On The Rise: Piper Sherwood vs Kimiko Bando for the AFW Rising Star Championship

Making a debut against a champion for the title? Kimiko felt confused, overwhelmed, and excited all at once. She had barely ever even set foot in an AFW ring outside of a few matches and spars in private in front of a few staff members just trying to get used to having an audience. Did they like her that much? Did she impress them this much? Was she the only option they had that could face the champion? So many thoughts and questions ran though her mind though she forced herself to relax, sitting down and taking a few deep breaths calming herself down for a few moments before reopening her eyes. If she did beat the champion is would most certainly be one hell of a way to debut but that would likely be easier said than done.

Kimiko:

Clad in her red, white, and black attire Kimiko looked in the mirror, wanting to make sure she looked her best for her debut despite some likely comparing this debut to climbing Everest with nothing but your bare hands given the challenge it presented, but also the opportunity. Kimiko faintly smiled, still nervous but more calm than she was when she found out about the match. She then left the locker room and headed towards the curtains smiling and nodding at the staff members who passed her though she had to have nodded about thirty times with how busy things were backstage, it was almost like a beehive.

Finally reaching the curtain Kimiko used the remaining time she had to stretch her arms and back wanting to be nice and loose for the upcoming bout. After about a minute and the sound of her opponent's music subsiding Kimiko's began and she quickly stepped out onto the stage getting a few cheers from the crowd excited to see some brand new talent. Stopping in the middle of the stage Kimiko made a simple pose pointing to the ceiling with both hands, arms extended all the way before lowering them and walking down to the ring giving a few fans high fives on her way down the ramp until she was at ringside. Walking up the steel steps Kimiko smiled and blushed with excitement seeing how her first appearance in front of a large crowd seemingly went well if not perfect so far. Stepping in between the ropes Kimiko walked to her corner, waiting for the match to begin as she stared at her opponent giving her a friendly smile before giving her a friendly wave.

Kimiko didn't mean to come off as cocky, she was just happy to finally debut and was new to the spotlight, it was something she enjoyed deeply though when she finally reached her corner and prepared herself for the match she was put off by her opponent's smile, there was something different, something sinister about it but all that needed to be pushed aside as the two met in the center of the ring and the referee went over the rules before signaling for the bell, though it seemed her opponent wasn't ready to start quite yet as she barely made a move and Kimiko glanced down to see the woman holding her hand out for a handshake, always a good sport Kimiko quickly accepted the handshake only to be met with her opponent's fist to her jaw causing her to cry out and stumble backwards holding her face caught completely off guard by the dirty tactic.

The sucker punch may have dazed and stunned Kimiko but it didn't effect her hearing considering she heard the woman's mean and rude words. Kimiko wasn't paying attention but she could have swore someone ran past her, the effects of the sucker punch went away and Kimiko looked around in front of her, not sure where her opponent went until... "AH!" Kimiko cried out as pain shot through her knee and she fell to the mat!

As Kimiko fell she landed on her stomach but the reigning champ seemed far from done and even farther from giving her any form of respite as the woman grabbed her foot and pulled her leg up before suddenly the woman's foot came down on the back of her knee driving it into the mat while stomping on it all at once. A loud cry of pain escaped Kimiko's lips as she grabbed her own hair clawing it slighted before pulling her leg away holding her knee in pain!