Summer Splash 2020: Natasha Loclear vs Chloe Mason: Falls Count Anywhere Match

As Chloe stood up and dusted herself off, she realised that she had gotten off easy when it came to the shoulder barge. More could have been done, and the ex-commissioner was taking a chance by keeping that foot dug deep into Natasha’s stomach. Tempting fate, it could have backfired horribly on her. But the blonde simply got off with a slap of the wrist. Not that she minded of course. She just turned out to be lucky that Natasha wasn’t so creative at that moment besides bumping her body on her. Not in a sexual way, of course.

“And here I thought you began when the bell rang.” She said as she returned the grin. “Or were you going easy on me?” A terrifying thought if that was the case, but Chloe knew better. Much as they were sharing such banter, Natasha was free from the pressure of Chloe’s offence. But as Natasha was getting a break, so was Chloe. The throbbing pain around her back was still in the back of her mind. But that is par for the course. It was to be expected from facing a woman of her calibre. Rolling her shoulders, she settled into her stance as the Frenchwoman moved out of the corner where she was just pinned. Her right leg slid back as Natasha approached, tensing up, prepared to react. “Indeed.” A simple answer was given. Nothing long-winded, no time to waste.

And again, Natasha was all over Chloe as she closed the distance between them. The approach was akin to a serene calmness before the fists flew at each other and the storm rages on. The bluenette’s hands jabbed at Chloe, the blonde opting to take them on her arms. Those shots seemed playful at best, while the snap kick was anything but. Chloe grunted from gritted teeth, far from the most devastating of Natasha’s strikes, but it still stung like hell. The ex-commissioner wouldn’t have the chance to immediately retaliate as Natasha stepped out of range, only for her to step in again. Her eyes widened in shock at the incoming clothesline. But rather than to be a deer in headlights, the blonde fell to her back on her own accord. The only difference is that Chloe attempted a kip-up as that arm sails past her before coming up to her feet. Those feet wouldn’t stay on the ground for long as she attempted a Pele kick for her rebuttal.

Natasha chose not to answer the woman's question about whether she was taking it easy on her or not, figuring it would be more fun to let her work through that one herself, not to mention the edge it could give her. Doubt was a dangerous thing in any fight and if Chloe started second guessing just how much more Natasha had left to throw her way then she'd make mistakes, mistakes she could exploit. The truth was complicated of course, so far she had been focused on feeling out Chloe to get a handle on how she fought, not going easy on her by any means but neither was she going all in on any of her attacks so far. The longer their match went on however, the better her measure of the woman would get, and the bigger the risks she would be willing to take. Although if initial impressions were anything to go by Chloe was likely doing the same to her, meaning putting her away early might be the best bet.

In her pursuit of this goal Natasha engaged Chloe with a flurry of blows to keep her on the back foot, but not just that as she wanted to get Chloe second guessing herself. A swift retreat was followed by an even quicker lunge back in with her arm swinging for the blonde's neck, the look of shock in her eyes exactly what she had been hoping for. But Chloe was fast herself and decided dropping onto her back was better than taking her clothesline head on, giving Natasha a kick to the back of her head as a reward for her efforts. It was a glancing blow but it did send her stumbling forward a few more steps than she had intended, the blunette pivoting on her back foot as soon as she had brought herself to a stop, swinging her right leg up in the same motion to get her foot up past her head in an incredible display of flexibility!

"Not bad." She remarked casually before bringing her foot crashing downwards for a heavy stomp onto the other woman's stomach, fully intent on giving her a few reasons to stay flat on her back. Those being a throbbing pain in her midsection and a desperate need forair after she drove it from the woman's lungs.

Time to rethink. Time to reassess. It wasn’t so rare that Chloe herself ran into actual challenges, but few in AFW could work on her own level at times. Chloe had little doubt if none at all that Natasha wasn’t holding back. The attacks were on point, her movements were graceful, and the impact was nothing to be scoffed at. Evident by the very first palm strike that struck Chloe. Natasha definitely had the goods. And she knew how to best use them too, leaving little time to recover at points. So when the blonde didn’t get the answer to her question, she didn’t mind. It was a silly question and would have gotten a dumb response in return. If the bluenette is serious in proving her worth in other divisions, holding back would be the last thing she would do. Not just for her campaign, but for her own health. Because Chloe had no qualms taking her apart and get her fill. The more they fought, the more that nagging feeling told her one thing. Put her down as quickly as possible. As much as she’d love to enjoy the thrill of duking it out with Natasha, it was a double-edged sword. She needed not to be reminded the last time that happened…

