Haruka Date vs. Julia Rogers

Haruka felt a little bit more awake now. The weight was lifted off of her and Haruka moved a little. Her head was ringing like a church bell and Haruka was exhausted, like she had just run a marathon. In a way, she had. The match had been wall-to-wall action and both of the girls were flying around the ring. The Silent Phoenix clutched her aching head, before looking at Julia.

Her opponent was offering her a hand up, which Haruka appreciated. She gladly took it up and took a wobble, but soon found her legs and stood steady. "Thanks, you too." Haruka muttered. Her roving eyes found Julia's and then she looked away. She couldn't stand the shame of defeat. It was an experience that was all too familiar.

She hunched her shoulders and her eyes were downcast. Julia was trying to be friendly and a good sport and Haruka was grateful for that. But all losses stung and this one was stinging pretty bad.

As Haruka took her hand, Julia stood with the Silent Phoenix to help her get back to her feet. Haruka then turned her face away, and though she said nothing, the luchadora understood what was going through her head.

Still, Julia also understood just how proud and skilled a warrior Haruka was. And regardless of the outcome, there was not a single doubt in anyone's mind that both women had given everything they had in the ring tonight. And so, still holding Haruka's hand, Julia then turned to the crowd and raised the hand of the Silent Phoenix. The fans in attendance roared their approval of Haruka's intense efforts, and within moments a chorus of chants for her rang out through the arena.

And after a moment, Julia released the woman's hand while turning to face her again, and bowed to the Japanese woman as a sign of respect. "It was an honor being able to face someone like you. I hope we get a chance to stand in the ring together again someday, Haruka." Julia knew the proud woman wasn't happy about the outcome of the match, but she was dead set on making sure Haruka was given the proper respect and recognition due to her before either of them left the arena tonight.

Haruka appreciated the bow. Her usual stone face was turned into a smile that was tinged with sadness. She had lost, but she had fought nobly and well. The Silent Phoenix returned the bow, bending over with a wonky grace. "We should be so lucky. But for now, fare well." Haruka turned to go back up the entrance ramp. The crowd's cheers had subsided.

She felt like she was all alone. There were thousands of fans and an opponent and a ref and Haruka still felt alone. Her career had not been spectacular ever since she had been at AFW and this wasn't what she needed to turn it around. But this was a setback and not the end of the world. The walk up the entrance ramp, even if it felt lonely, was a walk to another beginning.

As Haruka went back into the staging area she waved towards the medical staff. She wanted to have her everything checked. This match had taken a lot out of her.

Once Haruka had taken her exit, Julia was left the lone woman in the ring. The cheers had begun to die down now that they had come to the end of things, but there were still some that echoed through the arena.

Julia gave a bow to the fans, then moved to step through the ropes and exit the ring as well. She winced in pain as she moved, bringing a hand to cover her still aching ribs, but the exhausted blonde managed to make it onto the ramp alright. And from there, she smiled and waved to the crowd while sluggishly limping her way to the back.

This was her second victory in the AFW, though Haruka had made her work with everything she had to get it. And she had genuinely meant what she'd said about hopefully getting to compete against her once again. Though, that would be for another day. For now, an appointment with the trainer to check out her ribs was in order. She could only hope they were just bruised, and nothing worse beyond that. Regardless, Julia was proud of the way she had fought tonight against an incredibly skilled opponent.

Winner: Julia Rogers via pinfall