The Next Challenge

[CaptainL]

It was that time again. LAW was gearing up for its next midyear PPV event, and after the success of last year's Fight the LAW in Long Beach, fans around the world were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the card. And there was no one on the roster they were more excited to see an update on than the reigning Heavyweight Champion, Astrid Ostberg. Although the previous supercard saw a few titles being defended, Astrid's wasn't one of them - instead, she faced off against the Lightweight Champion Rose Gold in a champion-versus-champion match. But as one of the promotion's top stars, and a champion who had her heart and soul put into representing the division on the world stage, it was only a matter of time before Astrid's next title match would be declared. It wasn't long ago that Aurora Estrella had put her name out as the next contender for the Lightweight Championship, so the next question on everyone's mind would be who would be challenging Astrid next.

Tonight, it seemed, they were about to find out! Astrid's music playing over the speakers triggered a burst of cheers as the champion walked down the ramp, dressed in a suit and with the belt slung over her shoulder. As she came to the ring, she turned back around to face the stands, holding the belt high over her head and welcoming another peal of applause. Then, though, she slipped it around her waist and reached for a microphone.

Spoiler

"Ladies and gentlemen," Astrid began, "to think, I've been Heavyweight Champion for two years now. And yet, every time I see the crowds that come out to greet me, it never fails to warm my heart. You all remind me of why I'm champion, and why I strive to put forth my best effort each and every time I set foot in the ring, because I know that I can't let any of you down. Nor can I stand to let myself down. I was raised in a family of wrestlers, and they taught me plenty of lessons about willpower, determination, commitment - and above all, a love for the art of wrestling that inspires me to shine on every day."

"Now, the time has come for me to start thinking about who I'll face next. Who's next on the list to come forth as worthy of aiming for the belt I wear around my waist, right here." She pat at her belt. "I may be at the top of my division, but I can't deny that I've faced many opponents that truly gave me a run for my money. Everyone I've faced with my championship on the line was worthy of the title of number-one contender - and there are so many other women in this division who also deserve that honor, women that I haven't yet had the privilege of facing. The only question on my mind is this one - who will it be next?"

"I know that Alaina Sanders has had her eyes on me for a long while now. We go back before I even won the belt. She was an aspiration to me when I was growing up just as much as my father was, and it's been a true honor to have met her face to face, let alone to work for the same promotion she does. The one thing I've yet to achieve is to face her in the ring, but I know it's a match many have been clamoring for. Some have asked the question of how well I would fare against Alaina in her prime. And to me...to even ask that question is an insult to the Amazon. It might have been a few years since Alaina won the USWW American Championship, but even today she's easily on my level. She was wrestling for fifteen years straight before she came to LAW, and she's been there from the beginning, even before I signed. You can't have a career that long without learning a couple of things from it - and she must have learned plenty, considering it led to her winning 14 championships between then and now! If she was out to add one to that number, then she would certainly make me work hard to retain my position."

"And then, there's Kat Hart - the Super Kitty, the crown jewel of the SWAT Cats, and one third of our current World Tag Team Champions. It's my understanding that Kat's interested in my title, too, and I would be lying if I said that, having seen some of her work, she isn't on my list of dream opponents as well. If you ask me, Kat's got champion material written all over her - she's personable, she has an unforgettable look, she's traveled around the world building a name for herself, and most importantly of all, of course, she's a damn good wrestler to boot! All of that should be no surprise, considering she was among the inaugural winners of our Tag Team Championship - no easy task, when she had to brave a gauntlet of capable teams - but if I know one thing about Kat, it's that - just like me - she's going to reach for the top, no matter what, and she won't settle for anything as long as there's something else to strive for out there on the horizon. It's on her wish list to become a Grand Slam Champion here in LAW, and if she wants to reach for the prize...well, she's got the chance to make that dream one step closer to reality right here."

