Overshadowing the Grand Duchess: Oleander (debut) vs Alena Stepanova

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander would find herself in Greco Roman bottom position, but would soon force herself to fall backwards and get Alena off of her.. unaware that her opponent would try to capitalize this opportunity!

[CaptainL]

In applying the right amount of force in the right places, Alena had been able to disrupt Oleander's center of balance, toppling her over backward and reversing their positions! Now that she was no longer being threatened, the Russian woman was able to mount her attack on her foe, catching her by the leg and twisting it back to put some more pressure on Oleander's joints while she rolled herself on top of her. Oleander, however, was one step ahead of her. Staying in motion the Englishwoman would roll herself over, ending up on her back. Alena was forced to let go in the process. But that didn't slow Alena down - not at all! No matter what position she or her opponent were in, she had a way out, and she was about to prove that to the world!

Now that Oleander was on her back, that meant Alena could swing herself around to get in a north-south position, lying parallel to her. She would cup Oleander's elbow with one arm, pulling it closer around her side - and then, she'd swing her leg around one of Oleander's own, hooking her knee to keep her leg under control as she pulled back to extend her arm with a shoulder lock.

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLuTx1LJ2AM

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander grunts as she glares at Alena, trying to squirm out of her hold, using her left hand to grab a hold of her hair and slam the back off her head on the canvas in the hopes of escaping her hold.

[CaptainL]

Alena huffed to herself as she settled into place, torquing at Oleander's arm. So far, she was doing well enough - she had the Englishwoman under control, and every inch she pulled back harder would only do more damage. But she watched Oleander all the same - she knew she couldn't underestimate her foe. Oleander was every bit as skilled a grappler as she was, and she had to be prepared for anything.

That rang even more true when Oleander changed up her tactics! Up to this point, the two of them had been letting their grappling skills shine, using the same technique and strategy that wouldn't be out of place in the octagon. However, as Oleander was about to display, she wasn't afraid to fight dirty either! Alena didn't even see it coming as she grabbed her by the hair. But by the time it had happened, the Englishwoman had already claimed leverage over her - and she was about to use it, as she rammed her head down into the mat!

"GAH-!" As she fell back, Alena struck the canvas, letting go of Oleander. Her hips bucked and her legs kicked up in the air as her body came bouncing back upward from the impact, leaving a throbbing sensation in the back of her skull. She'd been expecting Oleander to keep up with grappling, so this had thrown her for a loop! Nevertheless, she was just as willing to adapt - and she wouldn't let this stop her now!

As she came to her senses, the Russian would tuck her legs in closer, bringing her knees up to her chest to protect herself from anything Oleander might do next. Then, she would swing those legs back out to try and latch them around Oleander's head, trying to catch her in a headscissor before she could get too far away!

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander decides to keep her distance from Alena before resting at a nearby turnbuckle.

Oleander: *Thinking* It’s quite clear she enjoys manipulating other people’s limbs, I need to be careful unless I end up having my shoulders and knees dislocated!

[CaptainL]

Alena had swung her legs out through the air to try and get a hold of Oleander's arms, but it was no use - the blow she'd taken to the back of her head had left her rattled, and that gave the Englishwoman just enough time to scramble out of the way. When Alena sat back up, she saw that Oleander had scrambled back toward the turnbuckle, well out of her reach. She huffed to herself in disappointment - but still, she reminded herself, this wasn't the end. They were only in the second fall of five, and she would have plenty of opportunity to show Oleander what she was really made of.

Kipping back up to her feet, Alena took a moment to crack her knuckles and roll out her shoulders, easing the stiffness in her joints. Then, she began to close in on her foe, beckoning for her to come closer as she offered a lockup. All the while, she made slow and careful strides, watching for any opportunities Oleander might present her with. "Not giving up so soon, are you?"

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander: Heh, far from it.. I’m just getting started, but I must acknowledge your talent Ms. Stepanova! I never met someone of your age so well versed in grappling..

[CaptainL]

Even if they were in the middle of a pitched match, Alena and Oleander had nothing but respect for one another. It wasn't hard for the two of them to see the dedication both of them put into their craft, and both of them could recognize the mark of an accomplished grappler when they saw it. They were truly putting one another up to a challenge - and when Alena thrived when she was placed into a competition where she'd have to work hard to come out on top, she couldn't have asked for anything better.

A grin lit up across her face as she stepped up to Oleander, moving to take her hands for a lockup. "It's an honor to hear those words from someone as skilled as you," she said. But just because Alena was flattered by Oleander's praise didn't mean she was going to go easy on her. She was every bit as determined to win this match as she'd always been - something she would soon demonstrate when she made her move!

First, Alena would move to shove at Oleander as though she was trying to bring her off-balance and then ducked lower, feinting a takedown attempt. But that was just buying some time for her next move. If Oleander went to defend herself against a takedown, Alena would instead spring for her leg - attempting to grab onto it and spin herself around to bring her off her feet with an Iminari roll!

"But I'll have you know...I'm just getting started!"

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwMqG5xPBt4

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Oleander locks up with Alena, starting to tower over her due to the scholar’s size advantage. But got caught off guard by the Grand duchess' sudden movement causing the two to end up on the canvas.

Oleander: Trust me when I say that so am I! (She’s able to escape the hold as the two resume their test of strength) But I will admit, I was actually caught off guard by that hold of yours.. don’t think I’ll fall for the same trick again though!

[CaptainL]

Alena knew that with Oleander's size advantage, the Englishwoman had a natural edge in any test of strength. But she wouldn't let that deter her. What she lacked in size, she was more than confident she could make up for in her spirit, her willpower, and her knowledge of grappling. If she couldn't push Oleander over by force, she would feint her into breaking her guard, only to grab onto her leg and spin in place to sweep her off her feet! As the two girls went down, a cheer could be heard through the stands at Alena's dynamic display!

However, before the Russian grappler could press her advantage, Oleaner was able to pull her leg free. Alena huffed under her breath, a bit frustrated that her efforts had been so foiled before she even had a chance to start. Nevertheless, that was a punch she was willing to roll with. She sat up on her knees, facing Oleander, and as she offered another test of strength, Alena didn't hesitate to lean in and take it. She wouldn't back away from any challenge! All the same, however, Alena knew that Oleander outweighed her, and she was steadily pushing her back; she began to bend backward inch by inch the more Oleander leaned in against her. But Alena wasn't deterred. She knew all the same that she could still achieve dominance from this position!

As she began to teeter back, Alena suddenly took one hand off of Oleander to hook it over the back of her neck, while her other hand grabbed her elbow. Kicking one leg out to go between Oleander's, and throwing her weight over to the side, she would then attempt to toss Oleander over with a butterfly sweep! If all went well, she would land on top of Oleander, where she'd join her hands around her neck for a circle choke!

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYdoNA38q30&t=80s