Sanae Saitou vs Kennedy Lee — Standard Match

[Monsy]

STANDARD MATCH

All standard rules apply
Victory via Pinfall, Submission!

BEGIN!

[CaptainL]

Continued from here

In a few seconds, Sanae Saitou would step through the curtains. And when that happened...whatever came next was anyone's guess.

The thought of going up against Kennedy Lee - a woman who had quickly established herself as a considerable threat to LAW, taking out Sanae's own friend and role model Alizeh Midori like it was nothing, and a woman who outweighed Sanae by two full weight classes - was already a daunting one. But even before this match had begun, Kennedy was waging psychological warfare, making sure Sanae knew and knew well that she wouldn't be safe no matter what she tried. She had cornered her in the contract signing leading into this match, forcing Sanae to agree to a set of terms - the so-called Glamorous Rules - that were stacked against her - and with Kennedy enjoying the protection of Cyber Legacy, no one could stop her from engineering the entire match into a nigh-guaranteed victory for her.

Glamorous Rules

• Sanae may not use a finisher in the match.
• Kennedy cannot lose the match through count-out or disqualification, but Sanae can.
• Sanae requires a five-count pin to win by pinfall. Kennedy only needs a three-count.
• Sanae cannot use rope breaks.
• Kennedy must accept any submission from Sanae.
• Sanae will be disqualified for any outside interference.
• Sanae may not play to the crowd.
• Both participants must use a special entrance.

To make matters worse, though, there was a third party watching this match with rapt attention - the Selection. Sanae's girlfriend Lyra, herself a member of the mysterious faction, had made an appearance in that contract signing, and she'd brought backup with her. Even if they were coming to the idol's defense, however, Sanae didn't know what to think of that. The Selection was a dark and shadowy power that was out to rule LAW by fear, and Sanae wasn't even sure why Lyra was working for them...if that even was Lyra. At the end of it all, the master of the Selection - the Anomaly - had made a proclamation: whoever won the match would be chosen to join their ranks. Sanae hadn't known any of this going in. And, now that she was in, she had no idea just what she was agreeing to - or what the consequences might be, regardless of if she won or lost.

Even so...it was too late to turn back now. She had a duty to her fans, and that was to show them all that she wasn't going to run away. She needed to show the world that she could be brave and capable and rise to the challenge, or Kennedy would have won before she threw a single punch! Sucking in a breath, Sanae stood a little taller and puffed out her chest. Whether she was ready or not...she had to do this.

"Coming first to the ring, from Itoshima, Japan! Standing at 5'2, weighing 115 pounds! SANAE! SAITOU!!"

Spoiler

Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuxUU0RO4nY

One of Kennedy's stipulations had been that Sanae had to use a special entrance for this match. That left the green-haired girl at somewhat of an impasse - how was she supposed to put on a show worthy of a PPV without Kennedy finding some excuse to consider it playing to the crowd, and get her kicked out? But Sanae was an idol at heart, and she wasn't going to forget that. The moment Sanae's name was called, the speakers began to pound with the beat of the music. And, as the curtains parted, a mobile stage wheeled onto the ramp, with a stereo system booming and lights beaming down on Sanae from above!

At the center of it all, Sanae danced across the stage, singing into her microphone along with the words of her theme song. She had brought all the energy and the production of one of her concerts into the Tokyo Dome, and the fans were reacting accordingly, with cheers and chants of "HOLY SHIT!" resounding through the air as they clapped along with the beat and waved glow sticks. At the moment the stage came to a stop by the ring, Sanae hit the last beat of her song with impeccable timing, and she dropped the microphone in her hand before taking a bow, to the sounds of a standing ovation!

Normally, this would be where Sanae thanked her fans for all their support. Maybe even put on an encore. But there could be none of that tonight. When Sanae stood back up, she looked at the ring with a staid and stoic expression. Even if she could play to her fans, there was no time for that - she had to get serious. Running to the ring, Sanae took a running leap and vaulted over the top rope, going to stick the landing on her feet inside the ring. From there, she could only await what Kennedy had prepared...

[Pegasus]

The stage would be rushed to the backstage area to make way for Kennedy’s entrance. A few minutes goes by with no fanfare yet and boos had already started raining down, but static could be heard and the LAW LOUD logo came on the titantron as the DJ presiding over the broadcast had seemingly been called in to give a special announcement.

