[SOF-1] Only Fall Match [FINAL]

[SOF-1] Only Fall Match [FINAL]

Tale of the Tape
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Rin Yuuki: T:154 cm / B:81cm / W:56cm / H:83cm
Shinobu Sasaki: T:170 cm / B:85cm / W:63cm / H:90cm

LINK: AKIBACOM

Now here we are-the final act. The curtain call. The round that determines the winner of the match. If you've been following my posts, you know by now that we're all tied up.



Shinobu Sasaki took the first fall decisively, forcing her weight on the smaller Rin Yuuki. The second round had Rin hoisting her arm up in victory, using her speed advantage and different angles of attack to get Shinobu on the canvas for a three-count.







With a 1-1 tie, the next fall will determine the winner. So who has what it takes to get the job done?





The match opens with Shinobu on the offensive, bringing down her opponent for a quick pin. With a kick out, they lock up again, rocking back and forth to create an imbalance. With the proper kuzushi (creating a way to knock your opponent to the ground with little effort), anyone is eligible to be slammed to the mat. With a show of physical force (name) is down again. The referee off-screen slaps the mat.

"1…"

"2…"

Kick out!





The show goes on, ladies and gentlemen.



Both competitors square up again, and it is more of the same - an exchange of near falls that almost determine the end of the match.







Grunts of exertion can be heard from Rin and Shinobu alike as they continue to tug at each other for a chance at victory.





Body presses are in abundance for this opening match, as both Rin and Shinobu pin each other's shoulders to the mat. The referee must be getting tired of slapping his hand on the ring (LOL).









As they lock up again, Shinobu goes for the fall.





The referee counts:

"1..."

"2..."



With a groan, Rin wiggles her way out of the pin.





Rin goes for the fall.







"1..."





"2..."





Kick out!





Both competitors are panting as their figures collide against each other in defiance.





Shinobu has an outburst of her own, forcing Rin into another pinning combination.





The count echoes across the venue.

"1..."

"2..."





Rin breaks the fall again! Sugoi (awesome)! The exhaustion of the round is catching up with them as Shinobu begins to loosen her grip.







Rin is drained, too, as she tries to sneak away from her opponent. Trying to scoot towards the ropes, maybe Rin has a chance to escape once again.





With a quick burst of exasperation, Shinobu goes for the pin for the third time.

"1..."

Rin is crying out in desperation.

"2..."





It's looking like she will be able to break free.



Shinobu holds on for dear life as her constitution causes her to perspire under the effort of the struggle.

"3!"






The bell rings! Shinobu manages to get the fall after all! With a score of 2-1, Shinobu Sasaki is crowned the winner of the contest. Still weak from the match, Rin remains motionless on the canvas. Overall, this is a good match of the short-lived "Only Fall Match" series. This production was created some time ago, but it still holds up to this day. I wonder how Japanese fans would react to something like this coming out now. Since there tends to focus on submissions nowadays, maybe concepts like these will remain in yesteryear. However, with the addition of custom matches, perhaps something like this could make a resurgence for the right amount of coin. Keep those fingers crossed! In the meantime, be sure to pick up Only Fall Match Volume 1. Witness some of the early origins of the BATTLE genre. Who knows, you might make Rin and Shinobu smile.

LINK: AKIBACOM