The scene was set - a four-sided ring, an announce table, an entrance ramp, the speakers and a jumbo-sized screen. The letters 'SHSP' written on the grey mat of the ring. The audience members were seated, all waiting with anticipation of what was to come.
And in the ring? A smiling blonde-haired young woman, her flowing pigtails each accessorized by a black or white bear hairpin. In a stylish-looking black-and-red variation of a school uniform, she looked over the cheering audience.
"Hello everyone!" She welcome the cheering audience, speaking into a microphone. "My name is Junko Enoshima, and I'm the general manager of Super High School Pro!" Her demeanor switched immediately, to a gloomy-sounding voice. "They… used to call me the Super High School Despair…" Her voice changed again, now into an exaggeratedly cute tone. "But now I'm moving onto things!"
Junko paced around the ring, microphone in hand as she continued.
"I decided to put together a new experience, a pro wrestling federation, made up of female students from middle and high schools! It's not a killing game, but it should be pretty fun, yes?" Junko gave a smirk at the audience after this remark. "And the one thing to remember is, it doesn't matter what you did before here! It doesn't matter if you fought witches, were a witch, or mowed down students in super-powered suits with fancy weapons. And it doesn't matter if the most physical activity you've had is playing in a band or performing in an idol show. Once you walk through that curtain…" Junko motioned to the entrance way, a curtain separating the back in the ramp. "…everyone is equal. It doesn't matter what you did before, because here, anyone can beat anyone else!"
Junko took another few steps around, leaning her back against the ring ropes. "And tonight is our first show! We will be starting things with the tournament to crown the first ever SHSP Champion! The girls will enter, but only one will be the champion! Now, who's ready?!"
The audience cheered loudly. "Alright then, let's get things started! Take it away, ring announcer Tenma Tsukamoto!" With that, Junko exited the ring.
The audience's attention turned to the girl with long, dark hair in the corner of the ring, wearing a school uniform of beige, white and red, a smile on her face and a microphone in her hand. Tenma brought the microphone up to her mouth. "The following contest is a first round match in the SHSP Championship Tournament, and is scheduled for one fall! Your referee for this bout is Miho Nishizumi!"
The crowd gave a respectful cheer as a second girl entered the ring, a smile on the face accented by her medium-length red-orange hair. She appeared to be wearing a referee shirt along with the green skirt of a school uniform.
The attention of the arena turned to the entrance way as the sound of distorted guitar filled the speakers. As the song's guitar riff kicked in, the first competitor came walking through the entrance. Dressed in a distinctive black-and-white uniform over a fuchsia skirt, she looked around through her green-blue eyes at the cheering audience, her long red hair waving behind her as she walked.
Tenma brought the microphone to her mouth again. "Introducing first, Rias Gremory!"
Rias came walking down the ramp towards the ring, looking around with a content smile on her face at the excited audience.
"Rias Gremory, starting off this tournament!" A voice began. The camera turned to the table by ringside, showing a pair of girls wearing matching beige school uniforms, both in headsets. "Thank you for joining us, on commentary, I'm Mio Naganohara!" The blue-haired, pigtailed announcer informed the audience.
"And I'm Yukko Aioi!" Her brunette partner added. "And Rias Gremory is the first entrant in the tournament, I hear she's a bit of… a devil." Aioi chuckled.
"I don't know about that, but we do know she's a pretty popular person in her school." Naganohara added. "She's the heir apparent to a family that's known as the House of Gremory."
Rias entered the ring through the top and middle rope. She walked over the closest corner, climbing up to the middle turnbuckle, looking around at the cheering audience.
Naganohara continued her commentary. "We do know that before now, she didn't typically engage in combat, being more comfortable being part of a group that operates almost like a group of chess. How she'll do in the ring all by herself remains to be seen."
"That's right, like our general manager Junko Enoshima said, it doesn't matter what you did before here, just what you do in the ring." Aioi added as Rias climbed down, walking to the far side of the ring from the entrance. Her music came to a stop, the arena going quiet again.
Three drum beats preceded the vocals of the song that started playing over the speakers. "Inside Identity, ibasho wa doko?"
As the song kicked in, out walked the next competitor. Standing out immediately was the white eye patch over her one eye. In a grey school uniform outfitted with a red ribbon and plaid skirt, she struck a dramatic-looking pose on the ramp, holding her index and middle fingers open above her one visible blue-green eye.
Tenma continued her ring announcing. "And her opponent, Rikka TakanashI!"
Rikka began her own walk down the ramp, looking around with a much more curious and wary look than Rias did.
"And Rikka Takanashi is her opponent for this match." Naganohara commented. "What we know about Rikka is that she suffers from what's called 'eighth-grader syndrome', even though she's much older than that."
"But big personalities like that are what make wrestling fun, so she I think she'll make a great fit!" Aioi cut in.
Rikka quickly dashed up the steps leading to the ringside. She stepped onto the apron, leaping over the top rope into the ring. She immediately sprung onto the middle rope of the closest corner, making the same pose she did during her entrance.
"Well, she's a strange one, alright." Naganohara observed. "And isn't that eye patch gonna impede her vision?"
Rias looked curiously at her opponent's strange behavior as the two came towards each other towards the middle of the ring. Referee Nishizumi signaled to the girl sitting by the ring bell, who rang the bell three times.
"And that would be our timekeeper, Kosaki Onodera." Naganohara informed the audience. "Apparently a friend of hers is competing in the tournament also."
Rias and Rikka faced each other, approaching one another slowly with obvious caution.
Rikka slowly extended her right hand in Rias' direction. Rias mirrored her, the two moving steadily closer to one another. They finally reached one another, going into the standard collar-and-elbow tie-up. The two struggled against one another, neither one seeming to gain a clear advantage.
"Collar-and-elbow tie-up." Naganohara commented. "It seems like a stalemate at the moment."
"Looks like they're still both getting a feel for their opponent." Aioi added.
The two let go of another, both taking a step back. They eyed one another down, taking a few steps around the ring. They both concluded their pacing, going back towards one another again, going back into the tie-up. This time, Rias quickly broke the test of strength, grabbing hold of Rikka by the wrist. Rias twisted Rikka's wrist around, dropping Rikka down to one knee.
Naganohara commented. "And Rias taking control early on!"