No matter, for now, it is time to battle. Again, Natasha never missed a beat, closing the distance in and peppering her with strikes. After Natasha busting out wrestling manoeuvres, there wasn’t anything that could surprise Chloe. At least, so she thinks. Time will tell, of course. Chloe was going off reflexes, but it was enough to prevent the worst that is the clothesline. The ex-commissioner dedicated herself to falling back, preferably doing so at her own accord. But it wouldn’t last long as she came back up again, recovering fast enough with the kip-up to match Natasha’s speed. Her leg cut a magnificent arc, her instep struck with what would have been a devastating blow: a glancing shot, but nevertheless rewarding Chloe with a sweet smack of succulent flesh.

That’s not to say Chloe wasn’t content with wasting precious seconds on the floor after the Pele Kick. She wasn’t keen to remain a sitting duck where she could get up quickly and capitalize. Though that’s to say that Natasha was still reeling from that blow. Whereas soon as she looked up, with Natasha’s leg raised up towards the heavens above, that was clearly not the case. Chloe had since missed the moment Natasha swung her foot up, but that key pose was enough to tell her what was going to happen. She knew all too well. From the flawless pivot, the perfect balance, the extension that only came from years upon years of rigorous training. It was all there with Natasha. The worst thing was that there wasn’t anything she can do to stop what was coming next.

Natasha’s was far from bare like Chloe’s but her foot would slam itself onto Chloe’s stomach. Ruby lips parted as the loud gasp, and precious oxygen escaped her throat. Like a hammer striking down a nail, Chloe was caught between the axe kick and the canvas below them. “…Not bad…” The blonde replied with the same two words that Natasha uttered. The once parted lips would soon curl into a smile, chuckling in between ragged breaths. She can’t be angry at that. Natasha got her good. One hand grabbed onto the ankle of the attacking foot, gritting her teeth hard. As the saying goes, ‘An eye for an eye’. And Chloe opted to raise her left leg and shoot a kick towards Natasha’s own stomach. If only to impede whatever deviant plans the bluenette has while she’s down.

A match was all about the ebb and flow of the action and with all her time spent inside the squared circle Natasha had become quite adept at reading this flow. Each time she struck Chloe had been quick to return the favor with similar strikes of her own so now after bringing her foot slamming down onto the woman's midsection the blunette knew to expect a swift answer for her violence. She took a guess and brought her hands down in front of her stomach, catching the foot that was indeed sent her way with praise worthy speed given Chloe was still flat on her back, enough speed in fact that she couldn't slow it down completely and still grimmaced as the kick shoved itself into her abs. Natasha had taken some bite out of the kick but not all of it, yet rather than back away she grit her teeth and managed a smile despite the pain.

"Thanks for noticing." With one leg already in her grasp Natasha decided to press her luck and make a grab for the other one, looking to gain control over her quick opponent now that she was stuck in place. All Natasha needed was to pull both of Chloe's ankles under her armpits and wrap her arms around them, pulling the blonde almost completely vertical before fighting to turn her over for a boston crab.

A constant back and forth that brought seemingly little fruit. While nothing big would bring either woman down to really take advantage of the situation, it would be a gradual effect. Taking small steps that would eventually bear fruit. Chloe had gotten used to this song and dance with the ebb and flow of how things were going. No matter what action one takes, swift justice would be delivered in a short time. Besides, it would have been unbecoming if Chloe was simply to lie there for Natasha. Especially without leaving another nice footprint on those taut abs.

However, Natasha has caught on to this quickly. A break from the constant cycle, not wishing to go around again, caused Chloe to get caught in something unexpected. Her guard was admittedly down for a brief moment once the kick drilled into Natasha’s abs. But it didn’t stun her enough to let go of the foot that pressed upon the stomach. Natasha was tough, as expected for someone who was a two-time champion.

Time is precious, and there is very little a combatant has during such fast-paced action. Such moments in battle can decide the contest and Chloe remained on the ball so far. Soon as the other one was grabbed, Natasha having to press her luck to hold the other, Chloe would tuck her knees together and bring them close enough to her stomach so that she could buck the bluenette off some distance.