JPN
HANAKO and Sakura Aya, both making their debuts on the same day, faced off in a one-on-one match at the Yokohama Budokan, the very place of their debuts. They were set to meet in the first round of the tournament. Both had experienced a variety of things in the past year, and they were going to bring all of that experience to this tournament.
Sakura intimidated with a low kick and they locked up for a test of strength. HANAKO cornered Sakura against the ropes and tried to throw her down. Sakura resisted and charged forward, but HANAKO sent her flying with a shoulder tackle and followed up with a series of stomps. HANAKO then delivered a series of body slams. When Sakura countered, HANAKO applied a reverse Boston crab. Sakura escaped and went in with an elbow. HANAKO taunted her, saying, "Is that all you've got?", "Do you even want to fight?", and "Try to counter that." Sakura landed a series of elbows, but HANAKO knocked her down with one. Sakura dodged HANAKO and delivered a dropkick. However, HANAKO did not fall and taunted Sakura with "Come on!", then took a series of elbows and knocked her down in one hit. HANAKO cornered Sakura and slammed her shoulder into her. When Sakura kicked out, HANAKO delivered a high body slam and a knee drop. When Sakura kicked out again, HANAKO threw her into the corner. Sakura reversed and delivered a knee attack followed by a dropkick. HANAKO got into position for a brainbuster from the apron. Sakura countered and climbed onto the corner. Sakura jumped but HANAKO dodged. They exchanged elbows outside the ring and HANAKO slammed her into the ring post. When Sakura came forward, HANAKO taunted her with "Come on!" and stood up to take her on. HANAKO delivered a brainbuster to the mat outside the ring. HANAKO returned to the ring at the 16 count, and Sakura also made it back in just in time. Sakura delivered a slap and a series of middle kicks. HANAKO catches Sakura and delivers an elbow to the knee, then applies an Argentine backbreaker. She slams Sakura into the corner and charges in. Sakura dodges and lands a series of knees, a spinning kick in the corner, and a soccer ball kick. She attempts a diving knee attack from the corner, but HANAKO counters. 10 minutes have passed. Sakura attempts a high kick, but HANAKO dodges it. HANAKO is dodged, but counters with a lariat. HANAKO shouts, "I'm going to finish this!" and goes from an Argentine backbreaker to a JP Coaster. Sakura lands and delivers a kick. Both are down. They get up at the 8 count, with 3 minutes remaining. They exchange elbows, with Sakura landing a series of blows. HANAKO prevents Sakura from running and delivers a body attack, followed by a dropkick from Sakura. HANAKO stops Sakura's charge and performs a Shirasagi. She lifts Sakura up, swings her, and slams her onto the mat. 2 minutes remaining. Sakura countered with an Argentine backbreaker, but HANAKO did it again. Sakura rolled her up for a pin, but it was only a two count. Sakura did a muzzlesaw, but it was also a two count. Sakura went for a triangle choke. HANAKO lifted her up and slammed her to the mat, but Sakura wouldn't let go. One minute left. HANAKO escaped, and Sakura landed a middle kick and a high kick from both sides. A spinning back kick also connected, but HANAKO's shoulder rose. Sakura charged, but HANAKO hit a big boot, then grabbed Sakura's middle kick and slammed her down forcefully. The time ran out, resulting in a draw and both were disqualified. After the match, HANAKO proudly displayed the NEW BLOOD Tag Team Championship belts. Sakura tried to take them, but HANAKO pushed her away.
"Last year I was absent for a long period and was unable to compete in Cinderella, so I was really looking forward to today, but I'm very disappointed that I lost. However, Hanako debuted on the same day as me and has always been ahead of me, and I've fought her many times, but today I finally felt like I got to see the look on her face that shows she's not at ease. In the next NB tag match, I will absolutely, absolutely take the belt from Hanako!"
"(While bleeding from a nose) My first match is against Sakura Aya, and we made our debut here, cried a lot here last year, and just before that I won my first match here, so for better or worse, this is the venue that holds so many memories for me, and I think this is my third time facing Sakura. We had a singles match, and at the press conference Sakura didn't seem motivated, so to be honest, I wondered how the match would go. But during the match, I don't know, but it felt like it's been a while since I saw Sakura's serious face. On March 27th, I'll be fighting Sakura for this belt, and even if today's match ends in a draw, I will definitely beat Sakura next time and defend this belt."