AV 21 Rising Star Championship - Amber Addison vs Karen Aoki-Justice

    Vs.    

"The last time you looked at me like that was when I graduated from university," Karen said, noticing in the mirror that Victoria was not taking her eyes off her.

The girl finished her warm-up, got to her feet and approached the Englishwoman. Victoria smiled and adjusted her glasses. It was really hard for her to contain her emotions tonight. Especially because of Karen. It was because of her that she became a manager at AFW. She raised Karen for most of her life. And for her, there was no person more important than this girl, who was waiting for the title match today.

"And how else can I look at my daughter, who once again stands on the threshold of something great?" she asked.

The smile on Karen's face widened. In the love between a parent and a child, it is rare to see something amazing. But not in this case. Karen wasn't her daughter. And Victoria wasn't her mother. But they were a real family to each other. For Karen, Victoria was more than a mother. And for Victoria, Karen was more than a daughter. The Japanese girl hugged her manager. And she felt Victoria hug her back tightly.

"You deserve this moment, Karen," she said, "take one step forward and you will become who you always should have been."
"Thank you, mom," Karen said, taking a step back, it was obvious that she wanted to ask something, "listen... is father coming?"

Victoria lowered her eyes. Karen immediately understood what this meant. Her father was a very famous and important diplomat who was very rarely at home. His work was diplomatic missions around the world. She noticed how upset Victoria was by her question, so she smiled.

"It doesn't matter, the main thing for me is that you look at me, the rest is sheer nonsense," she said confidently, "well, I have to go!"

The girl headed for the door. And she was about to leave the locker room when Victoria called out to her.

"Karen!" she said. "I have always been proud of you and I will always be."

At that moment, Karen realized that if she answered something, she would not be able to hold back her tears. So she smiled broadly and nodded, then left the locker room. She took a deep breath before heading down the long hallway. Of course, she was sorry that her father would not be among the audience. But she's used to it. She spent most of her life alone. Her real mother abandoned her when she was still a child. And her father was almost never at home because of the endless trips. Almost all her life, only Victoria was with her. And therefore, the fact that the person closest to her, who raised her, who always believed and supported her, would look at her, was more than enough. Karen stopped in front of the curtains.

Karen was sure that in a moment her music should start. But instead, she heard something else. Multiple quick steps. Someone was running in her direction. The young girl turned around and before she could do anything, she was again in hugs.

"It seems you want me to completely soften up before the match," the Japanese girl said with a soft smile.
"I couldn't help but see you before such an important event!" said Margarita, hugging her best friend even tighter.
"Thank you, I'm really pleased," Karen tried not to give in to emotions, but it was very difficult, "well, that's enough, that's enough, you'll strangle me."

Margarita let go of Karen and took a step back. Finally, the Japanese girl was able to look at her friend. As always, this bright Danish girl smiled and seemed to radiate light from her. She saved Karen when she was on the verge of despair. And she was really glad to see her. Karen wanted to say something, but Margarita beat her to it.

"Do you remember what you promised me in that park?" she asked.
"Margarita, I..."
"Do you remember?"
"Yes, I promised you that everything would be fine," Karen nodded.
"You don't want to admit it, then you are the best person I know!" said Margarita. "I believe in you! I couldn't get this chance, but you always deserved it! So please do your best! And you're going to need this! You know how much they love it!"

Karen was forced to close her eyes and take a deep breath. She had no right to start crying a few moments before going out to the audience. But Margarita's words meant the whole world to her. Karen opened her eyes and smiled at what the Danish girl was holding out to her. She happily took the microphone in her right hand.

"Thank you, Margarita," she said, her voice slightly trembling due to emotion, "I will do my best!"
"Hai!"

The Japanese girl turned back to the curtains. She has come a very long way. Not only Victoria, Margarita and their entire team believed in her, but also the audience who went this way with her. Now it's time to justify their hopes.

Entrance Music:

Attire:

Her music started and Karen came out from behind the curtains to loud applause and shouts from the audience. With a wide smile, she began a small dance, and then began to wind up the audience, clapping to the beat of the music. They joined her and the hall was filled with loud peals of single claps. As she began to slowly descend the ramp, Karen brought the microphone to her mouth.

"Never get to a point where..."
"Where I'm ever gonna quit, no!"
"I'm always pushin' harder!"

She stopped for a moment and playfully moved her shoulders, let the audience and fans enjoy the moment. She performed her song only twice. During her debut in Friction and during her debut in Tension. She didn't count on it today, but Margarita was right, the audience wanted it. And Karen received tremendous support.