"There's plenty of other women out there who could take a shot at me. Drasna Selinofoto, Kanata Yamamoto, Aculina Aslanov...we're truly proud to have one of the deepest and most diverse rosters in wrestling today. But whoever wants to take a shot at me...I'm standing by to hear the challenge now. Make no mistake, the final decision still lies with Dan, Celeste, and everyone else backstage - but it takes more than being a name out of a hat to be truly worthy of the title of number-one contender. It takes guts, it takes bravery, and it takes confidence! And what I'm looking for tonight is someone who can embody those things! To all of you out there waiting for your chance...your chance is now!"

[Highfly]

Astrid and the crowd did not have to wait long before the speakers began playing the entrance music of "Amazon" Alaina Sanders-Haines. She came out smiling ear to ear and holding her muscular arms out. She was actually dressed for an event so instead of wrestling attire the crowd saw Alaina emerge with her hair done up, earrings, eye liner, lipstick, a pearl necklace and a glittering gold dress with long slits up each side showing plenty of leg. The 5'9'' Alaina was also strutting her stuff in white high heels, a rarely seen footwear for the wrestling amazon. She flexed and winked at the crowd before pointing to them, high fiving some fans as she did a catwalk down the ramp.

Alaina walked up the ring steps, grabbing the turnbuckle and swinging out, flexing a bicep before running that hand through her hair. She stepped through the ropes and held her arms out soaking up the cheers of the fans before calling for a mic. One was thrown to her and she caught it, nodding to the staffer before looking over at Astrid.

"Astrid, you have been one hell of a heavyweight champion that is for sure. Your reign has been impressive and I know you come from a wrestling family first-hand." Alaina said as she paced, smiling and looking at the younger champion. "However if you want a challenger to come and end that reign look no further. I beat your dad in the middle of a ring when the fans over in Europe were telling me that 'a muscle bloated American brute of a woman has no business in the ring with a male wrestler, there is no way she can win.' But I did win. I will happily be the first wrestler male or female to beat two generations of the Ostberg family in a wrestling ring." Alaina said as the fans cheered. "I may be 47 years old but I will say I am the strongest women in LAW pound for pound. I can take a beating and keep coming. I am the amazon and the wrestling ring is my jungle." Alaina said, laying on the cheese and not really caring. She knew the kids would find that line funny, or embarrassing.

Alaina waited a moment before addressing the pink elephant, or masked Kat so to speak. "You also mentioned Kat Hart. I would say since my comeback she has a leg up on me because of our last outing as a tag team. She is an amazing wrestler and an amazing woman in general. She can do anything you can think of in the ring.... sounds familiar doesn't it?" Alaina said, pointing a thumb at her own chest. "I came back to wrestle in 2017. It is 2022 and even though I have won more matches in LAW than any woman in the history of the promotion I haven't had gold around my waist in the longest title draught of my career. I will do whatever I have to in order to get in the ring with you Astrid with that championship on the line. You want me to prove it by beating Kat? I will. Do you want me to run a gauntlet through all the SWAT Kats and pin their asses? I will. You name it and I will do it to prove I am the real #1 contender for the Heavyweight Championship but I think that my resume here in LAW speaks for itself and this 'old lady' is the rightful contender for that right there." Alaina said pointing to the championship belt before crossing her arms, her smile disappearing replaced by a serious and stern look.

[CaptainL]

When Astrid issued her challenge, all she'd thought of doing was stirring up discussion - getting her next potential challengers thinking about making their move, and whetting the fans' appetite for when her title would next be on the line. She hadn't expected to actually have any takers show up. But to her shock, when she looked up, not only was Alaina Sanders herself coming down the ramp to greet her, but she was dressed up for the occasion, too! Astrid raised an eyebrow as she passed; evidently, she had been waiting for just this moment to make her intentions known. And what was more, she certainly cut an imposing presence, with her rock-solid muscled physique rippling with each step she took, while at the same time never letting down the sense of grace and glamor she put forth in her glittering gold dress - which didn't even hold her back as she vaulted over the turnbuckle, drawing a few cheers! Alaina looked like the image of confidence and pride - which, to Astrid, told her she was exactly the kind of person who deserved to challenge her for the belt.

