Heavyweight Championship Match: Astrid Ostberg (c) vs. Dana Ashford

[CaptainL]

Continued from here

Match Type: Standard Match
Rules: Victory by pinfall, submission, or knockout. The winner will become or remain LAW Heavyweight Champion.

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This was a big moment for Astrid. Once again, she was on her way to defend the LAW Heavyweight Championship, the belt to which she owed her fame, her fortune, and more importantly her pride in what she did. Ever since she won the belt from Linda Halloween, the Norwegian had sworn herself to live up to the part of a true champion, and to be someone wrestling fans the world over could be proud of. She vowed to defend her title against all comers, and to honor the principles that governed the sport - not just because it was what she believed in, but because it was what her father believed in. Astrid was a third-generation wrestler, and she had made it her mission to uphold the values the Ostberg family lived by.

But tonight, Astrid was set to go up against someone who not only had close ties to wrestling, being part of a storied wrestling family, but was a veteran herself - one Dana Ashford. The three-time Slamazon World Champion certainly had the credentials behind her name to make a case for the belt, and her fans believed that she had what it took to add another title to her list of achievements. So too, she had over a decade's worth of experience, and had learned more lessons in the ring than Astrid - who, despite her credentials defending the Heavyweight Championship across three continents, was still young - could possibly hope to understand. Either way, this was a match many were looking forward to eagerly!

Of course, for Astrid, there was even more at stake than usual. Astrid knew she had to win this. After Astrid's loss to Lightweight Champion Rose Gold in a Champion vs. Champion match at We Are LAW, some had doubted if the Norsewoman was worthy of the title she held - or worse, if the Heavyweight Championship had become meaningless in seeing its proud holder lose to someone outside the weight class. Astrid had called for this match in an attempt to restore the dignity of the belt, and to prove that she was still capable of representing the greatest her division had to offer. And Dana had been happy to accept. The need to stand up for what her title meant had given Astrid the extra motivation, and she was sure to give it her all tonight. But everyone was keenly aware that Astrid, who hadn't given herself ample time to recover, was putting herself at risk...

Always one for tradition, Astrid had decided to let her opponent enter the ring first. In her place, ring announcer Misa Otomura was standing in the center of the squared circle, a microphone in her hand as she read the announcements.

"Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is your main event! The following match is scheduled for one fall, and will be for the LAW Heavyweight Championship! Introducing first, the challenger! At 6'2 and 210 pounds, DANAAAA ASHFORD!!"

[PrinceArjuna332]

Finally, Dana managed to get this opportunity to fight for the title against the current champion, Astrid Ostberg. She was all prepared for the match, clad in her signature leopard-print leotard, when she received her cue, Dana stepped out to the ramp as her music was played. She received mixed reactions from the crowd, but many knew that she would bring quite a fight to Astrid regardless whether she could defeat her or not. Many considered her to be a perfect contender for the title, and many wondered whether Astrid could defend the title against her or not.

Spoiler

Making her way down the ring, Dana sported her usual serene and motherly smile, the smile that gave her the nickname Smiling Demon. Soon, she entered the ring, and she would walk around for a bit before settling at her corner so that she could wait for her opponent. Her eyes would be directed towards the entrance so that she could see the champion making her entrance. She draped her arms over the ropes, tapping her right foot on the canvas as she hummed to herself, waiting for the champion to arrive.

[CaptainL]

"And next, the champion! At 6'1, weighing 188 pounds, hailing from Stavanger, Norway - please welcome ASTRID OSTBERG!!!"

Spoiler

The sound of Astrid's name being called sent out a burst of cheers and applause from the audience, as the Heavyweight Champion appeared on the top of the entrance ramp, clad in a furry robe opened to display the title belt wrapped around her waist. She held her hands out to the side as she made her way toward the ring. Dana might have gotten some praise for making a proud appearance as a returning veteran, eager to prove she still had what it took to stand up to the challenge, but her reception paled in comparison to the adoration the fans showered Astrid with - and the Norwegian couldn't help but take it with pride!

As she approached the ring, Astrid slipped off her robe and handed it off to the ring girls before she climbed over the ropes. There, she took off her belt and held it high over her head, getting another cheer, before passing it over to the ref. With that, she cracked her knuckles, bending at the knees to limber herself up, and looked over at her opponent with a grin.

"So, another challenger for the belt makes herself known, yeah?" Astrid said. "Your career has certainly been impressive, but I see you're still reaching further beyond. My father would be proud - the only question is, will it work?"

[PrinceArjuna332]

Seeing the champion making her entrance, Dana smiled as she folded her arms under her ample breasts, waiting for her to enter the ring. She watched her as she showed off that belt of hers. For Dana, Astrid sure had a lot of potential, and with her still young, at least compared to her, she would have a lot of things going on for her in the future, but in terms of experience, Dana had no doubt that she would have Astrid beaten, and she wanted to see if she could beat her and take that belt off of her to become the new LAW heavyweight champion.

"Hmm... I wonder?" Dana responded to Astrid's words. "Oh, by the way, I met your father before, never shared a ring with him, though..." Dana wasn't sure if Astrid knew about it or not. "Well, my husband faced him about twice, but that's about it." Rolling her shoulder, Dana stepped away from the corner. "But we aren't here to talk about the past. Let's see if you have what it takes to face the real deal..." Still sporting her signature smile, Dana was ready to face the younger woman. "Don't disappoint me."

The referee would tell both wrestlers to get ready, even bringing the title belt and showing it to Dana. Nodding to the referee, knowing that the belt would be the prize for her winning the match, she would wait for the match to begin.