Rikka leaped back up to her feet, putting her other hand on Rias' wrist, quickly reversing the hold, now taking control of the wristlock. Now with the advantage, Rikka whipped Rias off towards the ropes. Rias bounced off them, coming back in towards Rikka, who made a small leap into a dropkick, knocking Rias down the ground with a cheer from the ground.
"What a dropkick by Rikka!" An impressed Aioi observed. "The crowd sure liked that one."
"But she's gonna need to stay on her to keep the advantage." Added Naganohara.
Rikka rose first, continuing her offense with a few kicks to the Rias, preventing her from rising. Rikka turned and ran across the ring, running off the ropes back towards to Rias. She dropped down, throwing both feet in Rias' direction on the way down. Rias rolled away, leaving Rikka to miss and fall onto the ground.
"Ouch, crash and burn!" Commented Aioi. "Should've stayed on her!"
"And now it looks like Rias is gonna take advantage of this opening!" Naganohara pointed out.
Rias leaped onto Rikka for a pinfall attempt. Referee Nishizumi dropped to the mat for the count.
"1, 2—" Rikka quickly kicked out.
"First pinfall, and only a two count." Naganohara commented. "Now Rias trying to follow up now that she has the opening."
Rias pulled herself up by a vertical basis, holding Rikka's left wrist as she did. Rikka was brought up to her knees, quickly throwing her left wrist at Rias for a punch. It was caught by Rias, who dropped Rikka's other arm.
Now with her other arm free, Rikka threw a second punch, this one also caught. Holding onto both her opponents arms, Rias gave Rikka a shove by her wrists, letting go and leaving her to drop to the mat.
"Everything she throws gets countered by Rias!" Aioi commented. "And now Rias going in for a second cover!"
Referee Nishizumi went onto the mat to count a second pinfall attempt. "1, 2—" Rikka kicked out of the pin forcefully.
Rikka rolled away as Rias climbed off of the pinfall attempt. Now on the other side of the ring, she glared in Rias direction as her red-haired opponent stood up again.
Naganohara commentated as the two faced each other again. "Rikka's looking a little frustrated there."
"Hard to blame her, Rias seems to have a counter for every move Rikka throws."
"Still, impressive amount of wrestling knowledge by the two of them, a good start to this tournament."
The two approached one another in the middle of the ring once again, Rias looking far calmer than Rikka's frustrated disposition. The two extended their hands, apparently looking for another lock up. The two reached their hands closer.
Rikka immediately threw a kick, catching Rias in the shin. Rias let out an audible yell from the attack.
"Ouch, Rikka going low!" Aioi called.
Rikka turned and ran towards the ropes, bouncing off with further speed in Rias direction. Rias regrouped herself from the kick, throwing her arm out in Rikka's direction. Rikka managed to duck underneath it, crossing the ring to bounce off the other side. Rias turned around to see Rikka coming at her, throwing her arm underneath the same arm Rias threw the clothesline with, tossing Rias to the ground.
"Hip toss by Rikka!" Nagnaohara commented. "After ducking the clothesline, it looks like Rikka's getting back into this match!"
"But it looks like she's wasting time." Aioi pointed out.
Rikka stood a few paces away from Rias, striking a pose, one hand over her eye patch, the other hand extended palm-out.
Rias began to pull herself back up, prompting Rikka to drop the pose and run back in to continue her quickly-fleeting advantage. Rias raised a hand, going in for a strike. Rikka leaped over the still-grounded Rias, who turned around into a quick kick from Rikka.
Rias went down again. Rikka looked down at her downed opponent before quickly running towards the closest corner.
Naganohara commented. "And instead of going for the corner, looks like Rikka has something else in mind."
Rikka climbed outside of the ring onto the apron, hopping up onto the second turnbuckle, using it to step onto the top turnbuckle.
The audience watched as Rikka stood on the top rope, her entire body shaking slightly, her head now an ample height above the canvas of the ring. Rias was stirring, but still down on the ground.
"And Rikka to the top!" Naganohara exclaimed. "What is she gonna do here?"
Rikka stood on the top rope, a nervous look setting into her face, her body still shaking slightly. Her eyes shut as she let out a small yell, jumping off the top rope in Rias direction. Rias began to rise, moving away. Rikka's eyes opened up again as she came down towards the mat, seeing Rias up again.
Steering herself in mid-air, Rikka's feet hit the mat, but her balance was clearly lost as she stumbled around in a vain attempt to gain her footing. Rias snuck up behind Rikka, tucking her head underneath Rikka's arm and using both arms to lift her up, falling backwards to drop Rikka back-first into the ground.
"What a suplex!" Aioi exclaimed.
"The high-risk manuever did not pay off for Rikka." Naganohara said. "And an impressive back suplex by Rias."
Rias dropped onto Rikka, hooking her leg for a pin, Referee Nishizumi dropping into position for the count.
"1, 2—" Rikka got a shoulder up before her hand hit for three.
Rias got back up to her knees beside Rikka, pondering her next move. She got back up to a standing state, pulling Rikka back up with her. The redhead whipped her eye patch-wearing opponent towards the rope, Rikka's body turning to land back-first in the turnbuckles.
Now panting slightly, the fatigue of the match finally becoming evident, Rias eyed Rikka in the corner. Pondering her actions for a moment, Rias charged in, dashing at full speed towards Rikka.
Rias ducked her head low, her shoulder being the attack point towards Rikka. Just as she got in close, she found herself countered, Rikka raising both feet to catch Rias in mid-dash.
"Oh, counter!" Naganohara commentated as Rias took a few steps back, her hand over her mouth. Her face told the story of how much pain Rias was in from the counter.
Rikka shook her head slightly, regaining her bearings. She made a short hop, going onto the second rope. She made a short hop off, turning her body sideways as she fell in Rias' direction, her right foot catching Rias in her previously-injured face with a kick.
"And a spinning heel kick!" Shouted Naganohara excitedly as the crowd cheered for the move. "That's gotta be it!"
Rikka crawled over Rias the second she hit the ground, pinning her with a leg hook pin. Referee Nishizumi dropped to the ground. "1, 2—" To the surprise of the crowd, Rias got a shoulder up. The audience cheered loudly.
"And not quite!" Naganohara called. "First that counter, then the heel kick, it looks like Rias is a little toughter than one might think!"
Rikka sprung back up, looking down at Rias in the ground. Panting a bit, she took a few steps back, looking at her opponent.