With Alaina entering the ring, Astrid took a step back to give her some space to speak. She nodded her head to all she said, chuckling at some of the old stories she recognized from what her father had told her. But Alaina knew when to get serious, too, and when she reached the end of her speech, she looked back up at Astrid with a determined look that told her that she would be treating this matter with the dignity it deserved. This opportunity meant everything to Alaina, and she would do nothing less than her best when it came to achieving it. That told Astrid what she wanted to know - Alaina was the right person for the job.

The ball was back in Astrid's court, and she nodded her head to the veteran. "Whether or not the next challenger is to end my reign, that I can't tell," the Norsewoman continued. "In every match I've defended my title, I've fought my hardest and strived to do my very best. That isn't about to change any time soon, and I fully intend to win - I intend to keep this belt for as long as it takes me to find an opponent worthy of taking it off me, whether that's a month or twenty years. But if there's anyone I think stands a chance of it, it would be you, Mrs. Sanders." Astrid smiled to Alaina, giving her another short bow.

"Like I said, it's not the first time we've met face to face, but it's a true honor to be in the ring with you right now. You're absolutely right when you say that this could well be your second time taking down an Ostberg, and that it's been the longest you've gone in your career without taking home the gold. You've got the motivation to carry you forward, and your winning streak in this company will tell anyone that you have the strength and skill. But though you may have the experience from facing my father, I'm Astrid Ostberg - not Lars. I'm my own person, and I believe in developing a style all my own so that this family can continue to forge forward and become better and stronger than ever, not languishing in the past. If you were to take me on, it would be no easy task, to be sure. But if there's one thing I know about you, Alaina, it's that that's never stopped you in the past. And take it from me now - if I had to lose my title to anyone, I'd be hard-pressed to think of anyone more I could count on to give it the respect it deserves."

As she took a step forward, Astrid held her hand out toward Alaina, standing up straighter. "So, if all is said and done, and we're both here...shall we make it official? Fight the LAW 2, Ostberg vs. Sanders, for the Heavyweight Championship! What do you say?" The mere prospect was enough to send up a cheer from the fans. The question now was how Alaina would respond!

[winner3]

None could deny that the history between Alaina and Astrid set them up perfectly as rivals. Both women were among the very best heavyweights at LAW. Both women could rightfully count themselves among the very best wrestlers in the world today, perhaps even among the best in wrestling history. The story between them even transcended LAW. As the two prepared to shake hands and set their match in stone, ringside commentators and fans everywhere speculated on whether or not Alaina would make good on her words and amass massive wins over two generations of Ostbergs, or whether or not Astrid would undisputably cement her place at the top of the heavyweight division by besting Sanders on the grand stage with a prestigious title on the line!

Truly, this rivalry was a story that wrote itself in the best way possible. It was a story that fans the world over were vocally invested in! And just as it seemed we were about to turn the page and arrive at a new chapter in their rivalry, as Alaina considered shaking the hand that the champ extended to her...

Entrance Music

Katherine Hart

Music once again started up on the stadium speakers! A familiar tune permeated the atmosphere. The audience sang along as LAW's Super Kitty made her appearance at the top of the entrance ramp, clad in a form-fitting dress of her own!

With a wide smile on her face and one of the tag team championship belts draped over her shoulder, Katherine Hart's appearance drew yet another audible pop and cheers from the crowd! It wasn't often that the fans got to see her with makeup and accessories like this. The masked woman turned every head in the arena as she made her way down the ramp. Sounds of whistles and swooning could be heard in the front row at ringside as the tag champ drew closer to the ring. Kat winked and waved to some of them, but her focus would find its way back to the ring in short order. Though she was certainly capable of vaulting into the ring apron and then over the top rope, she chose not to, opting to scale the steel steps of the ring instead. Though her heels were shorter than Alaina's, it was a closely guarded secret of hers that for all her athleticism and technical wrestling ability, she abhorred having to pull off such stunts in heels.