[CaptainL]

As Dana described the Ashfords' previous dealings with the Ostberg family, Astrid lowered her head in a nod, never once breaking her concentration on the veteran. She thought back to what she had heard from Lars, and all the stories he had told her about his matches. Certainly, the time he had faced Douglas Ashford was one of them, though he had never achieved the same levels of fame and notoriety that his wife had. Astrid, though, had seen Dana's matches before. She knew what the challenger was capable of, and what she was willing to do to get her way. The thought of the punishments some of her previous opponents had endured was a sobering one for Astrid, who knew she was staring danger in the face...but she didn't get to be Heavyweight Champion without taking risks.

All the same, Dana was right. There was no point in dwelling on what had come before; Astrid herself acknowledged that, as she nodded her head toward the Smiling Demon. Astrid wasn't just her father's daughter. She was out to make a name for herself, and if Dana was the next in line to challenge her, she'd have to show her just the same effort she would show to any other rival. Astrid was always ready to give her all, and this was no exception.

Even as Dana met Astrid with a smile, the Norwegian kept her composure. After all, she knew how this woman worked. She knew that if she gave Dana an inch of her ground, she'd take full advantage of it. Even before the match began, it was time for Astrid to prove to her that she meant business, and that she wouldn't yield. "Don't worry. If there's one thing I know...it's that I won't disappoint."

*DING DING DING*

With the sound of the bell, Astrid made her way to the center of the ring, lowering herself in a stance and holding out her hands to meet Dana with a lockup. She'd start things out simply enough, getting a feel for her opponent's strength - but at the same time, Astrid knew to watch Dana closely, in case she might decide to take advantage of the position for herself.

[PrinceArjuna332]

Pleased by what she heard from Astrid, Dana readied herself for the match. When the bell was rung, Dana would get into position, looking at her opponent, who was looking to lock up with her. Wanting to ascertain her strength, Dana saw no reason to refuse, so she closed in and locked up with Astrid, going for a collar-and-elbow tie-up.

For the time being, Dana would try to judge how strong the current heavyweight champion first. She was looking to put the two of them into a stalemate at the start of the match as the two of them would push against one another. Boots skidding against the canvas, Dana would exert her strength, wanting to see how Astrid would respond to it.

[CaptainL]

The position Dana and Astrid assumed was one readily familiar to wrestling fans. It was the traditional start to a match - and so it was no surprise that Astrid, who had long been a devotee and a proponent of traditional wrestling, would take to it. The purpose of her gesture was twofold - on one hand, Astrid wanted to get a feel for Dana and what she could expect from her, witnessing her strength firsthand. But on another level, Astrid knew she put herself in a vulnerable position in placing herself and her opponent on even ground. She wanted to see how Dana would react to such an opportunity, just to see how well the Smiling Demon lived up to her infamy.

Dana, however, chose not to seize on the offer too soon. Instead, she was willing to take things slow, pushing back at Astrid from their position of mutual pressure. Astrid clenched her teeth, leaning in closer and bending at the knee to brace her weight against the mat. From the strength in Dana's arms, she could certainly tell that this woman had been a champion - but she was just as determined to rise to the challenge, and she leaned in closer to try and steer her back!

For that matter, Astrid decided it was time to change things up. She swung out with her arm, looking to throw it around Dana's head. If successful, she would then step to the side to bend her forward, transitioning her into a headlock!

[PrinceArjuna332]

Both women were locked up with each other in the tie-up, and Dana was pushing against the champion, looking to test her strength. Still, Astrid decided to change things up as she suddenly swung out her arm and threw it around her head, and before she knew it, Dana ended up in a side headlock, where her head was trapped under her opponent's arm.

Keeping her calm, Dana tried to ascertain her situation. She was bent down as she was held in the headlock, but she knew that she could escape this predicament if she was quick enough to react to this. So, as soon as she was held in the headlock, Dana would drive her fist into Astrid's side, hitting her multiple times before attempting to pull her head out of her grasp.

[CaptainL]

The two heavyweights had exchanged a few pushes and pulls as they circled around the ring, each getting a feel for each others' strength. Astrid was quick to realize the two were evenly matched. Both had the strength to earn their success as powerhouses in the ring, and in any clash between the two was going to be a close one. What Astrid knew, however, was that Dana had a reputation for delighting in the misery of her opponents, and perhaps it was that cruelty that would give her an edge. She needed to be on her guard, lest Dana take advantage.

It was the Norsewoman who made the first move, breaking one arm from the lockup in order to hurl it around Dana's head. She tightened her hold, flexing her bicep against her temples as she pulled down at her head to bend her lower. But Dana wouldn't let her hold such an advantage for long - she flew at Astrid with a few quick punches, each one landing with a smack against her side! Groaning, the champion broke her grip, stumbling back from her foe lest she leave herself open. However, she wasn't going to let Dana go without a fight, and she would kick up with her knee as she did, looking to drive it into the bent-over veteran's abs!

[PrinceArjuna332]

As her head was pulled down under Astrid's arm, subjected to a side headlock, Dana drove her fist into Astrid's side a few times, and the current heavyweight champion released her. But before Dana could regain her bearing and think of a way to deal some damage on her opponent, she took a knee right into her midsection, causing her to groan out in pain. Still, the attack alone wasn't enough to leave her winded, though she had to retreat a few steps back so that she could recollect her thoughts and bearing.

Stepping back, Dana looked at the direction of Astrid as she thought of what to do next. The knee to her stomach had broken her momentum somewhat, so she couldn't really follow up her escape from the headlock with something, lest she ended up putting herself in a unfavorable position. So, for the time being, Dana would maintain the distance between the two of them as she carefully watched her opponent, waiting for Astrid to make her next move so that she could react to it.