Rias turned over, in an apparent small step to get back up. She put her left hand over her now-red face, balancing herself with her hand hand and both knees on the floor. She pushed off with her right hand, back up to a kneeling position, only able to watch Rikka lining herself up a few steps away.
Staring down her opponent, Rikka took a deep breath before screaming out three words. "Vanishment! This! World!"
Rias looked up to see Rikka charging. The navy-haired Takanashi made a small jump, swinging her right foot straight at Rias' head. Rias' head went down to duck her kick, leaving Rikka to miss wildly, hitting the canvas hard only inches away from Rias.
"Swing and a miss!" Said Aioi as the crowd made an 'Oh!' sound at Rikka's missed move.
Rias struggled to get back up, Rikka doing the same. Ahead of Rikka by a few seconds, Rias was back up before her opponent. Gremory turned and ran across the ring, bouncing off the ropes towards Rikka, who turned around to see Rias turn around, her elbow connecting with the side of Rikka's head.
"Back elbow by Rias!" Naganohara called. "Can she capitalize?"
Rikka was down, Rias trying to get herself together enough to capitalize. Still stumbling slightly, she reached for the dazed Rikka, pulling her up by the head.
Rias pulled Rikka towards her, tucking her opponent's head underneath her arm. Both of Rias hands reached for Rikka's corresponding arms, lifting them up. Standing in this position for a split second, Rias dropped backwards, bringing Rikka down head-first to the canvas.
"And a double-arm DDT!" The impressed Naganohara shouted. "Could this do it?!"
Rias turned Rikka over onto her back and went in for the pin, hooking the leg. Referee Nishizumi counted. "!, 2, 3!"
The bell rang three times, Rias' music hitting the speakers again as Tenma picked up her mic.
"The winner of this match, Rias Gremory!"
Despite the pain and fatigue wearing in, Rias got back up, Referee Nishizumi raising her hand as the crowd cheered loudly for her victory.
"And Rias gets the win in the first match of the tournament!" Naganohara said. "What a match by both of these competitors, it looked like it could've gone either way!"
"It looked like Rikka's showboating probably cost her." Added Aioi. "Both of them looked pretty good, but in the end, Rias Gremory pulled it out."
Rias climbed up to the second rope, managing to put on a smile as she waved to the cheering audience.
Naganohara continued. "Rikka Takanashi has nothing to be ashamed of though. An excellent effort, she's gonna be a contender here for sure."
Referee Nishizumi helped Rikka to stand again, though it was clear just from looking at her face that she was out of it from the the finishing move she just sustained. Rias turned around, giving Rikka a brief bow as Referee Nishizumi helped her from the ring.
"It's only the first match, but it's never too soon to ask, 'Could we be looking at our first champion?'." Aioi said, watching Rias climb up the opposite corner's turnbuckle, motioning to the crowd once again.
"We've only seen two of the sixteen girls who will be competing to become the first SHSP champion, but you gotta believe that either way, Rias is gonna be a factor in this tournament!"
Rias rolled out of the ring, high-fiving the fans at ringside with a smile on her face despite the red mark on her face, making her way towards the ramp with her music blaring.
"Congrats again to Rias Gremory on advancing! And now we send things to our backstage interviewer, Eru Chitanda! Chitanda?" Naganohara asked.
The camera cut to the backstage area, showing a dark-haired girl wearing a blue-and-white school outfit, smiling happily at the camera. "Thank you! I'm Eru Chitanda. Joining me at this time is my guest, Chitoge Kirisaki!"
Chitanda looked to her guest who walked up to her, a blonde-haired half-foreigner in a red bow, complimenting her sky blue school uniform. Looking a bit serious, she gave Chitanda a nod of acknowledgement before turning to the camera.
Chitanda continued. "Kirisaki-san, I'm curious, what are your thoughts on your match tonight? Your opponent is a very well-known competitor by the name of Satsuki Kiryuin, who actually directs her own school, and is known for being pretty good in combat."
Chitoge smirked slightly. "I'm not intimidated. Sure, she's had a lot of combat experience, but that's with a sword and a super-powered suit. I don't think it's gonna be the same when all she has is her own two hands." A smile still on her face, Chitoge shrugged. "I mean, what's she gonna do, step on me until I can't fight anymore?"
Chitanda made a small noise, turning to look to the opposite side of Chitoge. Chitoge looked over as well, seeing the glaring eyes of Satsuki Kiryuin, her distinctive long raven-colored hair hung over her especially thick eyebrows, contorted in an angry stare at Chitoge.
Satsuki glanced over Chitoge briefly, before looking her right in the eye. "You should be careful of what you say, Chitoge Kirisaki."
With that one sentence, she turned and exited, leaving behind a somewhat stunned Chitanda, and an upset Chitoge watching her go.
The scene on-screen changed to that of an office area, Junko Enoshima sitting behind a desk, looking over several documents, a pair of glasses on her face. The sound of knocking turned her attention awa y from her paperwork. "Yes?"
The door opened, bringing in her guest - a very awkward-looking bespectacled girl in a purple school uniform that matched her long purple braids. "E-Enoshima-san?"
Junko looked over to her guest while removing her glasses. "Ah, Touko Fukawa, glad you made it. What can I do for you?"
Fukawa looked away from Junko, her hands fidgeting nervously.. "I-I know I said that I'd be part of your promotion, b-but putting me in the world title tournament?! I didn't even want to compete…"
"Fukawa-san, relax." Junko responded, giving Fukawa a small smile. "I wanted you in the tournament because I saw something very special in you."
"B-but I'm not really a fighter!" Fukawa protested.
"Most of the girls in the tournament aren't fighters." Junko replied. "That's what makes it so great, anything can happen and anyone can beat anyone else."
"Can't you have me do something else?!" Fukawa asked frantically. "I-I don't even know what you see in me."
Junko placed her glasses back on, changing her tone of voice to a more business-like manner. "From what I see here, your match isn't until next week. You have time to prepare." She removed her glasses, her tone of voice now becoming a typical 'cute' voice. "You can do it, Touko-chan!"
Fukawa let out a small worried noise. "I'll try… I guess…" She reached for the doorknob, exiting the office quickly.
Junko replaced her glasses, looking over her papers again. "Ah, Fukawa-san…" She said, shaking her head briefly.