As she scaled the steps, one of the production crew members at ringside handed her a live mic. Kat would quickly duck between the middle and top ropes and join Astrid and Alaina in the center of the ring.

Kat paused for a moment. The crowd got hot. A confident, yet mirthful, fulfilled grin was plastered onto her face as everyone took in the moment. She gave it a few seconds for everyone to get their reactions out before adjusting the gold over her shoulder and bringing her mic to her face to speak.

"I know, I know. I love it, too! Astrid Ostberg, Alaina Sanders, and Kat Hart, whether it's a match or not, we're all sharing the same ring for the first time ever and it's moments like this that make me love professional wrestling. It's moments like this that make me love professional wrestling fans for treasuring us and what we do." Kat would turn gesture toward the fans before returning her attention to Ostberg and Sanders, eyeing both women up and down briefly before continuing.

"Astrid, it's good to finally meet you face to face. You look great in a suit, I have to say. And Alaina, Allie, honey, we go way back. It's really, really good to see you so fired up. Ready to take on anyone, to do anything at all prove that you're the very best at what you do. That's who you are, that's who you've always been. And that's the Alaina Sanders that I'd be happy to wrestle time and time again until I can't do this anymore, heh..."

"But let me not bring us any more off the rails than I already have. I know what the timing looks like. I didn't come here to crash the party and demand to take precedence over Alaina when it comes to contention for the heavyweight title. That's not like me, that's never been me. I wanna make that perfectly clear. No, I came here fashionably late after getting dolled up for a photoshoot backstage. And like some of the women you mentioned, Astrid, like Drasna, like Kanata, like Aculina, I heard my name. I heard my name come out of both your mouths, and I'm honored to be a part of the important conversations. Truly, I am." Cheers from the audience followed.

"I think we've all had a hand in helping put eyes on the heavyweight division. It is the biggest and most diverse it's ever been and I like to think that the three of us are indeed paragons of this division and this company. Any of the three of us could be credible and believable heavyweight champions. Any of the three of being champion adds credibility and builds upon the legacy of that belt, and for my money, any belt in this company, including the World Openweight Championship!"

"Which brings me to my point. Alaina, Astrid, I've stated it very publicly before, in an interview with Alaina, in an interview with Lexy, Astrid knows full well that I have a strong desire to be Heavyweight Champion because my dream is to become the first Grand Slam Champion in this great company's history!"

"Alaina....Astrid....I recognize that the rivalry between you two runs deep. I do. And if you wanna go ahead and shake on that match at the second Fight The LAW coming up, you absolutely can. I think the match will be an absolute barn burner. I think either of you is fully capable of continuing to carry this division and this company forward! I know exactly what this looks like coming from me. A woman with one championship that has her eyes set on another. I get that. I do. Like I said, if you wanna have one on one and settle it with me later, you can do just that. I'll accept it and you won't hear another word out of me until you two wrestle. I just have a simple request...." Kat said while holding up her index finger.

"I'm not coming in here acting like I'm owed anything, even this. Many would say that my resume and accomplishments speak for themselves. But I'm not going to act like I'm entitled to a shot like so many women in the back do on social media? No, any good contender in pro wrestling must prove their worth, any contender worth their salt has to show that they have earned their shot at a championship or a big opportunity in this sport, just as any good champion must prove themselves a worthy champion by elevating themselves and everyone around them to fight at their level!"

"I truly believe that and I always will...so before you two shake hands with anyone. Before you promise a heavyweight title match on a grand stage like Fight The LAW, Alaina and Astrid, I only ask that you let me plead my case...for a shot....at that championship...." Kat would finish by pointing at the red belt on Astrid's person.

