The Wild Card vs. Cryska Barchenowa

Kira grit her teeth, working the hold as tightly as she could manage. This tactic served a dual purpose: not only putting pain on Cryska, making her strength tougher to use, but also giving her a moment to get back in the game after that powerful hit. It was the desperate, but dangerous ploy of the cornered, but not defeated, cobra. Submissions were not Kira's strongest suite, but she was sure she could gain some great ground against the powerful Russian if she could just hold one.

The steely look the two combatants exchanged convinced the Wild Card that Cryska was no more ready to give than Kira was. Kira aimed to convince her otherwise, pouring all her strength into the hold, while, at the same time, expecting Cryska to power out of the hold. If she aimed to lift Kira off the mat, Kira was ready to strike back, but the Russian wolf's counter-attack came in a different way. She struck, another of those powerful punches, right into Kira's ribs. "Kff!" Kira huffed in pain, her grip on Cryska's arm weakening just enough. If Cryska did not take immediate advantage, Kira would decide not to hang around in the hold anyway, releasing Cryska's arm and trying to shove her away with her legs while rolling back to her knees in a swift motion.

This time her fist could not be halted by her opponent's dreadful speed, her planned strike was successful, her fist rammed right into her opponent's side, knuckles crashing against the skin and making another indirect contact against Kira's ribcage. If that would not be enough to relinquish the hold, she would have to charge up another one to send at that very same spot, however it was not needed. Cryska could tell that her punch was enough to alter the strength that was directed to the armbar and soon enough, that strength was resolving in it. With a renewed effort, Cryska now directed her own focus on something else. The armbar was loosened enough to come out of it with sheer strength, her arm tensed up again and with a mighty pull, freed not only her hand but her arm as well. The submission had still lasted longer then Cryska had hoped for and it did it's damage, though it was luckily not her main arm she punched with. She got off with minimal damage she expected from such submission holds, but it seemed that Kira was still ready to fight, her punch had only solved to weaken the hold, not her opponent. It didn't matter that much to Cryska, she always did feel more about fighting tough opponents and the entire goal of that punch was to achieve the freedom of her arm.

Like Cryska had just showed her strength to break this hold, so did Wild Card's speed show that she had the ability to create the distance between the two. Once again, her impressive opponent broke off a future momentum that could have turned this battle to Cryska's favor yet still the Russian lacked the emotions to care. Momentous were seized when her opponent was at her weakest, not when she was still very much willing to fight. Cryska had spend a little too much time on one knee, to the point where it seemed to bother her more then the pain in her arm. She began to raise herself up, her kneeled leg shifted with her and planted it's foot upon the mat, now standing up straight to face her kneeled opponent. Her eyes moved away from her opponent and instead gazed at her arm, her fingers curling up against her palm and created a tight, tensed fist. She did it to examine the pain that could increase when her arm would tense up and it seemed to do the trick. The pain was definitely there and it wasn't planning on going anywhere for the time being. It still did not matter to Cryska, she could still punch with it, she could still fight without a handicapped condition. Her eyes went back to her opponent, bringing the arm that had suffered from the armbar in front of her and clenched it again, to show her opponent what she was going to use on her next and that the submission hold was not enough to keep it down. One thing about adrenaline was that it helped ignore the pain enough to keep fighting, that was Cryska was now going for, to use an injured arm to her advantage that would later lead to just more pain, but Cryska usually wasn't bothered with such things.

She tilted her head to each side, as if working the cracks out of it and loosening it up to once again take a offensive stance. Even though her opponent was on her knees, she would not allow her to raise back up and once again use that speed to her advantage. Her body lowered, almost into a crouch formation, like one would have themselves set just before they would take a dash forward. Cryska targeted her opponent, taking a new spot to strike at, she took in the options of offense, defense and the ability for Kira to counter them. This cobra was still fresh in the game, it's bite was just as dangerous as the constriction she could put in, and that's when Cryska realized what she could do. So far, Kira has struck only with her legs, not with her arms, she wanted to see just how much power they can process if she could only use those, not only that, the attack she had in mind could further damage her opponent's right rib cage she had struck so effectively. Suddenly, a smirk took place on Cryska's lips, a knowing one. So far, she had not considered using one of her different types of arsenal, now it was time to use one. She suddenly rushed towards Kira like a crazed wolf that was giving chase or was ready to pounce at a oblivious victim, she had her eyes set for Kira, and she needed to act before Kira could stand up straight and use that speed of hers again, there was no telling what she could do to counter her when she does.