The bell rang in the ringside area as Tenma took up her microphone once again. The following contest is a first round match in the SHSP Championship Tournament, and is scheduled for one fall! Your referee for this bout is Suzu Hagimura!"
The camera panned over slightly, only catching the forehead and a bit of blonde hair. It panned down, showing the extremely short referee, Suzu Hagimura, not looking too excited. She brushed her long yellow pigtails back as the attention of the arena turned back to the entrance ramp.
The sounds of a dance song came through the speakers with the sound of "Pure, pure parado". Out from the back walked the next entrant, a girl almost as short as the recently introduced referee. Wearing a distinctive red blazer with a blue skirt, the long-haired brunette didn't look particularly smiley in her stride down the entrance ramp.
"Introducing first, Taiga Aisaka!"
Taiga made her way down in the entrance way in a straightforward manner, looking around at the crowd with her almost annoyed expression.
"And here comes the girl they call the 'Palmtop Tiger'." Naganohara commented through Taiga's entrance. "From what we know of her, though she doesn't have a formal background in any kind of fighting, it wasn't uncommon for her to get into fights at school."
"She really looks like she's ready for a fight." Aioi added. "She just looks like she's ready to punch someone."
Taiga walked up the steps and entered the ring through the ropes. She walked to the other side past the similarly diminutive referee Hagimura, looking out among the cheering crowd. She stretched herself out a bit, obstensibly in preparation for the match.
Taiga's theme lowered in volume before coming to a halt. Taiga paced slightly, looking out at the ramp in preparation for her opponent.
The sound of music filled the arena again, this time a much more mellow, slow-tempo instrument-based song. However, the expression on the face of the girl was definitely a contrast, coming out with an unhappy, almost irritated look on her face. Wearing a school uniform in a distinct color scheme of pink, red and purple, and with very long purple hair, she paused at the top of the ramp, observing the scene.
"And her opponent, Hitagi Senjougahara!"
"I thought the opponent would have to look friendlier than Taiga did, but this girl looks even more mad." Aioi commented through the crowd's cheer.
Senjougahara began to make her way down the ramp, walking somewhat slowly.
Naganohara continued. "Hitagi Senjougahara, comes to us from a school called Naoetsu Private High School. Unlike Taiga, the rumors that surround her are a bit harder to believe."
Taiga looked straight at Senjougahara as she arrived at the ring, not looking to impressed. Senjougahara returned the look, her unamused face remaining the same as when she walked into the arena.
"Geez." Commented Aioi. "Both of them look like they came here ready to rip someone's head off."
Senjougahara entered through the ropes, walking into the middle of the ring. Taiga walked over to the meet her, Referee Hagimura standing a few paces away.
Senjougahara stood, looking intensely down at the much shorter Taiga. Taiga looked up at Senjougahara. Neither one seemed the slightest bit intimidated.
Referee Hagimura motioned for the bell to be rung, and with three 'ding's, the match was officially underway.
"Here we go, Taiga and Hitagi, first round match!" Naganohara excitedly said.
The two stood firmly in place despite the bell ringing, looking at one another still. Finally, Senjougahara broke the freeze in actions, bringing her right hand up, the back of her hand landing across Taiga's face.
Taiga's head turned with the impact of the move, still not knocking her from her spot.
"And Senjougahara with the first strike!" Naganohara called.
Taiga pulled herself back together, looking back at Senjougahara, who similarly didn't move after her strike. She reached a hand over where she had been struck for a moment, then balled the hand into a fist, making its way up into Senjougahara's stomach. Senjougahara flinched a bit, taking a step back, her right hand going over where she had been hit.
She stood, giving a glaring look to Taiga, who looked back with a stern expression. They paused briefly. The two abruptly charged towards one another, immediately breaking into an exchange of fists, prompting the audience's volume to suddenly raise in the excitement.
"Look at them go!" Shouted Aioi.
The two exchanged strikes on one another. After a few moments of this, it was clear that Taiga was gaining the advantage, despite her size and reach disadvantage, her punches were landing more forcefully. Senjougahara stumbled backwards, abandoning her part in the brawl and now attempting to guard against the onslaught from Taiga.
Senjougahara soon found herself backed into the corner of the ring, with her opponent closing in. Taiga closed in, going on the offensive with Senjougahara cornered.
Referee Hagimura ran over, pulling Taiga from the corner. "Out of the corner, Aisaka!" She shouted to Taiga.
Taiga glared angrily in the referee's direction while taking a few steps backwards.
"And a call from Referee Hagimura." Naganohara commented. "Cornering your opponent in that way is against the rules."
Senjougahara stepped out of the corner, not taking her eyes off of Taiga. The purple-haired girl approached her smaller opponent cautiously, noting Taiga's fists were up.
"It looks like Taiga's reputation of being a willing fighter is true after all." Aioi said. "She had Senjougahara reeling there."
"It remains to be seen if she can hold onto that advantage." Naganohara replied, watching the two approach each one another slowly.
Taiga stepped closer towards Senjougahara, who did likewise. Taiga threw the first punch, swinging her right hand at Senjougahara, who swung her forearm up to stop it. Senjougahara followed her parry with a kick aimed towards Taiga's ribs, a kick she managed to move away from without it connecting.
Senjougahara's foot landed on the canvas awkwardly from the kick, causing her to stumble. Taiga moved in almost instinctively, throwing a swinging punch. Showing agility of her own, Senjougahara managed to avoid her opponent's move just as she had done, Taiga stumbling forward a bit, bent slightly at the waist. Senjougahara moved in immediately, throwing her left arm over Taiga's neck, clasping the brunette's right arm to her side in the process of bringing her hands underneath Taiga's neck, completing the move known as the front face lock.
"And smart thinking from Senjougahara!" Naganohara commented. Senjougahara put pressure on Taiga, who began to struggle in the hold.
"I think she realized that she wasn't going to win a fist fight with Taiga, so she needed to go another way." Added Aioi.
"And an interesting twist, not just the front face lock, but also pinning Taiga's right arm down."
Senjougahara bore down on Taiga, who was twisting and turning in the hold, attempting to break free. Taiga threw her hands out, striking Senjougahara's lower back, but the hold was clearly taking its effect, it was only a few moments before Taiga's resistance began to slow.
Referee Hagimura ran over to Taiga. "What do you say Taiga, you wanna give up?"