[CaptainL]

It was down to this. With Alaina's arrival on the scene, Astrid's attention turned to a woman who had long been on her radar, and the feeling was mutual. Alaina had followed her career ever since Astrid had first come to LAW, and ever since Astrid had won the title, her interest was only deepened. The two had long been friendly rivals in their encounters outside the ring, whether it be sparring or going head to head in other contests. And in terms of her standing in the Heavyweight Division, if Astrid was at the top, then Alaina couldn't be far behind - she had excelled in all her matches, and she had the record to prove it. Many, looking back at this moment, would theorize if Astrid had Alaina in mind when she opened the challenge to the next contender for her championship. Either way, though, it seemed like she was about to get what she wanted - and as Alaina extended her hand, Astrid took a step closer, ready to take it.

But it was right at that moment that another challenger approached - as Kat Hart made her entrance on the scene! Immediately, Astrid broke away from where she stood before Alaina, standing at her side with her hands on her hips as she looked Kat up and down. "My...everybody's getting dressed up tonight, aren't they?" Of course, that was no surprise. This was a big event, after all - an event that could shape the future of LAW. And as Kat was sure to announce, she was just as invested in being there for it as anyone else!

"Why, thank you," the Norsewoman replied to Kat's compliments, flashing a grin and flexing her bicep. It warmed her heart to hear such praise of how she was carrying the belt, and what it was doing for the division. She smiled a little wider knowing that Kat had her faith in her and Alaina to deliver what was sure to be a great match. But by the end of her speech, one thing was clear. Kat Hart intended to be in the running for Heavyweight Championship at one point or another!

The fans were right behind her - as the masked woman announced her intentions, cheers and chants broke out through the stands. For a moment, Astrid stood there, watching their reaction, and occasionally glancing back at Kat and Alaina to monitor how they would react. It left her with a dilemma - both seemed like ideal options for her next challenger. But soon enough, Astrid had her mind made up. She knew how she was going to proceed.

She cleared her throat, taking a step forward as she cleared the microphone. "Let me first say, Ms. Hart," Astrid began, "that your arrival is a surprise, to be certain. And it isn't an unwelcome one! To hear your words, and how high your hopes are for me to carry my championship, fills me with a sense of dedication. Each time I go into the ring, I want to do my best, knowing that all of my fans are watching me closely. Now, I know you'll be watching me too - and when I know that a fellow champion, with as esteemed a career as yours, is watching me, I'll be sure to be extra careful to make you proud!" She laughed at her own joke. "But make no mistake, it truly is an honor. To think, when I was a little girl, watching my father wrestle on TV, I never imagined that one day I would go on to inspire others in the same way. I knew I would be wrestling, sure - but I didn't know I'd ever make it quite this far! I'd like to take a step back, for all the folks watching this at home, and appreciate for a moment that we have three generations of influence standing in the ring right now. Alaina, you were always an inspiration to me. You helped me reach these heights. And it was because of that that I was able to be where I am today - where I've gone on to uplift and inspire you, Kat, and where I continue to to this day. It's moments like this, I think, that makes me realize how thankful I am to be working for LAW. It wouldn't be possible without all the hard work our CEO put in to make this day a reality."

Astrid's words brought on a few "L-A-W! L-A-W!" chants, and she paused a moment before she continued. "Ladies, believe me when I say, I know how much this means to both of you. And it's truly an honor to know that I have you both so invested in facing me. You've both made your cases, and you've made them well. Alaina, this has been a match that's been brewing for a long time, and I think now is as much a time as ever for us to deliver on it. Kat, you're a star of this division, and I have no doubt that a match with you would be one we would all remember for a long time. I would like nothing more than to honor your requests. And, in truth, I don't think that I could in good conscience accept either one of your offers, knowing I would have to turn down the other. Ideally, I would like both matches to happen. You've really made it hard to decide."

