Hope & Tyranny: Tae-Hyun Lee (D) vs Karolina Ray Reinhardt

[Misfit_Alien]

Tae-Hyun didn't say a word as Maria directed her bloodlust and rage toward him with that piercing scowl and glare. Despite being smaller and lighter, the woman wasn't allowing herself to seem like the prey here. Through all manner of psychological tactics, the dreaded Scarlaheart still appeared as a monstrous apex predator to the audience. Even with Tae-Hyun holding a significant advantage over her physically, people couldn't help but be fearful of the increasingly feral machinations of what a cornered beast looked like. The Reinhardts may appear elegant and above it all, but in Maria's case...she might as well be a bloodthirsty lion on the plains of the Serengeti. Tae-Hyun could feel this intensity coming straight from the tone in her voice. He dismissed the act of her spitting in his direction, brushing it off before looking at her with a warm, unyielding smile.

"Staying down isn't my thing...What kind of hero would I be if I did that?" He asked coyly. As Scarlaheart approaches, the man prepares for battle yet again as he bolsters his defenses. First came that kick which gave Tae-Hyun a stark reminder that Maria's legs felt like a strong, tempered blade attempting to cut through the bone of the hero's legs. Tae-Hyun buckled ever so slightly, but it was all that Maria needed in order to capitalize as she speared his abdomen with a strong punch. Tae-Hyun released the briefest gasp from his lips, backing up a single step as he slid one foot back...but he didn't back down entirely. While Maria expected the man to crumble, he instead reacted by quickly latching onto the woman's outstretched arm and fist, grabbing her by the wrist, and twisting her limb. In a single, brilliant flowing motion, he spins the woman's arm around her back, comes around to the front, scoops one arm underneath her, latches onto her neck, and RAISES the woman for a sudden Hammerlock Northern Light Driver, the bulky fighter displaying that he was as swift as he was skilled before driving the woman down onto the canvas.

Spoiler

[Monsy]

One thing about playing to her size was the speed. She didn’t have reach, but she was aware of her shortcomings. Keeping him behind was the key, so working on a leg would allow her to chip him down. Control the field. It seemed to work after the first throw, then came a sequel, shifting weight and turning the hips to throw that hand RIGHT into his stomach. Now would’ve been the time to withdraw and pick the next battle, but, “!!!” His plans were different. She arched with the twist that came around, between her legs and then tucked into his armpit. It shook her to her core, frozen up, not having a limb to wail before she took into the air like a feather, dangling, then collapsing on her head and neck. The pain buzzed. A balloon that rapidly inflated and popped. And that pop brought the nastiest headache through and around her forehead, left her clutching and tucking her eyes shut, sitting up only to slink back down, flat on her back, wincing and groaning. One boot continued to kick idly, stomping as she stewed to piece her scrambled conscious back together.

[Misfit_Alien]

After driving his opponent down onto the canvas with a mighty slam, Tae-Hyun goes for the cover, draping himself over Maria's partially limp body and hooking her leg. As he settles in, he can feel this weird sensation coursing through him. It was as if Scarlaheart's fury had manifested into something tangible...all that rage and bloodlust was creeping down his spine just from the pure, physical contact. There was a LOT to unpack here, and Tae-Hyun WANTED to help the woman see a better and brighter side of things, but there was likely no risk in saving someone so feral and treacherous, much to his dismay. If he extended a hand of compassion and forgiveness to the woman, she would probably grab hold with the intent to rip it off and take the man's hand as a trophy. Vivid and disturbing thoughts aside, Tae-Hyun goes for the pin as the referee moves into position.


"1...!!!"

"2...!!!"

"-..."

[Monsy]

The slam knocked her brain loopy. She spilled onto the canvas with a face-up palm spread out, the other trapped beneath her back. Two long blinks came from the woman before her eyes slunk back and she groaned one last time from the drilling headache that took her out. What came next seemed rudimentary after seeing how she was laid out.

“-THREE!” And the bell summoned a short onslaught of cheers.

Karolina sighed. “It seems I must be disappointed yet again.”
Adelaide smiled, “Do you want to collect her?”
And Karolina stood, gave one last look to the ring then dismissed it with her hand. “She can find her own way. Don’t trouble yourself either -- we didn’t lose anything of value.”

They both looked each other in the eye, then as Karolina walked, so did Adelaide. Together they left the stage to the back, where they’d whisk themselves away amidst bodyguards and staff, right to their limousines and off to find the nearest distraction. Tonight, the hero reigned victorious.

Winner via Pinfall: Tae-Hyun Lee