Taiga managed to a quiet "No" in response. Senjougahara loosened her grip slightly, spinning her body around to now use both arms to put Taiga into a headlock. Senjougahara exerted her strength on Taiga again, who still tried to break free.
Her body now positioned behind Taiga, Senjougahara was free to continue to try to wear down Taiga without worrying about her strikes.
"You gotta wonder how much more of this she can take." Aioi commentated.
"This is where Taiga's small stature will hurt her." Naganohara continued. "The fact that almost any opponent she has will be bigger than her is probably going to have a strength advantage, and in this case, it looks like it's gonna keep her from being able to break Senjougahara's hold onher."
Taiga attempted to walk and bring Senjougahara with her, not making much progress with each attempted footstep. Her teeth gritted, Taiga continued to try to break through. Out of nowhere, she let out a shout, moving herself in the opposite direction, backwards. Caught off-guard, Senjougahara teetered backwards, landing in the corner, her hands falling from around Taiga's head.
The smaller of the combatants spun around, throwing a kick at Senjougahara, catching her in the same place her first punch did. Senjougahara doubled over, hand over her stomach. Taiga dropped onto her knees after her strike, attempting to catch her breath.
"And she finally gets out of Senjougahara's holds, but has the damage been done?" Asked Naganohara.
Senjougahara apparently having recovered, stepped out of the corner and started towards Taiga, still in the process of recovering. Taiga took note of Senjougahara closing in, pulling herself back up as quickly as she could. Senjougahara's walk turned into a dash in Taiga's direction. Leaving her no opponent no time to react, Senjougahara stopped upon grabbing a hold of Taiga's left wrist.
In what seemed like an instant Senjougahara twisted Taiga's arm by the wrist, turning it upside down, then proceeded to rapidly drop down to her knees, pulling Taiga's arm down, torquing it at the awkward angle she forced it in.
Taiga fell onto her back from the impact of the move, letting out a yell in pain as she held onto her left arm. Senjougahara crawled over into the cover as Referee Hagimura positioned herself to count.
"1, 2—" Taiga managed to kick out.
Senjougahara immediately sprung back up, swinging her right leg backward and then forward again, kicking Taiga's injured arm hard. Taiga held onto her left arm with her right again, her face grimacing in pain.
"It looks like Senjougahara sure did her homework." Aioi noted.
"Yep, attacking a body part is pro wrestling 101." Naganohara added. "And a smart choice to go after the arm, that's gonna take away from Taiga's brawling ability."
Like an animal stalking its prey, Senjougahara circled Taiga, who was still gripping her injured left arm. She raised her foot and gave Taiga's arm another stomp, causing her to shift away slightly, still looking to be in quite a bit of pain. Taiga began to stand up, Senjougahara still pacing close by.
Once Taiga was back up, Senjougahara pounced immediately, grabbing Taiga's left arm, turning it around by the wrist once more, then bending at the elbow. Her face still grimacing, Taiga swung on Senjougahara with her one good hand, connecting a few times but not quite enough to halt her attack.
"What's she doing now?" Aioi asked as Senjougahara began to walk backwards towards the ring ropes. Still holding onto the struggling Taiga, Senjougahara made a leap over the top rope, pulling Taiga's arm hard against the top rope as she landed on the apron.
Taiga let out a scream as her arm bounced off the top rope. She fell onto her back again, gripping her arm with her face showing her obvious pain.
Senjougahara stepped back through the middle and top ropes, dropping onto the floor to make another pin attempt on Taiga. Referee Hagimura began the count. "1, 2—" Taiga kicked out again.
"You gotta wonder if Taiga should maybe just stop kicking out." Naganohara said. "Senjougahara had a plan, and she's using it perfectly, taking out Taiga's arm."
Senjougahara rolled off of the pin attempt, looking over at Taiga, still holding onto her hurt limb. She crawled over, reaching both hands to Taiga to take hold of the arm. She sat back on the floor, pulling back on the arm.
"And an armbar by Senjougahara!" Naganohara called. "I think she's trying to end this now!"
Referee Hagimura leaned down by Taiga's pained face. "What do you say, Taiga?"
"NO!" Screamed Taiga, breathing heavily as Senjougahara continued to apply pressure on the armbar.
Taiga's face showed her agony as Senjougahara wrenched in the submission hold. With a scream she began to pull herself towards the ring ropes. Senjougahara held her hold tight, trying to keep Taiga in place. Her face strained and teeth gritted, Taiga crawled using all the strength in her one good arm and both legs, reaching her right arm towards the rope.
The crowd began to cheer loudly as Taiga inched closer, her right hand reaching for the rope. Finally, she pulled herself just enough forward to grab onto it. The audience applauded loudly at Taiga's determination.
"Alright, Senjougahara, let it go!" Referee Hagimura ordered. Senjougahara reluctantly released the armbar on Taiga, who pulled herself back up using her right arm on the ropes.
"And Taiga reaches the ropes!" Naganohara commented through the audience's cheers. "But it might be a lost cause, Senjougahara seems to have this match in control."
Senjougahara immediately approached Taiga again, who was still holding onto the ropes. Catching her from the corner of her eye, Taiga let go and made a small jump into the air, dropkicking Senjougahara in the mid-section, knocking her down onto the ground.
With Senjougahara down, Taiga began to walk forward, her left arm almost dangling from the damage inflicted on it. Senjougahara pulled herself back up, throwing out a clothesline in Taiga's direction, one which was ducked. Now looking frustrated, Senjougahara ran across the ropes, bouncing off and coming towards Taiga. Taiga dropped down, using both feet to trip up Senjougahara and pull her to the ground.
"Drop toe hold!" Naganohara commented. "And now Taiga into the cover."
Taiga had indeed jumped in for the pin, with Referee Hagimura counting. "1, 2—" Senjougahara kicked out of the attempt.
Taiga pulled away from the pin attempt, Senjougahara shaking it off rather quickly. Taiga put both hands together as Senjougahara came in close. Once her opponent came in close enough, the 'Palmtop Tiger' raised her two hands, catching Senjougahara square in the jaw.
Senjougahara took a few steps backward, putting a hand over her mouth, clearly feeling the effects. Meanwhile, Taiga shook her left arm out, grimacing again.
"Well, that probably wasn't the smartest move." Said Aioi.
"Looks like she might've aggravated that arm injury." Added Naganohara.