When Cryska was just a few steps removed from her opponent, which made it look like she was going to crash into her, or even run her through with her body, she went for a different angle. Her arms moved at her sides and suddenly swooped forward like the claws of a praying mantis. Her goal was not to send two punches simultaneously to her opponent's side, both hands were unclenched, she tried to get her arms around Kira's body, around her torso as she came in close, looking to hug Kira against her just when she was about to crash into her. Her plan was to use a submission hold of her own, one where Russians were usually known for, to use her strength to it's fullest. She aimed for a bear hug, a powerful one at that, she wanted to knock Kira off her legs while she moved into her, her arms to catch her opponent if she would go unbalance and then lift her straight up off her feet when Cryska came to a full stop, to stand up straight and pour all her power in the submission hold she would have on Kira. Each step to her opponent was as crucial as the submission itself, it took timing and careful precision, feinting a melee attack for her true attack, all she really hoped for was that Kira's speed could not get in the way of her attack, that was the real problem in this fight, time and time again Kira had proven to be agile, that agility posed a threat towards Cryska's strength and the accuracy of her hits. Striking at a persons weakness as too obvious, striking at the source of her opponent's ability as well, she had to go for alternate targets that could break it's main source, that was Cryska's real plan.

It was becoming apparent even to Kira's overlarge ego that Cryska was no brute. She was powerful, but delivered her strength with a surgeon's precision. Kira had turned the tables on a great many "stronger" foes with similar submission holds, but Cryska was not so easily taken.

With grit teeth and calm, controlled breaths, then Wild Card returned the Russian's gaze with equal intensity. They steeled themselves, recovering from their separate wounds, readying the next salvo of attacks. She cocked her shoulders from side to side; the jolt of pain confirmed she still had feeling everywhere she needed it. In fact, Kira hurt all over, but that just signified a good day for the Wild Card. Her adrenalin still ran high. Pfft, a few bruises so far. She's done nothing to me. I'll cut her down to size.

With surprising speed, Cryska launched forward. Kira braced herself, seeking to intercept the Russian, but she came in hard and fast. Kira tried to sway to avoid a charging strike but instead found herself snared in the Russian's powerful grasp. Lifted easily off the floor, Kira sputtered. "Gaah! Augh!" She grimaced in pain as Cryska's powerful embrace threatened to crush her. Her arms squeezed tightly, cutting off air and threatening serious damage. The last punch Cryska landed felt like a knife wound now with Cryska's arms squeezing it. The Wild Card sputtered in pain, "Khh!" Kira's legs dangled uselessly beneath Cryska and above the floor and Kira found herself at the mercy of Cryska's considerable might. As painful as the hold was, it hurt twice as much to breathe in Cryska's embrace. The Wild Card snarled, clenching her fists, she fought to focus on Cryska with a defiant glare. She could still fight back, and fight she did. Folding her arms in, she would strike at Cryska's her with her elbow, alternating arms after each strike, a second's pause between each to match the labored rate of her breathing while in the crushing hold. If Cryska did not let her go, she was going to pound her senseless, at least as long as she could.

She had her prey in her arms, she had the girl lifted straight off her feet and now Cryska showed her true dominance. The bearhug was a gruesome hold to be in if the initiator was powerful and unfortunately for Kira, Cryska had such tremendous power that she could break her opponent if she would stay in this hold without any plan to make her release or even weaken it. Cryska's eyes were not directed upwards her opponent. She just kept a dull stare forward at her opponent's chest while she was applying squeeze after squeeze. It looked like she was toying with her opponent with the way she was rhythmically squeezing her as if she was taking her time to pick this girl apart. Now, Cryska acquired more advantage then she had in her previous attacks. Kira didn't have the ground to use her speed on, she couldn't seem to escape from this bearhug as Cryska applied a tightening squeeze upon her. It was as if this cobra was now constricted between the teeth of the wolf, who was biting at her opponent's right rib cage with each powerful burst of strength she gave. She knew that this wasn't the end, that she shouldn't be buying time, but she was using this to test her opponent out as well, what she would do if she couldn't use her legs. Well, basically she could use her legs to slap in a waist scissors, though she doubted it could match the power of her arm as she bore into the girl like a crusher, with the aim to break her opponent in two, should Kira not think about submitting.

