Feb. 22, 2013 - Athena Pro

[Deleted]

Athena Pro - Feb. 22

Junior Title Contender's Gauntlet
Hikaru Shida, Chii Tomiya, Lisa Cheng, Io Shirai, Natsuki*Taiyo
1. Gauntlet Match
2. Gauntlet Match
3. Gauntlet Match
4. Gauntlet Final Match
5. Cherry vs Dark Angel

JPP Junior Title Contender Gauntlet

Both of these tag team specialists are in their first singles match in quite some time. The recent excursion that Io and her sister Mio took to Mexico has rejuvenated them. Ion came out charging and never let Hikaru into the match. Io finished off the match in about 4 minutes with a Rider Kick
Io Shirai pinned Hikaru Shida with a Rider Kick

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JPP Junior Title Contender Gauntlet

Natsuki runs to the ring and goes right after Io before the bell even rings. The ref calls for the bell and Natsuki continues her attack. Natsuki continues on the assault and goes for the Taiyo Chan Spanish Fly but Io gets her knees up in time. Io grabs her arm and rolls her into the Magica de Io and gets the three count.
Io Shirai pinned Natsuki*Taiyo with the Magica de Io

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JPP Junior Title Contender Gauntlet

Io is Sitting on the mat in the corner as Chii walks to the ring. Chii is looking very confident as she climbs through the ropes. The ref calls for the bell. Io is still sitting in the corner, just watching Chii. The ref motions for Io to get up but Io ignores her. Chii taps her head like she has a plan. Chii reaches into her boot and pulls out a bill; she holds the bill towards Io. Io motions her to come closer. When Chii is close enough, Io grabs her hand and slings her into the turnbuckle. With Chii stunned, Io rolls her up and gets a quick three count.
Io Shirai pinned Chii Tomiya with a roll up

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JPP Junior Title Contender Gauntlet Final

Io has relied on experience skill and cunning to make it all the way through the gauntlet, but what does he have left for the final. Lisa comes to the ring for the biggest singles match of her short career. She holds out her hand for Io. When Io holds out her hand, Lisa pulls hers back and nods no and taps her head; Io smiles.
The ref calls for the bell. Io and Lisa circle around before locking up. Lisa’s height pays off as a leverage advantage forcing Io into the corner. When they bear, Lisa goes on the attack with her muay thai skills firing a volley of knees and elbows at Io. When Io hit’s the mat, she smartly bails out to the floor. Io uses every second of the ref’s count before sliding back into the ring. Lisa goes back on the attack utilizing her muay thai skills again. Lisa tries for a pin a couple times but Io narrowly escapes each time. Lisa continues her assault and has Io on the mat. Lisa goes to the top turnbuckle and comes off with a 450 splash. The ref makes the count but Io grabs the bottom rope just before 3.
Io pulls herself out to the floor. When the ref reaches 18, Lisa goes to the floor. Lisa grabs Io and rolls her into the ring. When Lisa slides back in, Io rolls back out. Lisa goes back out and Io slides back in. When Lisa comes back in, Io kicks the middle rope, crotching Lisa. Io grabs Lisa’s head and DDT’s her. Io goes to the top turnbuckle and comes off with the Thunder Splash. Io hooks both of Lisa’s legs and gets the three count.
Io Shirai pinned Lisa Cheng with the Thunder Splash to win the JPP Junior Title Contender Gauntlet

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Cherry gets a mixed reaction as she comes to the ring. Dark Angel gets a great pop from the crowd as she blows kisses to them. As the ref is checking Dark Angel, Kana comes to ringside. Dark Angel looks at Kana and makes the title belt gesture; Kana smiles at points at Cherry.
The ref calls for the bell and Dark Angel immediately rolls at Cherry. Cherry steps out of the way and Dark Angel rolls at her again. When Dark Angel pops up, she locks up with Cherry. After some pushing back and forth, Cherry grabs Dark Angel in a headlock. Dark Angel shoves Cherry off into the ropes. They begin criss-crossing off the ropes. Dark Angel suddenly stops in the middle of the ring, holds out her hand and yells “STOP”. Cherry stops, looking confused, and watches as Dark Angel swings her hips. While Dark Angel is doing her dance, Ramu Endo comes to ringside.
Cherry takes advantage of the distraction and dropkicks Dark Angel. Cherry does a little dance of her own and goes on the attack. Cherry has Dark Angel worn down and climbs to the top turnbuckle. While Cherry is up top, Gail Kim and Hiroyo Matsumoto come to ringside. The momentary distraction allows Dark Angel enough time to get her knees up to block Cherry’s Cherryton Bomb. Dark Angel uses her repertoire of lucha moves to keep Cherry off balance. Dark Angel grabs Cherry’s hand, springboards off the middle rope, but she’s tripped by Gail Kim when she gets to the other middle rope. Gail and Hiroyo come into the ring and attack Dark Angel. Ramu and Kana come in to save Dark Angel. Kana and Hiroyo are fighting while Gail and Ramu are fighting. Cherry hesitates before going after Dark Angel. There is fighting all over the ring. Dark Angel, Ramu and Kana get the advantage and chase off Gail, Hiroyo and Cherry.
The referee declares the match a no contest.

The show comes to an end with Dark Angel, Ramu and Kana waving for Gail, Hiroyo and Cherry to come back.

[Deleted]

Good show, though a Taiyo Chan Spanish Fly cannot be countered by someone putting their knees up, as it is essentially a Superplex, only the aggressor does a backflip while holding their opponent in the uranage position on the top turnbuckle. Io Shirai looked very good in winning the Jr. gauntlet, which I like the concept a lot. I always liked Mio better, but like the thinking in pushing Io, as both sisters are talented. The main event seemed like a pretty good match that will have bigger ramifications later, with Dark Angel looking pretty good. She could definitely be a World champion one day.