A look of fury came across Senjougahara's face. She began to walk towards Taiga, who was lowering herself slightly, still nursing her arm. Senjougahara reached forward for Taiga, who immediately sprung up, the top of her head catching Senjougahara in the jaw just as her previous hit had.
The audience cheered at this attack, Senjougahara falling onto her bottom from the sheer impact.
"Oh, man!" Naganohara exclaimed. "What a move!"
Breathing heavily, Taiga stared down Senjougahara, who looked even more angry now than any point in the match. Taiga crouched down slightly, her right arm going over her left again. Senjougahara closed in as she did. She made brief eye contact with Taiga, raising her hands. To her surprise, Taiga immediately jumped up, landing an uppercut once again into the chin of her opponent.
Senjougahara fell onto the mat, Taiga collapsing on top of her. Referee Hagimura counted. "1, 2, 3!"
The crowd erupted as the bell rang three times again, Taiga's entrance song subsequently airing on the speakers once more. Tenma picked up her microphone. "The winner of this match, Taiga Aisaka!"
An exhausted and pained Taiga rose up to her feet, Referee Hagimura raising her right arm in victory to the delight of the crowd.
"What a match!" Exclaimed Naganohara. "It looked like Senjougahara had it won, and she did have a great game plan, but Taiga just refused to give in!"
"Taiga sure is tough." Aioi added. "Especially for someone so small, I think she's gonna be a force to be reckoned with here!"
Taiga walked over to the ring ropes, throwing herself across the top rope, breathing a heavy sigh of relief as she rested herself on the rope. She looked out at the cheering audience, a smile coming across her face as it seemed to finally set in that she had won.
Taiga looked over to see Senjougahara roll out of the ring, a hand over her jaw, clearly hurting from the trifecta of the double-handed strike, headbutt and the final uppercut that ended things.
"And let's not forget Hitagi Senjougahara, either." Naganohara continued. "She showed a lot of wrestling knowledge in her first match, and I think her submission style is going to take her places in the future."
Taiga walked back to the middle of the ring, looking out at the ecstatic audience with a content look on her face.
"Either way, Taiga's going to round two." Continued Naganohara. "Now just for the record, her opponent will not be Rias, this tournament is not going in bracket order. But with that performance, you gotta figure her opponent's gonna have an uphill battle."
Taiga carefully exited the ring, making sure not to use her left arm too much. She made her way down the ringside area towards the ramp, smiling as she did, her entrance theme playing in the background all the while.
"Congratulations to Taiga!" Naganohara finally said.
The camera cut to the backstage area, showing Rias Gremory. She was standing by a table, drinking a bottle of tea. After her sip, she let out a sigh of relief. "Hm?"
Rias looked up to see her opponent from earlier in the night, Rikka Takanashi walking towards her.
"Hey." Rias greeted her. "Good match out there. You were a worthy opponent."
Rikka stopped in her tracks, looking at Rias intently. "Devilish one." She began. "You have banished me from the race to claim the greatest of prizes in this realm. But do not believe this will stop me from reaching the Ethereal Horizon."
Rias looked at Rikka strangely. "Um… I'm sorry, the what?"
Rikka held her index and middle finger in a V-sign over her eye patch. "And do not believe we have faced each other in the field of battle for the last time."
Rikka continued to walk down the hallway past Rias, who looked to be extremely confused by the entire conversation.
Eru Chitanda appeared on screen once again, her smiling face looking at the camera with her microphone in hand. "Please welcome my guest at this time, Ichiko Sakura!"
Chitanda's walked into view, a very good-looking girl with a unique combination of platinum hair and teal eyes. Brushing whatever dust might have been on her brown-and-blue school uniform off, she gave a smile to the camera. "Thanks, Chitanda."
"Sakura-san, I'm curious." Chitanda began. "Your match in the tournament is next week, how do you feel going into it?"
"How do I feel?" Ichiko asked with a big smile. "Well, obviously I'm not sweating it at all! I mean, I've been blessed with great fortune, after all. I'm rich, I'm beautiful, I'm popular. It only makes sense that next I'd conquer this competition after I was invited to it, right?"
"Well, I hear they do call you the 'Good Luck Girl'." Chitanda replied, smiling a bit despite the arrogance of Ichiko's words.
"Well, obviously." Ichiko replied, motioning to herself. "Could you see someone like this having bad luck, ever?"
Chitanda's eyes trailed down slightly. "Well, I hear they also do call you Ti—"
"Next question, please!" Ichiko interrupted, looking suddenly flustered.
"Right, sorry." Chitanda cleared her throat. "Sakura-san, there are rumors going around that your opponent in the first round is going to be an idol. How do you feel about that?"
Ichiko let out a brief laugh. "An idol? Please. I'm an idol who doesn't sing. Or dance. I'm not intimidated by that at all. Whoever this 'idol' is, I'm gonna beat her." She raised a clenched fist, smiling confidently. "I'm ready for this."
The show returned to the ring area, showing Tenma Tsukamoto in the middle of the ring. She raised her microphone up to her mouth once again as the bell rang three times. "The following contest is a first round match in the SHSP Championship Tournament, and is scheduled for one fall! Your referee for this bout is Iori Nagase!"
The camera focused in on the third referee of the night, a cheerful-looking girl with one pigtail, wearing her referee shirt with a plaid skirt. Nagase smiled and waved to the crowd.
"Kioku ga hiraku oto. Kikitai kara. Kimi ni sashidasou"
The electronic beat of the song kicked in. Out from the back emerged Chitoge, standing on the ramp, looking out at the cheering audience with a smile. She made her way down the ramp with a smile.
The camera cut to show the timekeeper Onodera, smiling and applauding happily as her friend came down the ramp.
"And Chitoge Kirisaki is the next entrant in this tournament!" Naganohara announced as the ribbon-haired girl walked down the entrance ramp. "She doesn't seem to have much formal training, but we do know this half-foreigner seems to be quite the hit anywhere she goes."
"Like a lot of the girls in this tournament, there's a lot of rumors about her, too." Aioi continued while Chitoge reached the steps of the ring. "Apparently her family's a bit… fearsome, or so they say."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I… don't think I should say." Aioi replied. "They also say on her first day of school, she kneed a scary-looking guy right in the face!"
"Kinda sounds like the rumor about Taiga Aisaka punching a tough guy from her school." Naganohara chuckled. "Thank goodness they're just rumors, right?"