"But..." Astrid took a step forward. "Perhaps it doesn't have to be an either-or, after all! Lest we forget, it was a triple threat match against Linda Halloween and Cali McCloud where I won this belt. Even you, Kat, helped win your team the title in a gauntlet against several other teams. There's nothing saying that a title can only be defended in a one-on-one match. And if that is the case..." She cracked her knuckles, bringing her fists together. "Then perhaps, to honor both of your offers, I should face the two of you!"

A gasp went through the crowd, but Astrid was undeterred. She stepped up to the two women, now offering a hand to each. "It will be no easy task, for sure. Both of you are accomplished wrestlers, and you could really test me. But I have faith in my strength - and what better a way to prove it than by taking on both of you at once? In my eyes, any of us stands just as much of a chance of being champion by the end of Fight the LAW. So why don't we leave it up to the best woman to win it all?"

[Highfly]

When Kat first appeared Alaina looked a bit confused even if she wasn't surprised. Alaina smiled a bit and stood with her arms crossed. She was ready to kick her shoes off and wrestle in a #1 contender match tonight if she had to.

However as each woman spoke she could already see what was coming. The crowd really seemed behind the idea, so who was Alaina to say that it wasn't for the best?

A smiling Alaina raised the mic to her mouth again and had her turn to talk. "Well this is a nice surprise isn't it? Kat it is good to see you down here and I agree with Astrid! Triple threat matches are always chaotic fun, and the way I see it when I beat two women to get the heavyweight championship that will silence the nay-sayers out there who say I am too old to wrestle at my peak. Honestly the more I think about it the more fired up I am!" Alaina called out putting on an appearance of total confidence.

However inside the amazon was feeling a little something unfamiliar to her inside a wrestling ring: Doubt. Astrid beat Alaina in a fitness contest at the beach, not a big deal. She also took Alaina in a spar at the gym both women treated like an actual match. Kat and the SWAT Kats were now 2-1 against The Thundergirls including winning a match with a championship on the line. Alaina winning record against Kat back in USWW years ago winning a championship from Kat then defending it successfully against her seemed like a lifetime ago, like it was fiction not fact.

In the ring Alainas confident smirk remained though before she strut confidently in a circle around the other two women. "I have won more championships and have more big match experience than just about any wrestler out there. Here in LAW I have won more matches than any woman on the roster. I have wrestled more matches than anyone on the roster, a 47 year old soccer mom wrestler isn't supposed to be able to pull that off but here I am. I am also not supposed to beat two women young enough in their primes for a title but I am going to make the impossible a reality once again." Alaina said with a smile, blowing a kiss to the fans and waving before settling back into a spot near her fellow wrestlers.

[winner3]

Emotions ran high for many in the arena. This match meant a great deal to each of these women. It was hard to believe it really might happen! Now that the option was on the table, the reality of the match happening began to set in! That this LAW Heavyweight Title Match may very well shape up to be a pivotal match in LAW's history!

Brave faces were put on but there was certainly an air of tension. Just how deep did the implications of a match this big run? After hearing Alaina speak, Kat was more than happy to be frank about how deep this ran for her...

"Heh, triple threat match? Winner takes all?" Hart mused. The crowd seems to cheer the thought of her entertaining the idea.

"I like it. I certainly didn't see this coming! But I like it. Not just for me. But for all of us. If I put myself in the champ's shoes, if I'm Astrid Ostberg, I can't think of a better match to cement my legacy in. I mean, she's taken on some tough customers. But I don't think it would be out of turn for me to say that you mixing it up with Katherine Hart of Alaina Sanders, individually, let alone in a triple threat match, would be the single biggest challenge you could throw yourself into as a champion. I mean, you win this match and you basically cement yourself at the top until the Openweight Championship comes around."

"But something similar could be said for all three of us, can't it? I could walk out of the match a double champion. Alaina could walk out with the belt that she came so close to tasting at the end of the Heavyweight Title Tournament."

"I can't tell you how excited I am for this I can't begin to tell you how much that match would mean to me. But I'm gonna try to."