Fortunately for both of them, it seemed that the Wild Card still had some tricks up her sleeve, and they came in the form of elbows that hammered down straight to the top of her head. She lowered her head as if wanting to make sure she wouldn't get hit in the face, though this was annoying enough and in time, was working against her. Since she tensed her entire body up with each squeeze, it felt like her head was pounding along with it, in a rather painful manner then she wanted to. She had a thick, strong skull that could endure a lot of punishment, but repeated ones that did not cease their assault on it, would not make Cryska feel comfortable, not that it was meant to be. Cryska finally showed some emotion, in the form of her gritting her teeth together, wanting to keep this bearhug linger a little longer, she knew she was forced to release Kira very soon so instead of just releasing her, she punished the cobra as it was busy striking at her head, constricting the girl's waist as tight as she could in an effort to really hurt her this time. Thought it only lasted a few seconds, Cryska was sure that she would have at least worn Kira's body down a few notches with those timed constrictions and with more effort then she wanted to use, she twisted her body to the side and literally threw Kira to the side and towards the opposite side of the ring, which would also leave Cryska stumbling a bit, clutching the top of her head with one hand while the other arm remained in front of her to keep a certain amount of defense in front of her, she could not afford Kira to suddenly start attacking through a adrenaline rush, such moments were crucial in a match, that could decide the victor rather easily.

Luckily, she wasn't bleeding. It was something she rather avoided when it came to her head, since it would often lead to light headedness and even a knock out if left unchecked. It still stung a lot, it was something Cryska would have to deal with just to keep her head in the game and keep Kira down, whom had surely taken her own amount of punish from Cryska's bearhug. Cryska shook her head from side to side, she had to keep her vision and focus in total control, she could not allow Kira to get the upper hand on her when she was the one displaying the better amount of strength between them, but this cobra was fiercer then she thought she would be, those arms had suddenly power in them, she had felt it firsthand. So it seemed that this opponent was truly ripe for battle, and that only roused Cryska to keep it serious, otherwise she would be the one on the floor instead of Kira. She gripped her head gently, applying a small amount of pressure so she could increase the outcome of the pain for a short amount of time, making it close to the point where she would have to flinch until she'd let her arm drop, that would numb the pain for a few good seconds, long enough for her to send in another attack and keep this girl down on the floor. Her eyes diverted back to Kira and rushed to her again, like a raging bullet that did not had enough damage to have it stopped.

She wasn't going to use her fists this time, they had done enough damage with her punches and bearhug, they needed a short amount of rest so she could use them to their fullest potential again. Well, one of them after that armbar that had taken a good portion of strength from her left arm. She rushed towards Kira, closing the distance again and sought out her opponent's face as her target again, the very first punch of the match had done some damage to it, now it was time to bring that back and intensify it. Cryska was feeling a light headache taking over, who was she not to return the favor to this girl. The Wild Card. This girl was really much like a cobra. Constricting, Biting, slithering amount with tremendous speed, she had to be bitten down until it could no longer strike at her, venomous or not. She wasn't going to lose her first match here, it would not only make her start off with a loss, but also ruining her entire reputation back in her home land, she could not allow that to happen, no matter how fast and powerful her opponent was, Cryska would rise above and it and show her opponent as well as every other wrestler that was watching this match, even the crowd, that Cryska was no joke, that her physical and mental skills could co-exist and create a style that sought perfection, power, accuracy and strategies, it was one of Cryska's prized elements, not to use her strength just for forward strikes, but for tactical ones. Just when she was about to run into Wild Card again, she would raise her knee up and tried to slam it straight into Kira's face, which would leave the Russian out of balance but she would latch on the ropes for support, so she would fall or come to a painful halt.

