Match-of-the-Day: Kana v Melissa

Melissa awaits her celebrated opponent

All photos by David Falcon

Match-of-the-Day: October 25

Competitors: Kana v Melissa

Volume: 43 -- twelfth match

Time: (unknown, but over 10:00)

Finisher: Air Raid Crash

Highlight: Incredibly passionate match for the #1 Contender in SHIMMER.  Great build up with Kana's early wins and a groundswell of support for Melissa to win the SHIMMER crown at long last.  Awesome submission sequences as Melissa plays Kana's game.  Kana lightning strikes and Melissa's hard-hitting and techincal prowess.  Superb from start to Air Raid Crash finish (the preferred finisher of Melissa's ARSION mentor Mariko Yoshida). 

Key: Match winner's name is in bold & italics

Match times are approximate and not official

The World Famous Kana

"Wanna shake?"

 

Kana works the arm

Now it's Melissa's turn . . .

"Say what?"

Melissa struggles free

Kana lowers her center of gravity

Kana with a head lock

Kana concentrates

They square off again

Melissa targets Kana's lower back

Melissa zeroes in on Kana's leg

More leg work . . .

Melissa continues the leg theme with this submission hold

Kana crawls for the ropes

. . . and she gets there

Melissa with a choke hold

Kana finds some kick in her sore legs

Kana sets her up

Melissa stalks Kana

Melissa with a slam

Kana winces in pain

Kana on the attack

Kana unloads a kick

. . . and again

Kana's about to taste the canvas

Bang!!

Kana with an arm submission

Melissa reverses the hold

Melissa sets up her Air Raid Crash

The SHIMMER #1 Contender! Cheerleader Melissa!

Kana, the vanquished . . .

Kana bows out

(Please Come Back!)