"Nothin' here is gonna stop me,"
"Nothing's gonna bring me down, no!"
"You gotta step on some heads when you reach for the crown!"

The girl started running and quickly rolled under the lower rope. The pause in the music was too short, but she managed to jump to her feet in order to shout what everyone wanted to hear instead of with the audience. Words that fully reflected the essence of Karen. Words worthy of a champion.

"This is where the legend begins!"
"This is where the legend begins!"
"This is where the legend legend!"

She jumped onto the middle ropes and pointed at the audience with her left hand. It was easy to see that the Japanese girl was enjoying this moment. She loved her fans and she was willing to do anything for them. Especially here in New York, in Madison Square Garden. Especially here on the Avalanche.

"Are you ready?!"
"Are you ready?!"
"Are you ready?!"
"You ain't even ready for it!"

Karen raised her heads even more, even her face turned slightly red, but she wanted them to remember this moment forever. She wanted to share this moment with the audience.

"Are you ready?!"
"Are you ready?!"
"Are you ready?!"
"You ain't even ready for it!"

Her music ended, but Karen didn't lower the microphone. Together with the whole arena, she took a deep breath to say it one last time so loudly that the whole of New York could hear it!

"THIS IS WHERE THE LEGEND BEGINS!!!!!"

After that, she threw away the microphone and threw both hands up, enjoying the applause of the audience. She really had a talent for interacting with them. Maybe not as bright as Margarita's, but Karen always felt what her fans and viewers needed. Why? Because she was the most ordinary person who can understand those who come to watch her matches. the young girl jumped off the ropes and headed to the center of the ring. Ring announcer took the floor.

"Ladies and gentlemen! New stars shine the brightest! And today we will see the birth of a new star! I am pleased to welcome you at the AFW Rising Star Title match!! And without further ado, introducing first! Participated in both Friction and Tension matches! Still undefeated!!! The winner of Hell on Earth PPV, who deserved the right to call herself the Horsewoman of the Apocalypse FAMINE! KAREN!!! THE HAWK MOTH!!! AOKI-JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!"

Under a new wave of noise and applause, the Hawk Moth raised her hands above her head. This moment was incredible. She had been coming to this for a long time and now she was standing in front of almost two hundred thousand spectators. The title match. Each of her matches was amazing, but this day was completely different. She felt it.

The Japanese girl greeted the referee and went to her corner. Leaning back, she put her hands on the upper ropes. There are moments in life that cause fear. But today Karen felt no fear. She knew what she was capable of. And today she was determined to justify all the hopes placed on her. For her friends sake. For Victoria's sake. And for her own sake. The young girl took a deep breath. It remains only to wait for the second contender.

Karen turned her head to the side as another music started. Contrary to expectations, her opponent's entrance was very calm. It was easy to notice that the girl was just confidently approaching the ring. But even so, the audience was more than disposed to her. The right corner of Karen's lips lifted slightly. The reasons were as clear as the sky without clouds. Amber gained fame in a very short period of time, which was really unusual and even somewhat surprising. Not everyone gets such a lucky chance. Someone has been waiting for years for the opportunity to take part in the title match. But she came here much earlier. And the audience, of course, was delighted with it.

The Japanese girl often discussed such things with Victoria. As strange as it may sound, but AFW it was like a completely different world in some aspects. Some wrestlers here try to work on themselves day after day, trying to get better, but, nevertheless, they do not achieve any significant success. At the same time, other people get unimaginable opportunities. Recently, the world champion defended her belt against a girl who had only one lost match behind her back. And no matter how much Karen and Victoria argued about the reasons for such events, they could not find a better answer than the one that was already known.

And, of course, a loud and warm welcome was associated with the title match. After Yukina, who could undoubtedly be called the best Rising Star at the moment, lost her title, the history of this belt began to rapidly regress. And it was painful for many to look at it. For a long time, the title was assigned to a wrestler who did absolutely nothing to maintain the prestige of this belt, which was no less important than all the others. Margarita and Karen wholeheartedly wanted to do something about it. But day after day, month after month, and even year after year, the Rising Star title was accompanied only by silence. But the fact remained. Most of all, it was the audience who wanted to see the changes. And that's why today was a real holiday for them. They wanted to see a new worthy champion. And they will, no doubts about it.