“WHAT’S UP, WE ARE LAW?! THIS IS THE DJ THAT RUNS THE TUNES OF YOUR FAVORITE WRESTLERS AND THE ONE THAT PUTS THE JAM BACK INTO YOUR SOULS! WE ARE CURRENTLY LIVE WITH THE SPECIAL ENTRANCE OF MISS KENNEDY LEE AS SHE HAS REQUESTED THAT I AM THE ONE TO INTRODUCE HER! NOW, LET’S BRING THE REAL STAR OF THE SHOW OUT! FROM HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, STAR OF THE MIDNIGHT CODE COMING TO THEATERS SOON, A SOON-TO-BE HIT IN THE REALITY PERSONALITY REALM, AND POSSIBLY THE MOST FABULOUS WRESTLER ON LAW’S ROSTER TO DATE! YOU WON’T FORGET THIS ONE! THIS IS “GLAMOROUS” KENNEDY LEE!”

Kennedy Lee’s Theme Song

https://youtu.be/QTE1qtq_BOA?si=_1XkNk-LW3qDtz3r

The crowd went into a booing reaction as big pink letters were being brought out by stagehands as they each had light bulbs attached all around them. They spelled GLAMOROUS across the stage as the lights came on when the theme song started getting to the good beats. A black limousine pulled into the arena through the big black curtain as it drove straight towards the ramp parking before the driver got out of the driver’s seat and went to the back door opening it. He took the hand of Kennedy helping her out as the crowd went into a mixed reaction as some cheers came through. Kennedy had her hair dyed platinum blonde as she fluffed it out with her hands. She had sunglasses on, a pink boa wrapped around her neck, a glittery golden spandex bra, glittery golden wrestling trunks, a gold neck cuff with her initials in bold white attached and gold wrists cuffs with her white initials on them as well, and finally, Kennedy had on bright white wrestling boots with gold laces and gold bottoms. The back of her trunks spelled “GLAMOROUS” on the back in bold white as well.

Kennedy made her way to the ramp stepping up as she outstretched her hands letting gold pyro fall down behind her as the letters lit up the entrance stage brightly. Kennedy made her way to the ring waving to the crowd and blowing kisses to her adoring fans as she did have time to sign a little girl’s 8x10 photo of her with black marker. Kennedy even posed with her fan and the photo pouting her lips for a selfie before leaving for ringside. Kennedy looked down at the mats and pointed to a certain section wanting it to be cropped out. Two stagehands rushed over to her from the timekeeper’s area as she barked orders to remove the padding as the workers did their quickest act yet tonight cutting a small square of padding out to reveal a stunning sight!

A Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque that had Kennedy’s name on it and a camera symbol within a gold star. Kennedy heard mega cheers for this stunning display as Kennedy touched two fingers to her mouth revealing gold nail polish on her fingers before placing those fingers on the plaque patting it. Kennedy stepped over it before going up the stairs barking at the referee to hold the ropes open for her as the referee came over sitting on the white ropes to keep them gapped. Kennedy rubbed her boots on the apron and even pointed out to two special people in front row. These would happen to be her recently turned fiancées named Haleigh Grant and Sara Jacobs as they displayed their engagement rings to the cameras that surrounded them! The redheads made a very special appearance out here to support Kennedy!

Kennedy blew them both a kiss before she got in the ring taking off her bow to raise it to the other side of the crowd. She twirled it around in circles before throwing her boa straight to Sara and blew her girlfriends another kiss before stepping back to stare down Sanae with a hand firmly on her hip. Kennedy took off her sunglasses throwing them outside as she squared up.

“A battle of celebrities await us, Miss Saitou. I hope you remember the rules I set. I’d hate for this to be short film work added to your resume,” Kennedy taunted with a smirk.

[CaptainL]

As soon as Sanae had taken her place in the ring, she could feel the hairs already rising on the back of her neck. Now, she knew, the ball was in Kennedy's court - and whatever happened next, she would need to prepare for the worst. But it was clear right from the start that Kennedy had quite a show in mind! She even had a DJ to do the introduction for her?! Sanae had brought all the production of a concert tour to her entrance, but of course, Kennedy wasn't about to let herself be outdone. Sanae's jaw dropped in a gasp. In that moment, all that work she had put into her entrance seemed like it went right out the window. It didn't matter to her that the fans had loved it - if Kennedy had still found a way to outdo her, that was a blow against Sanae's pride.

Her fist clenched anxiously at her side, and her teeth clenched as she had no choice but to watch Kennedy's grand entrance on the scene. She had clearly spared no expenses when it came to making a statement - and when Sanae saw her sign a photo for a fan, it made her eyelid twitch. She knew she should've just appreciated it as the kind gesture it was, but right now, it was a sore reminder that Kennedy had handicapped her significantly for this match, preventing her from playing to the crowd. But of course, she could play to the fans all she wanted.

Those thoughts, however, would soon be cut short when Kennedy ordered the stagehands cut out a section of the canvas. "Huh..?" Sanae leaned in closer...only to let out an even bigger gasp when she saw that Kennedy had her Walk of Fame star set just beneath the mat! As she heard the crowd cheer, the idol could feel her heart sink. Kennedy's display was nothing short of a showcase of her sense of superiority over Sanae. She was rubbing it all in her face - and the fans were eating it up! How was she supposed to compete with that!?