Chitoge stepped through the middle and top rope, looking around at the audience. She smiled and waved at the them, receiving a loud cheer in response. After pacing around the ring a few times, she came to a stop on the far side of the ring from the entrance ramp, cracking her knuckles and looking out at the entrance way. She stretched out her arms a bit while her theme song quieted before coming to a halt.
A dramatic-sounding song, one with a militaristic feel to it, filled the arena now. Out from the back stepped Satsuki, wearing her usual stern expression. In her hand was a sword in a white sheath. The audience clamored a bit, though not breaking out into a full cheer. She came to a pause at the top of the ramp upon walking out, staring down Chitoge.
"And her opponent, Satsuki Kiryuin!"
"Here comes Satsuki." Naganohara announced. "Unlike the other entrants in this tournament, Satsuki's not just a student, she's a director of her own school, despite being of similar age to the others."
Satsuki walked down the ramp, looking straight ahead at Chitoge, who was looking back without the same confidence she had while being interviewed by Chitanda.
As she ascended the stairs, Satsuki broke her eye contact with Chitoge, wiping her boots on the ring apron before stepping through the ropes. The audience was noticeably quieter than during Chitoge's entrance, almost as if there was something awing about her.
Chitoge moved from her position as Satsuki came closer, gently laying her sword down on the side of the ring farthest from the entrance.
"I wonder what that sword's for." Aioi pondered. "I mean, it's not like she can use it."
"Well, she is used to sword-fighting above all else, maybe she still feels like she should have it for battle even if it's not going to be used."
"Or maybe she brings it to intimidate her opponents!"
"I don't think she even needed to, Aioi." Naganohara noted. "In case you haven't noticed, that's a scary young lady."
Her comment wasn't far off the mark, the look on the dark-haired girl's face seemed to be sapping Chitoge of her confidence by the second.
Referee Nagase motioned for the two competitors to come to the center of the ring. They followed the order, and the two made eye contact once more. Satsuki's unyielding stare continued, Chitoge looking cautiously at her opponent.
With that, Referee Nagase motioned to Onodera, and the bell rang three times.
"And here we go, final match of the night is underway!" Naganohara commented.
Chitoge took several steps back, putting up both fists. Satsuki, on the other hand, remained in place, watching her opponent. The ring was still with the two eying one another down.
Chitoge began to move in slowly, her fists still up. Her speed accelerated as she went in towards her opponent, who raised one hand, throwing it into Chitoge's clavicle and shoving her down to the mat.
This push sent Chitoge tumbling on the mat a few times. She pulled herself up to a kneeling position, seeing Satsuki still standing firmly in place. Frustration was immediately setting in on her face in the opening moments of the match.
Finally, Satsuki began to step forward, approaching Chitoge who was beginning to stand up again. With Satsuki closing in, Chitoge sprung back up, throwing out a fist in Satsuki's direction. It was caught immediately by Satsuki's left hand. Her right hand immediately went underneath Chitoge's arm, Satsuki using her strength to lift the blonde off the ground and toss her to the mat once again. Chitoge landed back-first, rolling a few times across the mat.
The darker-haired girl continued to close in on Chitoge, who now found herself backing away.
"I think Kirisaki might be regretting underestimating her opponent." Naganohara commented. "Even with no power suit and no sword, it looks like she's plenty strong."
Both hands on the mat, Chitoge began to pull herself up. Satsuki was there in an instant, raising one leg to hit Chitoge in the ribs with a hard kick, receiving a loud shout 'Oh!' from the audience.
Chitoge fell on her back again, grimacing in pain from the move. She had no time to recover, as Satsuki yanked Chitoge back up with both hands, pulling her up by her uniform. Pulling her off the ground by a bit, Satsuki pushed Chitoge into the corner, then proceeded to raise her left leg, planting her heel boot into Chitoge's neck, using her lower body to push on Chitoge's neck, Chitoge struggling as she was pushed into the corner.
Referee Nagase immediately ran over. "Hey, that's enough, Kiryuin, out of the corner!" She ordered. "1, 2, 3—"
Satsuki brought her leg down, giving a dirty look to Nagase, who flinched a bit upon seeing it. Chitoge took a few steps out of the corner, both hands on her throat and coughing loudly. Almost on instinct, Satsuki swung around from facing Nagase to bring her hand down against the side of Chitoge's neck in a chop-like move.
The familiar sight of Chitoge on the mat was on view once more, Satsuki staring coldly down at her opponent. She took a few steps back, Chitoge still struggling to pull herself up. Lying in wait, Satsuki prepared herself as Chitoge got back up. Once she did, Satsuki pounced, running at Chitoge and placing both hands around her head before dropping to the ground, pulling Chitoge down hard, neck-first into the mat.
"Spinning neckbreaker by Satsuki!" Naganohara commented. "She has absolutely dominated this match so far. And now the cover."
Referee Nagase got down onto the mat to count. "1, 2—" Chitoge rolled her shoulder off the mat.
Satsuki let out a sigh of annoyance, glaring down at her opponent as she got back up. She reached a hand down, grabbing Chitoge's uniform around the shoulder to pull her back up. She got the pained Chitoge back up, but immediately felt a strike to her stomach.
The crowd popped as Chitoge finally landed an attack, her punch startling Satsuki from the looks of it. Her face full of anger, Chitoge switched to a left punch to hit Satsuki's midsection, then went back to the right, going back and forth with as many as she could. The audience's cheers grew louder as Chitoge continued swinging on Satsuki.
"Chitoge finally getting into the match now!" Naganohara spectated. "It looks like Satsuki wasn't expecting this!"
Satsuki soon found herself backed up, using her hands to shield as Chitoge tried her best to keep the strikes going on Satsuki. Chitoge's fist moved upwards, going for Satsuki's head now. The punch missed, allowing her opponent to duck down. Satsuki immediately grabbed hold of her opponent, bringing her knee up into Chitoge's stomach, bringing the flurry of offense to an abrupt halt.
"Oh, gosh!" Groaned Aioi. "That knee looked like it hurt."
Chitoge backed up, gasping for breath as she put both hands over her midsection. Satsuki wasted no time in continuing, grabbing Chitoge by her hair before doubling her over, throwing one arm over Chitoge's neck. Satsuki lowered her own head, pulling Chitoge's arm out of the way to grip Chitoge by the waist, lifting her into the air for a vertical suplex.