Amber climbed the ring and returned the courtesy to the audience, greeting them from every corner, except for Karen's corner. The Hawk Moth was quite calm, but she still ran her eyes over her rival. She was clearly superior to the American girl in height and weight. But this was not a reason to relax. Karen wasn't one to study every second of her rivals' matches. But she knew more than enough. Besides, she had the opportunity to learn about this girl from the mouth of the one whom Karen called her best friend. Margarita couldn't beat this brown-haired girl, but she was able to more than fully tell Karen everything that was necessary. And not only to tell, but also to help with training, because the former actress had real experience, and this is much better than records of matches.

"I'll do it," Karen thought.

Memories flew before her eyes. Before the Summer Splash, Victoria gathered their entire team, as the title matches were waiting for Karen, Astrid and Charlotte at the main event of the summer. Karen and Lily performed "We are the Champions" for the team. It was a very good moment. And recently, before going to New York, Karen, Astrid and Charlotte got together again. It was a good evening. They were able to tell each other about everything they had in their hearts.

It's been a tough year. For their entire team. But especially for Karen, Astrid and Charlotte. First, Astrid lost the match for the Hardcore title. Then, at the Summer Splash, Charlotte lost the match for the World title. And at the same time, Karen and Astrid's matches were canceled. Karen didn't believe in fate and other such things. But even to her it seemed something strange and even to some extent cruel. None of their team has achieved any significant results, despite all their efforts. But that has to change today. She was the first of Victoria's team. She has come a very long way. And today she had a chance to become the first champion in their team. Today she had a chance to realize not only her own dream, but also the dream of Victoria and Margarita. Karen took a deep breath. Everything was in her hands. And she wasn't going to miss it.

When the referee invited the wrestlers to the center, the Hawk Moth pushed off from her corner and began to walk forward with a calm step. She wasn't going to deny that she felt responsible on her shoulders. But she had seen too much in her life. And so there was no fear in her heart right now. She went through a lot of matches, including a tough PPV match and a match against a man who was almost one and a half times bigger than her. She knew what she was capable of. And so there was only one thing left for her to do now. To show all her skills and become the new Rising Star.

After listening to the referee's briefing, Karen nodded affirmatively. When she first got into the ring, some expected her to be not the most honest actions because of her reputation, because she was once one of the best street fighters in Tokyo. But the fact remained. She never broke the established rules. And even during her hardcore matches, she didn't stoop to dirty tricks, unlike her rivals. Besides, she was trained by Charlotte. And this great woman instilled in her some principles that are inherent only to real fighters. Karen wasn't going to break the rules today, she wasn't that kind of person.

And then Amber held out her hand. The American girl looked straight into the eyes of the Japanese girl. And not a single word was said. Karen blinked slowly and lifted her head slightly. She well understood the situation. Assumptions were useless here, everything was very clear. Amber wanted to win, she wanted to become a new champion. And there was nothing to hide here, Karen wanted exactly the same thing. But in a match there is always a winner and in a match there is always a loser. One of them will leave this arena with the golden belt and the right to call herself a champion. And the other one... well. Karen extended her right hand forward, accepting the handshake.

And then the moment came. The referee stepped aside and stretched out her hand between the ropes. And when she approached the wrestlers again, Karen smiled faintly. The striped shirt raised her hand above her head and in those hands was the belt. The referee demonstrated in all its glory what was at stake today. The symbol of the Rising Star. This belt was not as massive as all the other belts of the federation. But that wasn't the main thing. The main thing was that this belt had its own history. And Karen was going to make the history of this belt richer, she knew she was capable of it. Today she was determined as never before. When the screams of the audience subsided a little, the referee gave the belt and now it was waiting for the new owner on the commentators' table. The referee asked the wrestlers to get ready.

After looking into her rival's eyes once again, the Hawk Moth took a few steps back, creating a space between them. Karen clenched her right fist and raised it to the level of the chin. Contrary to her usual stance, she didn't clench her left fist. Instead, she left her palm half-bent, also raising it to the level of her chin, but slightly pushing it forward. The Japanese girl moved her right leg a step back and slightly turned her left side to her opponent. She took a deep breath and nodded to the referee, letting her know that she was ready. And she was really ready. Having gone through a lot of difficulties, having rediscovered herself again thanks to all her matches, she was ready to prove to everyone that she was worthy of being the next Rising Star. Now all that remained was to hear the bell ring.