With each torturous squeeze, a shout of pain escaped the Wild Card's lips. "Ggh... Gaaah! Augh!" Kira's body shook, wracked with pain, as Cryska threw all of her might into breaking her opponent. Each elbow blow Kira threw was borne of equal parts desperation and a stubborn will to not let Cryska win. But then, for an instant, it almost seemed like she would. Cryska tore into Kira, crushing her with a might that surprised even Kira. "AHH!" She shrieked, before being tossed from Cryska's grasp. The sudden freedom left Kira feeling weightless, light-headed for a second. She could barely feel her ungraceful impact into the mat, but she forced her body to react. Rolling over, she lifted herself up, exerting a herculean effort to fight through the agony and whip her body into following her commands. "Ngh... haah... haah..." She panted, finally reaching an uneasy stance. Years of thriving in the worlds most hostile regions had left Kira's body quite accustomed to inadequate oxygen, so she was able to recover from the hold faster than most. The pain was still there, though, and no less real. She just... tossed me like a rag doll. Really need a new plan of action here. There's no way this Russian freak is taking down the Wild Card! I just... need a second.

Cryska, however, did not let up. No sooner did the Wild Card reach her feet than did the Russian prepare another attack. She charged forward. For a split second, Kira froze. Inwardly, she screamed at her body to move, to react. The best she managed was to stumble back and fall to the mat. Instinctively, she swung her legs out again, aiming to trip up Cryska in this charge and hopefully use her own might against her.

The difference between strength and speed was well known through this match. Cryska had the strength, that raw ability that many had thought Cryska would miss use like any other power house that lacked the capability to think ahead. Cryska had not only be taught how to fight, but also how to think. A battle isn't simply won through power alone, those with a mind of a strategy could easily outflank that strength with their wits. Cryska used both. She had the ability to overpower her opponent, to dominate them whenever she was able to confront them with it. Intellect was the thing that separated her from most power wrestlers, thinking ahead, picking the options she can take, whether it's for attacking or opponent, defending herself or avoiding damage, she had the mindset to create a layout of choices. Time and time again though, just when Cryska was ready to deliver a more heavier amount of damage, the Wild Card had the speed of a striking cobra. Every time when she was about to take her out, she came in with her speed and countered, she made a quick maneuver that set Cryska back from the numerous follow ups she could have. One momentum after another fell to this swift vixen and there was no telling when the next momentum Cryska would have, would fall. She could have not picked a better opponent herself, someone that can not only keep up with her, but have the speed to outflank her strength if it was not accurately used. It was always a now or never moment against Kira, every counter was met with another counter, every momentum was broken, they were basically equals when it came to the chances and the hits they have given each other, as if retribution came swift after a successful hit.

Now though, she had thrown the Wild Card like a lifeless doll away from her, as if she was done playing with it and no longer wished to see it. Cryska had taken the few moments she had to tend to her own damage. The Wild Card had used her head as her personal drum set and that didn't quite feel good, if it wasn't for those rapid elbow strikes, her bearhug would have been a success and still dealing a tremendous amount of damage. There was always another time though, and that time had quickly ascended, the Russian was ready to strike again, not knowing the word ' quit ' or even taking a longer break that lasted longer then a few seconds. Her hands were clenched again, tight grips upon them and had her eyes sight on the prey, like the eyes of a hawk, locating it's target before swooping down to kill it, so was the look in Cryska's eyes, though her goal was to knock out the Wild Card and claim total superiority over this match, if not even more then she had done now. This match had been going back and forth for too long, either she targeted the center of all of her problems, or at least the source that gave the orders for her problems. It was a hard choice to pick between those legs of Kira's or her head, but she chose the head because she had been focusing that area before, she just needed to increase that damage. Like a weapon send forth towards it's enemy, Cryska rushed towards Kira with a determined glare to finish her, which only narrowed by the sight of Kira actually freezing up and soon falling onto her back once more..

Cryska's original attack was disbanded by that fall, the knee to the face would not ended will if she'd have to time a jump and Kira might use her speed to get away, it would only injure her knee. There were plenty of attacks which were more safe then that and she chose the good old boot to the head, a stomp so hard that Kira would definitely be on the mat for a little while longer. Like a stereo that switched songs, her mind was made up for a new attack, but just when she was about to get close for her assault, Kira would use her position against her again and kicked out accurately enough for Cryska to run right against the meeting low attack and causing the Russian to lose complete balance over herself. She tried to remain on her feet, that had no more control of her position and soon Cryska tumbled down to the mat. She knew this was not going to end well, collapsing against the mat and moved further forward, just barely managing to fall before she would hit the ropes but still landing rather painfully upon her left arm, which had already been damage by an earlier armbar her opponent had snapped on. Cryska's speed had only managed to accelerate her into the fall and making her slide further forward until her upper body went underneath the bottom ropes and hanging over the side of the ring, her right arm had at least taken a hold of the bottom ropes to keep herself from falling completely out of the ring and hitting the concrete floor face first, though now the only part of her body that was still in the ring was her lower body. She tried to pull herself up and back into the ring, though it was very slow since she still felt groggy.