The crowd clamored at the surprising show of strength, Satsuki holding Chitoge upside down in the air. Satsuki dropped backwards, slamming Chitoge onto the ground with a crash.
"Picture-perfect vertical suplex by Satsuki Kiryuin!" Naganohara called. "Not surprising that someone like her would come prepared with pro wrestling techniques."
Satsuki crawled over Chitoge for another pinfall. Referee Nagase counted. "1, 2—" Another kick-out by Chitoge.
Another annoyed groan left Satsuki's mouth, glaring angrily down at her hurting opponent. Chitoge's eyes were shut tightly, her face grimacing. With a sigh, Satsuki stood up once again, pulling Chitoge with her. Holding onto one wrist, Satsuki whipped Chitoge in the direction of the ropes. Chitoge bounced off the ropes towards the waiting Satsuki, who raised one leg for a side kick. Surprisingly, Chitoge managed to duck, rolling underneath the kick.
A stunned look came across Satsuki's face as she turned around, seeing Chitoge, breathing heavily and standing by the ropes, staring with a determined look. Satsuki turned and charged towards Chitoge. Chitoge dropped down, pulling down the top rope, leaving Satsuki to tumble over upon missing. The dark-haired girl tumbled off the apron, landing on the floor.
Naganohara clamored at this. "And Chitoge is letting Satsuki know she's not done yet!"
"She does look like she's taken quite a bit of punishment though." Aioi added.
Chitoge stood, still breathing heavily, the damage from the match showing. Satsuki was pulling herself back up on the outside. With one deep breath, Chitoge dashed to the closest corner, climbing up to the top turnbuckle.
"What the heck is she doing?!" Exclaimed Aioi.
The audience began to clamor again as Chitoge looked down, now standing at a pretty remarkable height in the air. Fists clenched, Chitoge leapt off the top rope to the awe of everyone in the arena. Satsuki could only look up to see Chitoge coming down, both of her stocking-clad knees closing in.
The crowd cheered loudly upon the sight of both knees slamming Satsuki in the face, sending her crashing to the ground and rolling across the ringside area. Chitoge landed on the floor, just a few steps from where she hit the knee.
"Incredible!" Shouted Naganohara. "What a move! From the top rope, a high risk maneuver that paid off!"
Chitoge looked almost shocked at what she had just pulled off. She immediately rolled back into the ring, now taking her time in getting back up, with Satsuki on the outside.
Looking to the outside of the ring, Referee Nagase began to count. "1! 2!"
"Just a reminder to the viewers, Kiryuin-san now has a 10 count." Naganohara informed them. "If she doesn't get back in, she loses."
"3!" Nagase called out. "4!"
Chitoge pulled herself back up with the ropes. She looked to the outside, where Satsuki was starting to get back up again. Her face was immediately showing the visible effects of the move, discoloration starting. She walked towards the ring, stumbling slightly.
"5!" Nagase counted as Satsuki came closer. "6!"
Satsuki finally reached the ring, reaching for the ropes.
"7!" Nagase counted. Satsuki grabbed hold of the bottom rope and rolled herself back in. It took only a second before the determined Chitoge pounced, jumping on Satsuki before she could get up, going for striking attacks. Satsuki managed to shove Chitoge off, immediately getting back up to her feet. This did little to deter the suddenly determined Chitoge, who charged back in, tackling Satsuki into the corner.
"And Chitoge's a house of fire!" Naganohara commented. "After that knee it looks like she really got into the match, and she wants to win this!"
Satsuki was now in the corner after being pushed into it by Chitoge. Chitoge walked up to the middle rope as the crowd cheered on. Satsuki's eyes opened as Chitoge looked down, fist raised. She brought it down with punches as the arena counted along.
"1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9—" Chitoge found herself interrupted at the ninth, as Satsuki mustered enough strength to give her a hard shove.
Caught off-guard, Chitoge was sent flying from the middle rope, landing hard on her upper back and neck area. Satsuki finally was able to catch her breath, pulling herself from the corner of the ring. Chitoge, on the other hand, didn't seem to take the fall too well, holding her head and neck with both arms. She rolled over onto her stomach, shaking slightly.
"Man, Chitoge really took a hard fall there." Aioi commented.
"After that flurry of offense, she was taken down." Naganohara added. "And now Satsuki looking to capitalize."
Satsuki walked over to the ropes, staring intensely at her fallen opponent. She took a few steps forward towards Chitoge, raising one heel into the air before bringing it down, stomping the back of Chitoge's head into the mat, a loud 'Oh!' from the audience following.
"Oh, man!" Cried Aioi. "Satsuki with a hard stomp to the mat! Is that enough?"
Satsuki had almost had a look of disgust as she stared down at Chitoge, who weakly rolled over onto her back with what appeared to be the last of her strength. Satsuki planted one heel on Chitoge's stomach. Referee Nagase dropped to the mat to count the pinfall. "1, 2, 3!"
The bell rang three times, with the timekeeper Onodera wearing a devastated look as she looked at the outcome.
"This winner of this match, Satsuki Kiryuin!" Tenma announced.
Referee Nagase raised Satsuki's hand in victory as the song she entered to played throughout the arena again.
"And Satsuki Kiryuin gets the victory and advances to round two along with Rias Gremory and Taiga Aisaka." Naganohara said. "A good effort by Chitoge, though, you can't discount that she put up a good fight, but she was outmatched."
"I think she kinda brought that outcome on herself." Aioi added. "She said earlier, 'What's she gonna do, beat me by stepping on me?', and, well, she did!"
"Well, putting that aside, it seems that even without her sword or her special power suit, Satsuki Kiryuin is a formidable opponent."
Satsuki picked up her sword from the side of the ring, strolling past Chitoge, who was currently being checked on by Nagase. She didn't even spare Chitoge so much as a glance, silently stepping through the ropes. The match's victor hopped off the apron, standing in front of the ring, looking out at the arena with the reserved look she usually wore. With one final glance around, she made her way back up the ramp.
"I wonder who the heck's gonna beat her?" Aioi wondered while the arena watched Satsuki depart. "She might end up being the champion at this rate!"
As she reached the top of the ramp, Satsuki turned her head slightly, looking back at the ring before disappearing through the entrance way she entered through, her song blaring throughout the arena still.
"Thank you for joining us, everyone!" Naganohara commented. "Don't forget to join us next week as the tournament continues! Good night!"