Nevertheless, Sanae closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. No - she couldn't let it get to her. Not now. If she lost hope, then she may as well have been handing Kennedy the victory. She needed to bring the fight to her to prove that she wouldn't take this lying down - no matter the rules!

Her back straightening as her muscles clenched, Sanae lifted her head to look Kennedy dead in the eye. "I don't care how good you think you are," she said. "Everyone has seen what I'm capable of, too - and they know I'm more than a match. You might have tried to rig this match against me, but if there's one thing I'm good at...it's adapting! I'll meet you on your terms...and I'll still win!"

A few fans cheered at that statement, which caused Sanae to wince a little, hoping Kennedy wouldn't count it as playing to the crowd. Still, she cracked her knuckles and began to settle into a stance. She had to make good on her promise.

Sara, meanwhile, waved Kennedy's boa in the air as she cheered to her new fiance. "You show 'er some of that glam spirit, Kennedy!" she hollered. Haleigh was more to the point. "KICK HER IDOL ASS!"

[Pegasus]

*DING! DING! DING!*

The bell rang as Kennedy started circling Sanae and raised her hands as if wanting to go for a test of strength, but instead of clasping hands with Sanae, she instead pushed Sanae by the shoulders down on the mat. The crowd booed her a little bit as Kennedy beckoned Sanae to get up. Kennedy was already going into the mind games by proceeding to try to bully Sanae around and leave her a hot mess like at the press conference. Kennedy had pretty much stated her intentions right then and there: pushing Sanae into a corner and see if the idol wanted to tell truth by fighting back. She didn’t want to go full heel in front of her fiancés, but that didn’t mean she still couldn’t have some fun with her opponent.

“Come on, Sanae! Don’t let it be that easy! Beat me down! Beat me like the beating I gave to Alizeh!” Kennedy exclaimed at Sanae as she bent over with her hands on her knees grinning.

[CaptainL]

The moment the bell rang, Sanae could feel the sting of adrenaline shooting through her system. Her muscles went tense, and her eyes focused in on her opponent. Now, she knew, there was no room for failure - she had to give this her best shot, to prove to Kennedy - and the world - that she was worth taking seriously! Whatever hesitations she might have had going into this, they wouldn't matter now - they couldn't matter. That would only hold her back. And right now, she needed to prove to Kennedy she wouldn't let herself be intimidated that easily!

Seeing Kennedy raise her arms, Sanae thought she was about to go for a test of strength. It was an intimidating prospect, knowing how much Kennedy outweighed her - but Sanae couldn't get caught up in that. She needed to step up to the challenge; to show the world she believed she had it in her! The idol was hoping that the sight of her stepping up to Kennedy and taking hold of her hands would be proof enough that she was fully committed to this match, no matter the odds. But Kennedy had never intended for the two of them to be on equal footing. As soon as Sanae had closed into range, her hands instead went for her shoulders, shoving back with enough force to bowl the green-haired girl over on her back like it meant nothing!

"Gah..!" Sanae tumbled head over heels, falling to her back with a thud as her legs kicked up in the air. It wasn't the most dignified start to a match, and she knew it - when she looked up at Kennedy looming over her, with that smug, satisfied look on her face, it only made her teeth clench with a hiss. But Sanae couldn't let Kennedy win. Not this match, and not the battle of wits that went hand in hand with it! She needed to come back swinging, and she was fully prepared to do that!

"Just wait! I'm only getting started!" she snapped back in defiance. Planting her hands and feet against the mat, Sanae would try to shove herself back up with a forceful push - and as she rose, she would swing her leg out in front of her, attempting to drive her knee into Kennedy's jaw with her upward momentum!

[Pegasus]

Kennedy saw Sanae push herself up and just as Kennedy reached to push Sanae back down, Sanae silenced Kennedy’s advances with a knee straight to her jaw. Kennedy’s head flung to the side as saliva spit out to the crowd area. Kennedy stumbled into the ropes and tried kicking back at Sanae’s stomach to get her off her. The Glamorous One would try to go for a hard Lariat bringing Sanae back down on her back before she looked out at her fiancées. She blew them both kisses as the crowd gave a mixed reaction to Kennedy’s sign of affection as Kennedy went into grabbing Sanae’s head to bounce it off the mat hard!

[CaptainL]

Kennedy was determined to keep Sanae down, both literally and figuratively. She had carefully arranged the stipulations of this match to hamstring what the idol had at her disposal, making sure she held the advantage at all times. And even then, she easily outweighed Sanae - a fact that she was using to her advantage when it came to her more literal efforts; she was exerting all that weight to put pressure against the smaller girl, shoving her down. But Sanae wouldn't let that stop her. She just looked back up at Kennedy with a glare - a glare she would quickly back up, as she jumped up and threw her knee in an arc, striking straight for her opponent's jaw!