The Wild Card tumbled to the mat and almost had invited an even more devastating attack from Cryska but was fortunate enough to strike at Cryska before the Russian could adjust. She lay there, still panting and rubbing her aching midriff as Cryska tumbled to the mat and slid almost out of the ring. Kira knew she had to act before her body did, and she had to force it into action. This was her best chance yet.

Rolling quickly out of the ring, the Wild Card would catch the bottom rope to lower herself to her feet outside the ring. Still grabbing it for balance, she would step toward Cryska, raising her foot, and aiming to deliver a powerful boot to the head of the Russian before she could escape her predicament.

The referee wouldn't like this, but she wasn't going to disqualify her just for this.

Cryska had taken quite a fall to the mat and almost straight out of the ring had it not been for her swift abort. Still, she was rather clumbsy with trying to pull herself back in the ring, her eyes stared at the concrete mat, that soon became occupied with a pair of feet. She began to look up, following the length of her opponent's legs and then further up until she could stare at the person's face, she had already judging from the outfit that it was her opponent but she hadn't expected her to already be this close to her and ready to attack. Before Cryska could move back or even do something to stop Wild Card, was she hit right in the face by the rather painful boot, causing her entire body to twitch and starting to twitch and tense up, from the feeling, a new injecting of pain that was forced within her head, losing her balance and no longer pulling on the bottom ropes.

Soon enough she began to lower herself and fell out of the ring, landing onto her back and covering her face with one arm to try and keep it protected while her other hand pressed against the concrete floor, knowing that if she'd take a rest or stay in defensive mode, that the Wild Card would surely attack her, which would make it impossible for Cryska to direct herself to a more offensive position in this ongoing match, the last thing she wanted as more boots to the heads or other hits. She pushed against the floor with her hand, slowly trying to pick herself back up on her feet while continueing to keep her arm over her face.

The Wild Card's boot struck the Russian's head with a satisfying smack. Through the pain, Kira's lips curled in a sadistic grin. Still, for all the power, that was not going to keep a woman like Cryska down for long. Still hanging on the lower rope for balance, Kira watching as Cryska slid out of the ring, collapsing on the cold steel floor.

With both of them outside of the ring, the referee began a count that Kira hardly cared about. She hopped back up on the apron, a little less spry than she had before. No, I have to MAKE her stay down! Turning away from Cryska, toward the ring, Kira took a deep breath, let out half of it, and bounded up the ropes. One step on the bottom, the second on the top, and off the top of the third rope she spiraled back, twisting through the air and aiming to land cross body atop Cryska, hoping to deliver a powerful moonsault to the Russian against the unforgiving floor.

Though it would a very effectient attack for anyone that have taken enough damage to do nothing about it, Cryska was still in the match. Those attacks of Wild Card's had hurt her, even the mighty boot to her head had left the Soviet Wolf in a daze, but she was coming too and her eyes were quietly following Kira's ascension towards the ropes. By the behavior of her body, she knew she wasn't planning on getting inside, she would have atleast rolled underneath the bottom ropes to make it easier for herself, so it seemed she was trying to drop back down upon her. Watching her ascend each rope now, she rolled onto her stomach and waited for the perfect chance to strike and when her opponent initiated the moonsault to crash back down upon her, was it time for Cryska to strike.

She waited until Kira's stomach was about to come into view, arching her body and suddenly bringing both feet up and bending them, bringing them up high towards her chest, right at the location where her opponent would drop down upon and had only waited a few more seconds before she would crash into her knees. It still stung though, it was still weight that dropped down hard upon them and it pushed her legs against her body. She catapulted the Wild Card off her body and away, bringing her legs back and slowly tried to rise back up upon her feet. She wanted to get back upon her feet and roll underneath the bottom ropes and back into the mat so she could rest easier there, without Kira being within range of another strike, though she was sure it would be enough for now.