Emily Nelson vs Natasha Han

"We Don't Need Another Hero" by the Northern Kings began to play on the speakers as one of AFW's many newcomers entered the arena. Clad in a tight-fitting pink one-piece with a laced-up front, as well as matching gloves, boots and pads, Emily Nelson struck an impressive and alluring figure while looking every bit like a pro wrestler at the same time. A lot of the crowd (especially former Wrestle Angels fans) cheered, but Emily ignored them, her expression calm and focused as she made her way to the ring. Inwardly, though, she was enjoying this experience. She was back in the ring, and she was loving every minute of it.

Rolling under the ropes, Emily hopped up to her feet, brushing her faded pink hair aside as she watched the ramp, quietly waiting for her opponent to arrive. The lady running AFW-- a Miss Cassandra Sellers-- had told Emily that she'd be facing a pretty tough competitor, a ring veteran like herself. Sellers had talked to her as though she were a rookie on her first outing, and her tone had caused Emily to give her some pretty angry rebukes. If she was honest with herself, though, Emily was grateful-- the fact that Sellers was pitting her against a pro meant that she was being taken seriously.

She took a step back, looking almost like a patient predator as she watched the entrance ramp. Come out, come out, whoever you are, she thought to herself.

Emily wouldn't have to wait long. Soon her entrance music would fade, and another piece of music would start up, as Natasha Han made her entrance. She wore a soft smile on her face, eager for another match as she appeared atop the entrance ramp. She paused for a moment, cocking her hands on her hips, posing for the crowd as her fans cheered for her. She then began her way down the ramp towards the ring, but then....she paused again, blinking almost in confusion.

The woman in the ring looked quite familar to her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, not at this distance at least, but something told her that she had met this woman before. Curiouser than ever, Natasha hastened her entrance down the ramp, slipping onto the apron and under the ropes, quickly hopping to her feet and giving the woman another glance, a closer inspection, trying to put her finger on her identity.

Emily blinked in surprise. She...knew this woman from somewere. She couldn't remember if she'd actually faced her before or not, but she definitely had a familiar face and outfit-- the woman's short blonde hair, in particular, jolted her memory somehow. As the other woman hastened her way to the ramp, Emily realized it was more than just her appearance that was familiar: something about the woman's quiet, confident demeanour also rang a bell, , as though she'd seen her in action before.

As the blonde-haired woman slid through the ropes, Emily suddenly realized why this lass looked so familiar-- that she hadn't just seen her in action before, she'd actually fought this lass once! The woman was none other than the Russian grappler Natasha Han, one of the top fighters from the Wrestle Angels league. Emily tensed involuntarily. Natasha Han had been a force to contend with in Wrestle Angels. Or, at least, so she'd heard-- the one match she'd had against her, as part of a tag with Sophie Sierra against Han and the Joker Lady, hadn't been very illuminating. She and Natasha had traded a few blows for less than three minutes, and would have also traded holds if the Joker Lady hadn't come in and blindsided Emily with a steel chair, KOing her. From what she'd heard, Natasha had gone on to win the match against Sierra, although unlike her partner, she had done so without any dirty tricks. Though the loss had stung, Emily contented herself with the knowledge that only one of her opponents had been a cheater.

And now Natasha Han was here, about to face her in a one-on-one match. She shouldn't have been surprised, Emily thought to herself. She'd heard that a few former Wrestle Angels stars had crossed over to AFW-- apparently that schoolgirl lass Chigusa Yuuki was here, as was Megumi Mutoh. She'd even heard something about that silly Bunny Bomber girl being here, but that needed seeing to be believed. But Natasha was a different category altogether. Han, from what Emily knew, was a pretty intense mat wrestler, with a reputation for making her opponents tap out. Emily had heard that Natasha had even fought a pretty rigorous, even-sided match against the so-called "Venus of Submissions," Minami Toshimi. She had no idea who had won that match, but given that Emily herself had lost pretty badly to Minami, Natasha fighting her evenly was a pretty mean feat in its own right.

She clenched and unclenched her hands involuntarily. Calm down, girl, she told herself. You can take her.

As Natasha climbed into the ring, Emily gave her a smile. "Natasha Han," she said aloud. "They said I'd be fighting a pro like meself. I guess I shouldna be surprised that they'd send anooer Wrestle Angel in agenst me."

The realization hit Natasha at about the same time it did Emily. This was Emily Nelson, one of the former Wrestle Angels alongside her. She had fought her before, but truth be told, she was never pleased with the outcome of that match. Her partner, who she had never teamed up with before that point, had used a cheap shot to take Emily out of the match. Natasha herself was considered to be a quite honorable wrestler, never stooping to levels that low, and seeing her partner doing so had left a nasty taste in her mouth.

Nevertheless, it seemed that fate was giving her a chance to settle things with Emily in a real match. She looked her over from head to toe, inspecting her strong, alluring body with a smile of approval, before glancing up to stare into her eyes. She flashed her a quick smile, giving her a nod and a reply.

"Emily Nelson...it has been quite some time, ya?"

"Aye. Never thought the day would come when Wrestle Angels felt like ancient hist'ry," Emily said, noticing that Natasha was giving her a look-over. "I ne'er had a chance to see how good ye really were, one-on-one." Smiling, Emily stepped forward, extending her hand for a pre-match handshake. "Looks like now I'll be getting my chance."

Natasha returned her smile, stepping towards her and extending her own hand. She took Emily's in her own, giving her a firm handshake, never breaking her gaze from her eyes.

"It is a chance I am grateful for," she said, starting to grin. "But do not think I will be going easy on you, ya?"

She then released the handshake, stepping back towards her own corner as she waited for the bell to ring to begin the match.

"Wouldn't dream of it, luv," Emily replied, before retreating to her corner. She didn't have to wait long for the match to begin-- the bell quickly rang, and Emily moved briskly towards the centre of the ring, eying Natasha warily, arms raised tentatively for a lockup. She didn't expect an actual lockup, though, and was ready for anything else Natasha might pull.

Natasha was feeling quite eager for this match to begin. She really wanted to see how much Emily had improved since the last time they had met, however short that meeting had been.

It was leading her to feel a bit more aggressive than usual. Therefore, as the bell rang and Natasha moved in to meet Emily, she would suddenly lunge at her, trying to throw her arms quick and tight around her body, trying to pull the Scotswoman close to herself.

If Natasha could surprise Emily and pull this off, she would flash her another confident smile and try to lift her right off her feet, trying to lift her over and plant her into the match for a surprising, early suplex!

Emily saw Natasha running right at her, and ran up to meet her.She was not, however, as easily surprised as Natasha had been hoping: the moment she saw the Russian moving at her for a grab, she'd duck low as she ran against Natasha, raising her leg for a sharp knee into the other girl's midsection.

The knee connected nicely, Natasha stopping dead in her tracks.

"Oof!" Natasha cried, doubling part of the way over, grabbing her gut with one hand.