The blow landed with a crack, drawing a few cheers and claps from Sanae's fans. She smiled a little, hearing them - that, she thought, was proof that she still had people on her side; people who believed that she could conquer the odds and prove Kennedy wrong, no matter how they were stacked against her. But just a moment later, that smile vanished. Sanae couldn't play to her fans or cheer alongside them. She couldn't rely on keeping that hype up and letting it energize her. She was on her own now, and she had to tune out old habits - all that focus had to be on Kennedy!

Even if Sanae had struck a blow against Kennedy, it didn't seem to keep her down for long. The blonde quickly bounced back, driving a kick into Sanae's gut and causing her to double over forward with a cough. She was forced to take a step back - which put her into range when Kennedy charged a moment later, swinging out her forearm and catching her upside the jaw! Just a moment ago, Sanae had been teetering forward; now, her head swung back with a crack, and the rest of her body followed. Thrown off her balance, she tipped backward, waving her arms to try and stabilize herself, before flopping onto her back. And there, Kennedy would keep on the pressure, slamming Sanae's head back against the mat!

The back of the idol's skull hit the canvas with a loud thud, causing her whole body to bounce up from the recoil. She let out a scream, and her senses went fuzzy for just a moment. But when she came back down, she glared back at Kennedy nonetheless, hissing through her clenched teeth. She couldn't let things be that easy! She had to fight back against Kennedy any way she could! In defiance, Sanae would reach forward to grab for one of Kennedy's ankles as she began to sit up, pulling it toward her to try and bring her off balance. The blonde might have held the size advantage, but it wouldn't mean anything if Sanae could cripple her limbs and compromise her footing. And if she could sweep Kennedy off her foot like this, she'd put her submission training to the test, throwing her legs around her upper leg and clenching down to brace Kennedy's leg in a straight position, where she would hold it against her chest and crank down on it to stretch it with a kneebar!

[Pegasus]

Some people probably saw this as the most one-sided affair possible. Kennedy had a harder time in the first fall against Alizeh and almost lost in that span of time had she not get out of the way of Alizeh’s aerial splash. This was still early, but Sanae was already grounded more than expected. She had no crowd to play through and her size was dwarfed by Kennedy’s sheer structure. However, this was Sanae who was able to be in contention and could fight for the LAW Openweight Chanpionship. Kennedy hadn’t bothered with the Apex series as Cyber Legacy and her Hollywood commitments filled her time so she didn’t research about Sanae much. She failed to realized Sanae was more than a one trick pony. Kennedy fell on her stomach and felt her leg being snatched up.

Sanae pulled it up to her chest as she started wrenching it away from her in a submission as Kennedy gritted her teeth. Her growling came into audible range of microphones and a short yelp escaped her lips. Sanae was also putting on tremendous pressure as Kennedy felt her ankle being bent back as far as it could to the extent. Kennedy had to push through as she army crawled for the ropes. That at least opened up a small window for Sanae to continue her work or try for something else.

[CaptainL]

When she'd started out her main roster career, submissions hadn't exactly been Sanae's strong point. She preferred to use her agility to her advantage, and relied on the aerial moves that never failed to get her fans hyped up. But things were different now. In the leadup to her Apex match against Toshimi Minami, Sanae had brushed up on her technical abilities, making sure she could prove a match for even the Venus of Submissions. She was still willing to use those lessons to her advantage. And considering Kennedy had forbade her from playing to the crowd, Sanae didn't need to worry about looking good any more - she could focus on what really worked! Perhaps that stipulation was a blessing in disguise. Normally, Sanae's matches were every bit a performance as they were a show of force, with her wanting to show off her skills to her adoring fans. But with that out of the picture, every bit of effort she had in her was concentrated on dealing damage!

In fact, by the looks of things, what Sanae was doing was working! She had pulled Kennedy's leg out from under her, causing the heavyweight to fall flat on her face, and that left her with free reign to crank on the pressure against her joints! The crowd roared with cheers at Sanae's impressive counter, and the green-haired girl smiled a little hearing it - but she couldn't forget that there was still work to be done. Now that she'd brought Kennedy down, she held the advantage, and it was up to her to exert it for all it was worth!

The kneebar couldn't be the end! Now Kennedy was open to even more punishing submissions, and Sanae was ready for that! Releasing her legs from around Kennedy's knee, Sanae nevertheless kept holding on to her ankle. She would push herself up to her feet, twisting Kennedy's legs into a figure four with her own arms joined in the middle. If she could set everything up right, she would wrench backward on Kennedy's legs, trying to compress her back with a Texas cloverleaf!