The greeting stage was over. And everything went without incident. However, there was nothing surprising in this. No one expected a dirty game today. It was one of those things that intrigued the audience. Karen knew perfectly well that they loved pure wrestling. She saw how the audience reacted when her former master, Charlotte, challenged Belinda Northman to a match. Everyone knew that they both were noble fighters and that this would be a really clean match in which only skill, and not something else, would decide everything. And now everyone who was in the arena was sure that it would be the same honest and unbiased match.

Even when the Hawk Moth took a fighting stance, she was still thinking about the belt that the referee just demonstrated to them. Victoria has already offered her several times to try her hand at a title match. But Karen refused. Even for her mother, it was strange, because many people dream of being at least a little involved in such a grand event. But Karen had her own moral code. Not as strict as Charlotte's, but, nevertheless, the Japanese girl had her own principles and she was not going to give them up.

She believed that in order to become a champion there must be a worthy reason. During the time she spent in AFW, she managed to see a lot, including a complete disregard for the title of champion. She could list at least four wrestlers who owned gold belts, but at the same time for a year, and sometimes more, did absolutely nothing with it. What did it give someone? Did the audience get spectacular matches? No. Did other wrestlers get a chance to become champions? No. Has the title history become richer? No. It just allowed someone to call themselves a champion, no more, no less. Karen refused title matches because she felt like she wasn't the one whom the audience deserved.

But now it was different. She had the love and support of the audience. And she was motivated. Astrid and Charlotte have already received their attempts to become champions. And they failed. And now it's her turn. Now she was ready to become a champion. For the sake of the audience. For the sake of their team. And for her own self. She had always wanted this, but now she had a reason to achieve it. The Hawk Moth took another deep breath, pushing all thoughts away. There's only one thing she should be thinking about right now. To defeat Amber Addison and become the new Rising Star.

Ding-Ding-Ding.

Along with the loud ringing of the bell, the arena was filled with the screams of the audience. It was an extraordinary atmosphere. Karen felt something similar the day she defeated Aphrodite during the PPV. But, of course, that moment couldn't be compared to what was happening right now. There were a lot more spectators here, and there was a lot more at stake than the right to call herself the Horsewoman of the Apocalypse. And the Japanese girl was ready. Gathering her thoughts, she took the first step forward.

Her opponent was definitely not going to rush. Instead of launching an attack, she chose to start circling around the Hawk Moth. It was clear that she was hoping that Karen would make a mistake in the first attack. And it was even more clear that the Japanese girl has only two options. Either attack, or also take her time and continue to wait for her opponent to make the first move. However, Karen's choice was obvious. With a flash of her eyes, she rushed forward. She wasn't going to wait for good weather on the coast. And if the American girl was going to test her attacking skills, then so be it.

At each step, Karen began to shift slightly to the left, then to the right. Of course, it was a basic boxing technique, and from the outside it could look simple. But she knew that nothing is simple during a fight. And even that could be enough to defocus the opponent's attention. And in order to distract the American girl even more, the Hawk Moth changed the position of her hands, she did not want Amber to guess how and from where the first blow would come to her.

"You said that one day Margarita will surpass me," Karen thought, mentally turning to Charlotte, "but until then I am your best student!"

Karen moved quickly, but evenly. And only at the moment when she had to take the last step before invading her opponent's space, she accelerated sharply. Sometimes a sudden change in behavior in an opponent's movements can become a much heavier thing than a blow to the head. And that's how Karen wanted to catch Amber off guard. At the same moment, her half-bent left palm completely clenched into fist.

And this fist went straight to the chin of the American girl. A simple but extremely fast left jab. It wasn't a hard punch, Karen was well aware of that. And she wasn't going to use it to cause real harm to her rival. She was going to use it to shift Amber's defense. Because in this case, she would have received an excellent opportunity to take a diagonal step forward and to the right in order to be on the side of her opponent. If Amber had really shifted her defense, then it would have been possible for Karen to swing her right hand, sending a right cross into the brown-haired girl's left cheek. Boxing was her main weapon, but she wasn't just a boxer. And she was going to confirm this by completing her combo with a left roundhouse kick right into Amber's midsection!

Anyone who says they don't feel responsible at important moments in their lives is most likely lying. Karen wasn't going to deny that she felt pressure on her shoulders right now. She was the one who started it all. She was the first to come to AFW and it was for her sake that Victoria became a manager. Only after that, the Englishwoman gathered one of the best teams with the strongest girls and women. She was the first and now she had to prove that she had the right to become the first champion in their team.

