Hiromi Rondo vs. Astrid Ostberg - Power Blitz!

[Arjuna]

Hiromi thought that she would be able to hit Astrid with the running big boot, but she didn't consider the fact that her opponent might be able to dodge the attack. She only realized her mistake when the Norwegian moved aside, and Hiromi ended up hitting the ropes instead. She had to grab onto the ropes to prevent herself from being sent out of the ring, and she huffed, losing her concentration thanks to Astrid avoiding her attack.

Quickly regaining her bearing, Hiromi would direct her attention on her opponent who had moved aside. This time, she had no time to go for a more complicated move as she would try to close in, looking to smash her forearm right into Astrid's head!

[CaptainL]

Astrid had to think fast to get out of the advancing Hiromi's way, but it paid off, as she was able to dodge the incoming rush just in time. With Hiromi's boot striking the ropes and sending a vibration through the ring, Astrid tried to capitalize on the brief moment of freedom she was allotted to try and move herself into place, circling behind her opponent. There, she had hoped to get another move in...but Hiromi had other ideas!

Throwing her arm back, Hiromi managed to land a forearm strike on Astrid before the Norwegian could get into place. Her arm struck Astrid square in the nose, causing her to let out a yelp as she staggered backwards, clutching her face in an effort to shield herself from damage.

[Arjuna]

Hiromi managed to swing her forearm right into Astrid's face, hitting her square in the nose. Turning around, she realized what she had done, thinking that she might have busted her nose or something, but she quickly caught herself before she could utter out an apology. Due to the strike, she saw an opportunity to land more hits on the Norwegian, so she would propel herself forward, closing in as she would try to grab her opponent's body.

"Uuuraahhhhh!!!" Letting out a hot-blooded battle cry, she would try to slip her arm between Astrid's legs as her other arm would go to her shoulder. She would exert her strength to lift the Norwegian up, turning around before slamming her down into the mat with a powerful-looking scoop slam!

[CaptainL]

It was probably in Hiromi's favor that she stopped herself before she offered a word of apology to Astrid, as following up on her strike, she was able to close in on the Norwegian before she could recover. As the Japanese girl bellowed with a rush of energy, Astrid was caught up in her stride, going flying up off her feet as Hiromi hooked her arms into place underneath her legs. Then, the blonde went slamming down into the mat with enough force to shake it, as a groan left her lungs, winded from the rough landing.

[Arjuna]

Slamming Astrid down into the mat with a scoop slam, Hiromi took a look at her opponent, thinking that the attack might have taken quite a lot out of the Norwegian. Smiling a little, she would then hook an arm under her knee as she would put herself on her body, lifting one of her legs for a pinfall attempt.

As she did so, the referee would come next to them and start counting for the pin, slapping the mat.

"ONE!"

[CaptainL]

Astrid's full weight had hit the mat, and Hiromi was quick to follow on it, throwing herself down atop the Norsewoman to secure the pin. At first, Astrid was still reeling - but she was tough, and a single slam wouldn't keep her down for long. As soon as she heard the referee count one, Astrid started to return to her senses, shaking herself out and fixing her attention onto Hiromi.

"TWO!" Astrid wouldn't manage to stop Hiromi by the second count - but she wasn't allotting her Japanese opponent the victory, as she quickly jerked herself upward to shake Hiromi off her. After that, she would try to throw an elbow into Hiromi's side to try and do some damage while they were both down.

[Arjuna]

When she heard the second count, Hiromi couldn't help but smile, thinking that she might win this, but much to her disappointment, Astrid broke the pin before the referee could finish her count. As Hiromi was about to lift herself up, she took an elbow into her side, which caused her to groan out in pain, stopping her advance.

"Urgh..." Grunting, Hiromi would press her hand on the spot where she was hit, hoping to soothe the pain. She would get herself on her knees, trying to regain her bearing and composure so that she could get herself back into the fight. Due to the pain, the Japanese rookie was unable to follow up with her next attack, which would give Astrid a chance to recover as well.

[CaptainL]

Throwing her elbow against Hiromi, Astrid managed to stun the brunette, who went reeling from the blow and clutching her side in an effort to dull the pain she felt. But as Hiromi rolled onto her knees, Astrid wasn't about to let her get away from her any time soon. She had more in store for the rookie, as she went to swing around behind her while she recovered, moving to lock her arm around her neck for a sleeperhold!

[Arjuna]

As she recovered, Hiromi found out that Astrid had moved behind her and locked her arm around her neck, putting her in a sleeperhold. "Hrnghh!!" Hiromi winced as she was being put in the hold. She would try to pry the arm off of her neck, hoping to release herself from the hold while at the same time, she would struggle in order to try breaking free.

As she was still on her knees, she would then try to slowly get herself back up on her feet, hoping that the upwards movement would make it hard for Astrid to keep the hold on her.

[CaptainL]

Hiromi struggled, and Astrid did her best to ride through it, trying to resist as best she could. She twisted in tune with the rookie's movements, trying to hang on and keep up the pressure on her head for as long as she could manage. But Hiromi was definitely making it hard for her, and her grip slowly but surely began to release. Finally, Hiromi shoved herself to her feet, and that was the last straw. Astrid was forced to let her arms drop from Hiromi's head, going staggering back away from Hiromi as her grip was wrenched away.