Alaina Sanders and Kat Hart had entered the ring. Both of them had gotten their fair share of cheers, and the arena was abuzz with the excitement that only names as big as theirs could bring. There was no doubt that a match between the two of them, at the main event of Fight the LAW, would have itself been a match to remember. But as much as any of the fans cheered, every single one of them knew it wasn't over - and that the biggest pop was yet to come. There was still one more woman in this match who needed to make her entrance...and that was the champion herself, Astrid Ostberg.
Astrid had no shortage of success that she could boast of, too. It wouldn't be the first time she was involved in a three-way match where the Heavyweight Championship was under contention - she had won the belt on
just such an occasion. It wasn't her first time facing a veteran with as storied a career as Alaina Sanders when she had seen through a heated feud against
Cyber Widow, and she had taken on
Dana Ashford as well. Nor was it her first time taking on new, up-and-coming talent; she had taken a challenge from
Tina Kelley, a rising star in the making who had seen Astrid as her aspiration, who had been motivated to claw her way up to her level, and who had kept up with the champion through a respectable effort that nearly led to her taking the title. She had represented the Heavyweight Championship around the world, wrestling in multiple promotions and in multiple countries, on multiple continents, and at every turn she had shown the world she was every bit worthy of carrying the honors she did. But this was shaping up to be her greatest challenge yet - and yet, Astrid was prepared for it. She was always ready to do her best, and this was no exception.
"And finally!" the announcer proclaimed, their voice nearly drowned out by the uproar of cheers that came even before Astrid's name had been so much as called.
"The reigning Heavyweight Champion herself! The woman who's carried this belt through LAW and beyond, defending not just her title, but the legacy of her family name, and the honor of her division! She's taken on champions and challengers alike, and tonight, she's stepping up to an even greater challenge! From Stavanger, Norway! At 6'1 and 188 pounds!! ASTRIIIIID OSTBERG!!"
If the fans were cheering loudly before, it was hardly even comparable to the burst of energy the arena experienced now. Astrid's music began to play, a set of sparklers burst into a shower of sparks and smoke at either side of the ramp, and the Norsewoman herself descended the ramp, a furry robe around her shoulder and the belt in a place of prominence around her waist. She raised her fists over her head and looked up at the sky, welcoming the cheers she was showered with, but then she set her sights on the ring, beginning a determined march to where she would meet her next contenders.
Though Astrid kept a proud and stoic look on her face, at the back of her mind, she had her own questions running through her head. The last time she had appeared on a LAW PPV, it had been against Rose Gold in a
Champion vs. Champion match, one where Astrid was out to stand up to Rose for her dishonorable ways...and one that Astrid had, ultimately, lost at the last minute, in no small part due to luck on Rose's behalf. But what stood out to her even more was what came after that match, where Thereisa Neidermeyer
all but caused a riot when she accused Astrid of dishonoring the belt - the very belt she had devoted her life to upholding and honoring. It had stung Astrid ever since, and even though she had worked hard to reclaim her image - taking on new challenges, stepping up to greater and greater risks in the name of showing she could be the strong champion LAW deserved - she had to ask herself if it would be enough. But hopefully, this would be the match that would lay it all to rest. Astrid knew that both Alaina and Kat were more than capable foes. If she could put herself up against them and still come out on top, she could prove herself the champion she knew she was meant to be.
When Astrid came to the ring, she stepped up onto the apron, slipping off her robe and folding it neatly before she stepped through the ropes. She took her belt off and held it high over her head to present it to the fans, who cheered her once again, before setting it back down over her shoulder. Then, placing her hands on her hips, she took a step closer, looking over at Kat, and then Alaina, and nodding her head to each.
"Believe me," she said,
"It's an honor. Alaina, to finally get a chance to meet you in the ring, after so long I've known you in LAW, and after I've known you even longer from TV. And Kat, from one champion to another - I have nothing but respect for not only your skills, but your dedication to your title. If I have any regrets, it's not taking you on sooner - both of you. I feel like there's nothing I could say today that I haven't said so much better before, so I'll leave it brief...both of you have worked hard, and you both deserve to stand where you're standing now. All that's left for you...is to prove you can take it that step further. So I have to ask...you think you have what it takes?" She lifted an arm, flexing a powerful bicep as she flashed a winning smile to the two challengers, while she gave the front plate of her belt a pat with the other hand.