But even feeling all this responsibility, The Hawk Moth wasn't going to give up on what kind of person she was. Entering the ring, she never felt fear. Doubts were alien to her. Every time she was inside the four ropes, she clearly knew why she was here. She was strong and talented and she always gave more than one hundred percent in order to keep going forward. And even though it was the most important match of her life, it could not instill doubt in her heart.

This was especially evident at the moment when she rushed into the attack. Perhaps someone who saw Karen for the first time could say that these are nothing more than rash actions showing her impatience. But those who followed her from the first day knew for sure that the Japanese girl never acts recklessly. She really knew how to act straightforwardly when necessary, but this was not the case.

The Hawk Moth's left fist didn't find its target, Amber dodged that quick punch. But at the same time, she gave Karen the opportunity to move to the area where the American girl would not be able to protect herself. Karen took a breath, and then her right fist smashed into her opponent's cheek. Amber's defense faltered and Karen completed the combination with the hard kick in the abdomen of her opponent.

Despite the fact that the arena was filled with the cheers of the audience, the Japanese girl was able to hear the air leave Amber's lungs. Her opponent staggered and took a few steps back. But Karen wasn't going to just look at it. As soon as her left foot landed on the mat, she rushed forward. Having gained the pace, she wasn't going to slow things down, especially considering she had the advantage.

The Hawk Moth's stance changed slightly. Both fists were clenched and this time her left fist was near her head. A tough attacking stance in order to be able to deliver heavy punches. There was a flash in her light green eyes. One more step and she will again be able to send a heavy punch to the head or torso of her opponent.

But when she took that step, Karen's speed changed again. The girl sped up and ducked slightly. Instead of sending a punch or two to Amber, she was going to close the distance as much as possible, literally pressing her body against the body of the American girl. But, of course, that wasn't what she needed. The Hawk Moth was going to wrap her opponent's right thigh with her left hand, as well as Amber's waist with her right hand. Using her strength, Karen was going to lift Amber over the mat, and then use her weight and the force of gravity to drive the American girl's body into the mat with the help of a spinebuster!

The long years that Karen had spent on the street had hardened her. Betrayed by the dearest person, as well as almost completely deprived of her father's attention, she was forced to seek support in the only place where she was not abandoned. Endless street fights in order to feel less alone. At some point, it seemed to her that life began to improve, but then fate brought her another blow.

This brought her to the brink of despair. Only Victoria, who took care of her from the age of six, helped her to re-embark on the right path. Although it was pointless to deny it, even when the Hawk Moth came to AFW, her business was not going very well. Because of everything she's been through, she's forgotten why she's fighting at all. She began to believe that she was only doing it because it was the only thing she could do well.

But then things started to change. After two matches with Lily, she ran into the girl aliased the Black Fang. It was in that match that she remembered why she loved fighting so much. Not because it's the only thing she can do well, and definitely not for the money. The Hawk Moth fights because she loves that feeling. The adrenaline filling her blood during a fight is one of the best sensations imaginable. During the matches, she felt passion. She really loved what she was doing from the bottom of her heart. And that's why she aspired to the top. That's why she was going to be the best.

Today was her chance and she wasn't going to miss it. Instead of slowing down the pace of the match, she wanted to increase it. Bursting into her opponent's space, Karen grabbed her and then lifted her over the mat. Using her own weight and gravity, the Japanese girl sent Amber's body down. The loud sound of the fall filled the arena, although the shouts of the enthusiastic spectators drowned it out.

The advantage was definitely on her side. But it was worth paying tribute to her rival. It seemed that after such not a light throw, Amber should have been pressed to the mat, because Karen was on top. However, despite this, the American girl almost immediately began to move, starting to roll to the side. Karen's left eyebrow lifted slightly. It looks like this girl had some stamina.

"Impressive..." thought the Hawk Moth.

Karen understood that if she got to her feet, it would give her opponent the opportunity to do the same. Missing out on the advantage she got was not what the Japanese girl wanted, so she decided to act. Instead of getting to her feet and slowing down, she intended to throw both hands forward in order to grab Amber's ankle, thereby preventing her from taking a long distance.

The arsenal of her submission holds was relatively limited, as the Hawk Moth preferred a different style. However, she had a few moves in reserve, which she knew how to use. And now there was one of those cases. The Japanese girl was going to throw both legs forward and use them to wrap her opponent's leg. Karen was going to fix Amber's foot behind her armpit, and then lean back in order to start putting pressure on the muscles and the knee joint. A simple but still painful and effective kneebar!