"I don't think any of the three of us will have any trouble laying it all on the line and baring our souls to one another when the time comes at Fight The LAW. So if it's all the same to you ladies, I wanna bare just a little bit of my soul to the both of you, right now in front of the entire world! This match will have ramifications for the landscape here at LAW. And there's a lot to be said about it." Kat began to pace very slowly. She treaded near Alaina as she recounted her relationship with The Amazon.

"I've known Alaina Sanders a long time. We have something of a storied history together as....friends and as rivals. I have a deep love and respect for this woman- for The Amazon. I'm intimately familiar with her family. I've babysat her kids more than once. In about ten years' time or so, I could very well be training them or even wrestling them in this very ring! And the very thought of being a part of little Carl or Anna's journey into pro wrestling fills me with passion and love for them, for Alaina, and for this great sport!" Kat poured her heart out and the fans in attendance and the viewers watching at home resonated with her feelings here. After a brief crowd reaction, the masked woman turned her attention to Ostberg and slowly began to approach her.

"Astrid, I'm not as familiar with you but I do know of your work, of course. At most, we've shared locker rooms and traveled to shows together. I hope it comes across as believable to you when I say that I hope someday soon, we can call each other friends."

"From one champion in this company to another, I can only hope that in my efforts over the years at this company, that over the course of my LAW career, being here since day 1, that I've managed to inspire you with my work the same way you've managed to inspire me with yours. That I've caught your eye for all the same reasons that you've caught mine. That you're as excited to further the legacy of this company, of that title, and of both of our careers by throwing everything and the kitchen sink at each other at Fight The LAW and seeing who's still standing when the smoke clears!" 

"Ladies, if I may, and I'm sorry I've gone on like this; I don't know if Alaina or anyone else warned you ahead of time champ- I realize that I talk a lot. But if you take away anything from what I've said to you tonight, please come away with this: I look to wrestlers like Astrid Ostberg, like Alizeh Midori, and so on, and I see the success of wrestling dynasties on the world stage at this great company; and I look to wrestlers like Alaina Sanders and Dana Ashford, and I see the genesis of more wrestling dynasties at LAW."

"Do you know the reason I NEED to cement my legacy as a Grand Slam Champion here? It's because when I lace up my boots, when I put on my mask, when I step into a LAW ring, the only family that I'M fighting for is the little girl in the front row looking up at us with stars in her eyes wondering if one day she can be like one of the three women standing in this right now! The family that I'M fighting for are the young adults up there in the nosebleed seats that set aside wages, allowance, or what have you for weeks just to get a seat to try and see one of their favorites appear live tonight! The only family that I'M fighting for are the students that show up early and leave late from the wrestling schools for the lessons, the workshops, and the drills because they're giving it their all and committing their lives to this just as we have! The family that I'M fighting for is every man, woman, and child in this arena, and all of them watching across the world!"

"I NEED to cement my legacy at this company as a Grand Slam Champion?! It's not for ego, it's not for self-gratification! It's because I wanna prove that you can come from nothing and be the very best in the modern era, EVEN if you have no connections to this industry before coming into it! I have built my legacy in this industry as a wrestler and a champion of the people! I've made it my mission to become a beacon and an example that ANYONE, fan, wrestler, promoter, ANYONE can connect with deep down and resonate with based solely on a love of this sport and love for others, and for what we do inside and outside of this ring!"

"If it's not too forward of me, if I don't presume too much, Astrid I don't think it's too off base to say that when it comes to your goals in this sport, you're driven by your desire to be the best you can be....Alaina, I know for sure you're driven by your desire to be the very best, period...."

"But me? All I want and all I have ever wanted is to leave this industry and this medium in a better place than it was before I started wrestling."

"And I've decided that to do that, I will set an example I believe in- that everyone can believe in. To do that, I will become a household name. To do that, I will etch my name into the annals of wrestling history and prove myself as a paragon of pro wrestling by becoming a Grand Slam Champion....the journey towards making that dream a reality began the day I won the Tag Team Championships alongside my very best friends. And that journey continues when the three of us throw down at Fight The LAW. And this journey will have no shortcuts. It will have no bypasses. I will get there the same way I got to where I am today: by challenging and defeating the very best wrestlers this world has to offer."

