Michiko Shimizu vs. Maria Castillo

[CaptainL]

Michiko's eyes went wide as she saw Maria coming closer to her, seemingly taking off within split-seconds of her landing! Such agility and reaction time, she was sure, could only come from the most skilled and seasoned veterans of the ring - something that she was well aware, of course, was exactly what Maria was! But it was now time for Michiko to feel that, and feel it hard, as Maria flipped forward to slam down into the lilac-haired girl. As she bucked upward from the blow with a cough of the air leaving her lungs, the whole arena let out a gasp, whether that was in sympathy for her or astonishment at Maria's capabilities. For many, it was both.

But Maria wasn't done - as she hooked Michiko's leg for the pin! Bewildered as she was by Maria's speed, Michiko barely knew what was going on at first. But the ref was the same way - and this played out in Michiko's favor, as the confusion gave her the chance to react! Just as the ref was holding up her hand for the count of three, Michiko kicked out, moving to roll herself across the ring to get away from Maria. One thing was for sure - she was going to have to stay on her toes.

[SleeperAgent94]

Maria was thrown off in the sudden pin breakup, but the smile never left her face. The thrill of combat, the adoration of the crowd. It was all she could do not to stop and drink it all in. The feeling long since lost to her finally back within her grasp, and she couldn't get enough. Gesturing for her opponent to rise to her feet, the luchadora stomped her padded feet on the floor, ready for a final push to finish the woman off and secure her victory!

[CaptainL]

That was close, Michiko thought to herself. She gasped for air, trying to get her lungs filled and ready before she was thrown back into the fray. But with an opponent as fast as Maria was, she knew she wouldn't have much time to sit around and wait. She had to be on her toes!

She saw the veteran luchadora beckoning for her to get back up, and that was all the encouragement Michiko needed. She rolled to all fours, pushing herself back onto her feet. But so too did she see Maria's foot stomp on the ground, and Michiko grew tense. She recognized it right away; her opponent was preparing to strike with a big boot! This time, though, Michiko would be ready.

Before Maria's foot could leave the ground, Michiko went to swerve around and get behind her, hoping her foot would only hit thin air. Then, with a shout, she went to grab her by the arms and neck, wrenching on her back with a nelson hold!

[SleeperAgent94]

Foot stomping the mat, Maria gestured for Michiko to struggle to some form of stable footing, before taking off like a bullet! Bouncing into the ropes, she shot back at Michiko, only to hit nothing but air with the big boot! The luchadora stumbled right into the smooth nelson hold, immobilizing Maria's arms and putting her in a near impossible position to reverse! Feeling her limbs being bent back, she thrashed about, legs kicking the air, looking for any ounce of slack to slip away!

[CaptainL]

Having intercepted Maria in mid-stride, Michiko swerved around to lock the veteran luchadora in a nelson hold from behind! This brought a smile to Michiko's face, witnessing that even with the odds seemingly stacked against her she was still having an effect against her opponent! Her confidence growing in her, Michiko was ready to see where this success would take her from here on out!

With Maria held in place, Michiko would only use this to launch the next phase of her assault. She kept her grip on Maria's arms before lifting her legs to try and wrap them around her waist, squeezing with a bodyscissor!

[SleeperAgent94]

Maria was used to more slippery opponents in her past. Wouldn't be the first time someone tried to make the luchadora take a nap in the center of the ring. THe fact Michiko was able to mount such a comeback and attempt such a maneuver.....perhaps there was something in her after all. A small smile graced her lips, even as those strong legs began crushing her midsection, slowly squeezing the air out of her body! She stumbled back and forth, legs buckling and trembling with the strain of supporting her opponent's weight!

[CaptainL]

Getting up onto Maria's back, holding her arms while she wrapped her legs around hers, the lilac-haired wrestler was forcing her opponent to bear the full brunt of her weight on her shoulders. Now energized from her efforts, Michiko was filled with newfound confidence, and she was eager to put it to good use!

With her thighs now around Maria's waist, Michiko held down to put some pressure on her sides, but that would only be the beginning. Now that she had her weakened, Michiko could transition into another hold, finally releasing Maria's arms to swing her leg up around one and roll herself upward to hold the other. This way, she would get onto Maria's shoulders with an octopus hold!

[SleeperAgent94]

Maria would have applauded the masterful transition into the octopus hold had she not been so overwhelmed by the pain! Limbs stretching and burning with agonizing pain in her sockets, the luchadora gritted her teeth, hand clenching into a fist to prevent the almost instinctive urge to tap out in the hold. Her muscles tensed with the train, boots stomping to give herself a firm foothold on the canvas, growling as she fought Michiko for every agonizing inch she could muster, pulling her arm ever so slightly forward just so she had a chance to break free!

[CaptainL]

With her weight swung up onto Maria's shoulders, Michiko was putting all her effort into fighting on with as much might as she could bring to bear. Clenching her teeth, she grasped Maria's arm tightly to try and hold it still, pulling back on it to strain the joint, while her thighs flexed against the back of Maria's head to try and keep her position secure. She knew Maria was no opponent to be trifled with - and for that reason, she was going to have to put forth the best effort she could!

Of course, Michiko couldn't hold on forever, and that was doubly so when she was up against a veteran like Maria. As the luchadora stomped her feet, Michiko felt herself being jostled about back and forth, her hold easing little by little. As Maria forced herself forward, Michiko was finding it harder and harder to hold on. Her brow narrowed with determination, Michiko put one arm behind her to press her palm against the mat, trying to balance herself and maintain the hold as long as she could!

[SleeperAgent94]

Mari'a fist began to shake, with drops of sweat falling with audible drips onto the canvas. Her breath came out in gasps, already feeling her muscles begin to scream with the hold and weight being placed on her for so long! Still, she saw a way out.....possibly.....
If this worked, she would buy herself just a bit of time. If not...well......a loss this early wasn't going to derail her momentum.

With a warrior's cry, she managed to move forward, bending forward and using the momentum to flip them both, with Maria landing right on Michiko and crushing her body between her and the ring!