past in a streak of white, blue, and green. Sanae's strategy right now was to push the offensive, and to never let up - hopefully, she might be able to blindside Minami if she wasn't prepared for such offense coming from the aspiring idol. But when that fast-paced, unrelenting assault went up against Minami's more careful, calculated system of reversals, counters, and careful positioning, it was bound to cause friction. Sure enough, just as Sanae was about to crash into her foe, Minami simply stepped to the side, getting out of the way!

Sanae's eyes went wide in shock as she came careening toward the mat. She only had enough time for her jaw to drop before she made impact - but she landed face-first on the mat, sending her skidding across the canvas off of her momentum! Her legs remained raised in the air, only dropping a moment later when gravity took hold, and leaving her groaning as she folded over with her hips in the air and her knees on the ground, nursing the aches in her face. Everything was happening so quickly that Sanae hadn't even noticed Minami grabbing her by the arm on the way down - that was, until she rolled onto her back, contorting her spine at the same time she wrenched on her shoulder!

The green-haired girl's face was held against the mat by the weight of her opponent's body, but when she was faced with such a painful hold, it wouldn't matter - she lifted her head into the air, her face contorted in agony as she let out a scream! Her eyes squeezed tightly shut, her mouth was agape, and her face was growing red from the unbearable strain coming down around her. And yet, when Sanae heard Minami's taunts, pressuring her to give up, she knew she couldn't do it. Her grimace turned from one of pain to one of defiance as she looked back over her shoulder. She had come too far, putting herself through too many challenges, to give up this easily! She was going to fight to the bitter end, no matter how much it hurt her!

"NO!! NEVER!!"

[Bare]

Sanae was a brat, a plaything, a total disgrace to the good name of pro wrestling. So were girls like her. Damned idol wrestlers all flooding to this sport because of that fool Sakura Hagiwara and her fool hardy career. Well Minami was ready to put an end to it once and for all. Starting first and fore most with one of the worst offenders in her eyes, namely Sanae. It was one thing to be a fake pro wrestler in her eyes. But it was another to be a fake, yet act like you were the real deal and talk so big about yourself. It truly made Minami's blood boil despite the smug smirk on her face.

Tonight was the night Minami ended Sanae's career and that started with making the little bitch beg her for mercy. Which begged the question, how best to handle Sanae right now? She had given the girl an easy out, but the green haired fool refused it, throwing it in Minami's face and instead choosing to do things the hard way... Something that Minami had totally expected with what she knew of Sanae. After all it was only because Sanae refused that Minami had even asked, now she could really get into things.. The only question was how.

After all from this position Minami could easily lock in her Venus Di Milo and potentially end the match here and now with her strongest move... and possibly with breaking Sanae's arms or pulling the shoulders out of their sockets... But no that would be too easy. Minami needed to break Sanae, destroy her.. humiliate her... At that thought Minami's eyes lit up, that single word instantly making her smirk as she shifted position, sitting up while retaining a grip on Sanae's arm with one hand while the other snaked around to grab a hand full of the back of Sanae's head.

"Very well." Minami said, lifting Sanae off the mat a bit... Before suddenly shoving the girl's head back down to the mat to smack her face off of it! "Guess I'll have to find... alternative means. Fine by me, in fact.." As she said this and assuming Sanae was stunned from the face slam Minami would grab Sanae's waist and haul her up so her legs were over her head, but not for a pinfall, oh no. "I'll give you the same treatment another certain phony got in her first real match!" Minami said, pulling Sanae's body back so her head rested on Minami's groin, all while Minami's legs went up and hooked over Sanae's knees before pulling apart, attempting to lock the girl in the infamous shame hold!

[CaptainL]

If nothing else, Sanae had to be defiant. She knew Minami's plan. She wanted to get in her head, to tear her down, to tell her that she was hopeless and that nothing she did could ever save her now. But Sanae knew better. She'd made it this far. She'd overcome opponents she could never have imagined besting even a single year ago, and even when she hadn't won her qualifiers she gave it the best fight she could anyway! If she had lasted this long, she could last against Minami. She might even have it in her to become Openweight Champion - and if she held onto that hope, she knew she could push through anything! No matter how much Minami pressured her to give in, no matter how much it hurt...she would just clench her teeth, her eyes held shut to keep any tears from flowing, and last it out, if that meant standing a chance!

Finally, Minami let go of Sanae's arm. Wincing against the pain, the green-haired girl pulled her arm closer, rubbing at her shoulder. No matter whether or not Minami had let her go, her arm still felt like it was on fire; her muscles and tendons had been stretched to the brink. And that wasn't all. Minami had already attacked Sanae's arm, but now she would attack her pride - as she pulled Sanae back up, rolling her head over heels. And before she knew what was happening to her, Sanae found her legs pulled apart - Minami's legs effortlessly folded into place, setting up the shame hold!

"H-Hey! HEY! What are you-!?" At first, out of instinct, Sanae's face went red. Her skirt fell upside down around her waist, and even though she had the foresight to wear shorts under it, they were still pulled tightly enough against her groin so as to leave little to the imagination anyway! Her hips twisted from side to side as she tried to pull her arms free enough to hold her skirt up, but that would only draw more attention from the cameras zooming in and the photographers flashing shot after shot. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry out in a panic, knowing how many people were watching the match, and how many people could see her in such a moment of shame.

But then, Sanae realized something. That was exactly what Minami wanted. If she did that, she would already be conceding defeat! Her eyes narrowed in a defiant glare, and she bit at the inside of her cheek to hold back the urge. She needed to prove she wouldn't fold, and she wouldn't let herself be held back! She needed to show she was better than this!

"Is that...the best you can do..?!"

[Bare]

Sanae really was an easy target to take advantage of. From the moment she made her promo calling the girl out Sanae had played into Minami's hands beautifully, falling for every trick and going down every path that Minami had wanted her too. Like a puppet being manipulated to its masters whims. It wasn't the way Minami usually liked to build her matches around, but Sanae was a special case being nearly the epitome of everything Minami hated of modern pro wrestlers. As such Minami was willing to use more heelish tactics than usual to break the girl once and for all and hopefully end her career before it truly got it, and in doing so start on her path of correcting the youth of this damn business.

So gaining the early lead in the bout Minami decided to punish Sanae rather than take a route to a near guaranteed victory off the bat. Doing so by turning Sanae around and lifting her up Minami would effortlessly lock in the dreaded shame hold, trapping Sanae in the infamous move and and prompting even more boos from the crowd, but of course the tell tale wolf whistles and flashes of cameras to capture the view of Sanae's most private area with it on full display.

There were a few things Minami had expected from this hold. Begging, crying, moans of humiliation. But infuriatingly enough Minami didn't get any of it. Rather all she got was a fleeting reaction, one that didn't last before Sanae responded challengingly to which Minami's eyes would narrow dangerously towards the girl. "I thought I told you to be careful of what you wished for." Minami said lowly as she moved to give Sanae exactly what she asked for by turning on her side, untangling one leg from Sanae's before bringing it to join her other leg around Sanae's.

If successful Minami would then reach up and grab Sanae's barely free leg with both hands. If she did so successfully Minami would lean back while using her legs to pull back on Sanae's own while using her arms to forcibly pull Sanae's near leg in the other direction, effectively pulling on Sanae's limbs for a much more painful, but equally humiliating banana split hold! One that, with Minami's expertise, was pulled to its maximum, stretching Sanae's legs out to the absolute limit in the process!