"I hope both you ladies are ready to bare your souls bare at the pay-per-view. No matter what happens, please know that it's because I love and respect you both so much as competitors, as friends, and as people...that I will hold nothing back against you guys and I will do everything in my power to become LAW Heavyweight Champion at Fight The LAW this year!!!"

With that, Kat had gotten everything off her buxom chest. She let out a deep deep sigh of relief and took in the cheers that filled the arena. The Super Kitty would lean over the ropes and hand her mic off to one of the staff persons at ringside. And she'd duck through the ropes and descend the steel steps to make her leave.

[CaptainL]

It seemed like there was no question that Alaina would be on board - she had been after a match with Astrid for some time now, and they already had more than enough experience with each other to know how they thought and what their goals were. Alaina didn't have to say much to make her case, not when Astrid had already seen she was strong, she was dedicated, and she was out to prove herself as the best in her class. Kat, though, was different - while Astrid was aware of Kat Hart, her accomplishments around the world, and her success in carrying the LAW Tag Team Championships, she had never shared the ring with her or had a heart-to-heart speech. Not until now - but when Astrid heard all Kat had to say, about her determination to prove herself an icon in the wrestling landscape and to inspire everyone to change the world, and how she was willing to do anything to achieve it, even if it meant taking on two world-class opponents - the Norsewoman couldn't help but smile. The passion and the drive that Kat spoke with was close to her heart; it was that same passion and drive that inspired her to take after her father and uphold the Ostberg legacy as a champion. In that moment, Astrid knew she was facing a worthy contender for the title.

"So it's agreed." Astrid nodded her head. "When I issued this challenge, I was hoping that whoever came forward would be well worthy of the honor of Heavyweight Champion. And I have to say, my expectations have been exceeded. I didn't just get one woman who was worthy of making herself number-one contender...I got two. And both of you deserve it, if I do say so myself. Not only for your accomplishments - which, for two multiple-time champions like you, are of course nothing to sneeze at - but most of all, for the dedication I see in both of you."

"Alaina, I know you well. Your determination to be the best you can be, to keep pushing the limit and surpassing what you're capable of, needs no introduction. I've seen that in you in everything you do, in all the times we've met. To work this hard to prove yourself the best is what challenging for a title is all about - to do all of that at your age, knowing what's at stake and who you have to contend with," she gestured to both herself and Kat, "and not even breaking a sweat, is even more impressive."

"Kat, if there was any doubt anyone out there could have about your willingness to prove yourself worthy of the title of Grand Slam Champion, I think it's safe to say their questions have been answered. You've already shown the world you deserve the honor in all the championships you've held, both alone and with the SWAT Cats at your side. However...if you truly do want to be Grand Slam Champion, you've still got plenty of work ahead of you to get there. None of it will be easy - but you've made it clear to me that you're ready for whatever it will take, and I have no reason to question you on it."

Astrid then took a step back. "And, as for me...allow me to leave it at this. I've gone off a balcony in the name of holding onto my title. I've gone toe to toe with fellow champions. And it hasn't been the first time I've fought for this belt against two others. I have no doubts that I have what it takes to walk away with another successful defense on my record...but I also have no doubts that you ladies will make me work my hardest for it. And to that...I salute you. Keep at it!"

"Come Fight the LAW...we'll all see which one of us deserves this title most. Until then, I'll train and prepare myself to ensure that I can give this match the effort it deserves - and I know you'll do the same. Let me be the first to say that I can't wait for it, and I don't think there's a soul in the crowd who would disagree!"

Astrid raised her arm to the crowd, which predictably erupted in cheers in agreement with her words. With that, seeing that Kat and Alaina were making their exits, Astrid issued a bow of respect toward the two challengers before she turned to the ropes to exit the ring.