Before the Bell: Astrid Ostberg vs. Cyber Widow

[CaptainL]

Written by Eiji Matsumoto

Accompanying this article is a large photograph of Astrid and Widow staring each other down, face to face with their eyes locked on each other as Astrid pulls the LAW Heavyweight Championship belt close around her shoulder, as taken at the would-be interview.

Standing in the conference room, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were at ringside.

On one side: Astrid Ostberg, the reigning LAW Heavyweight Champion, and the claimant of the proud Ostberg line. A third-generation wrestler with the accomplishments of her forebears behind her, Astrid already had a name that caught the attention of grappling fans worldwide by the time she claimed the title for herself at We Are LAW 2020. If her victory over both Linda Halloween and Cali McCloud wasn’t proof enough, Astrid went on to defend her championship both in Japan and abroad, going on a cross-promotional tour of Europe that culminated in a triumph over long-time rival Jess McLeary. None would deny that Astrid was championship material, and her performance in the ring was enough to prove she deserved the belt around her waist, and all the fame and glory that came with it. Her father evidently taught her well, considering that she’s one of the few wrestlers in LAW who consistently takes the sport seriously and elevates herself through her performance!

On the other: Theresia Niedermeyer, better known as the Black Widow, and lately Cyber Widow. A woman whose imposing height dwarfed even Astrid herself - and she was every bit of a giant in the wrestling world as she was in size. She’d been wrestling ever since Astrid’s father was going strong in the ring, and she wasn’t about to retire now - at least, not by choice. Her previous run in CWA was a short-lived one, but what it lacked in length it made up in impact, ending in the career-ending injury of Yoko Harmageddon - and if Widow hadn’t been blackballed from the industry under the pressure of numerous wrestlers speaking out against her reckless behavior, no doubt Yoko wouldn’t be the last. Even in LAW, her fearsome reputation preceded her. And while she had won CWA’s Heavyweight Championship in the past, now that she had returned to the ring, she was out to add LAW’s to her list of accomplishments.

And in the middle of it all was...well, me. After Astrid retained against Jess, it was only a question of who the next contender to challenge for the number-one spot in the heavyweight division would be. Widow was quick to volunteer herself, making threats on Astrid’s belt as early on as when the Norsewoman was touring the indies. And now that Astrid was back in the country, she felt it was time to make her move.

At Widow’s suggestion, I figured that, with an Astrid v. Widow confrontation looking inevitable, it was only fitting to get the two heavyweights in the same room to poll them about their goals in life. Astrid, ever the icon of good sportswomanship, agreed. What could go wrong, right?

Well...as you can see, I didn’t exactly get to conduct the tell-all interview I had in mind.

The cracks first started to show when Widow showed up to the interview accusing Astrid of leaving the title belt behind. In fact, Astrid did have the belt with her - in her bag. “I have too much respect for the belt and what it means to leave it out in the open where it could get stolen,” she explained.

But that didn’t do it for Widow. “Oh yes, all that hard work you put in... when you fled with the belt and went on your little tour defending it in companies with lesser-known talent,” she replied. “That must have been very hard for you, Astrid, defeating lesser-known talent to make yourself look good.”

Astrid countered by pointing out how she’d elevated the prestige of the title by defending it against hopefuls from all corners of the world - but in Widow’s own words, she only “made it look like a joke.”

I tried to get things underway, moving to the interview. First, I asked both champion and challenger a simple question: “Why do you believe you deserve to be Heavyweight Champion?”


Astrid’s response spoke of the hard work and dedication she approached every challenge with, striving to overcome all odds. She had learned never to be content with what she had and to always press her limits - and that was why she wanted to go beyond merely being a prominent heavyweight and reach for the gold. “I don't want anyone to think I got to where I am on my name alone. I'm a third-generation wrestler, yes. But I want to be remembered not as an Ostberg, but as a wrestler - and as a champion.” But she wouldn’t pass the mic to Widow before naming her in her speech. “If Cyber Widow thinks that she can become a champion,” Astrid said, “then she must live up to all the work I've put in to get this far, and to keep myself on the path I'm on. I do hope she is ready for that."

As for Widow? I’ll let her do the talking for me… ”There’s no reason to say why I deserve to be Heavyweight Champion. The fact is simple: She has the title and I want it.” Not just that, she had some words for Astrid’s eloquence: “Did you prepare that speech in your locker room, Astrid? Cause that sounded as fake as your wrestling family line!”

The tensions were clearly rising, and glares were exchanged. But I was determined to keep the peace. Next, I wanted to ask my guests about how they were shaped by their time in wrestling, and how their careers led to where they were today.

“Let me just say that I perfected the Frankensteiner,” Widow replied. “I made it a move to be feared. I ruled with an iron fist and made sure that in my ring, I rule and my opponents are my prey.”

[Ed. Note: She isn’t kidding. - S-chan]

But she wouldn’t let that be said without a more personal barb at Astrid: “You know what was funny about fighting your father? I tried to break his neck after telling me that I should be humble to be wrestling, etc etc. You're too naive if you think that you have a chance against me, Astrid - you may be good, but sweetie, I'm better than you.”

For Astrid: “While I'm making a name for myself, I understand the legacy and the importance of what came before me. My father, my uncle, and my grandfather were all wrestlers, and they all stood up for the integrity of the sport, and for themselves as athletes. They took wrestling as seriously as their own way of life - because it was their way of life. It made them what they were, and they held themselves with the responsibility they were owed, because they knew better than to compromise their name or their honor. I intend to hold myself to their dedication and strength - but most of all, I intend to hold myself to their integrity.” The champ was no stranger to getting personal either - "I only wish that some would feel the same," she said, giving a pointed glare in Widow’s direction.

For my next question, I figured I’d have both ladies tell me a highlight of their career they were particularly proud of. My mistake was starting with Widow.

“Breaking Yoko's neck is one... Little twit thought she was going to replace me as the ace of the company. Well, I made sure that didn't happen! Winning the belt would be second, since my reign ended pretty soon due to someone’s family sticking their nose in my business.”

She was, of course, referencing Lars Ostberg, one of the wrestlers to speak out against her - and Astrid’s own father, as well as one of her opponents in the glory days of CWA, and one who came close to having his neck broken as well. “I do take pride in putting Lars in his place, but fate gave me another chance,” she added. “Cause I can break yours, Astrid, and take what rightfully should be mine.”

I was just in the process of asking Astrid that same question - but she wasn’t in the mood to answer it. Instead, she jumped up from her seat then and there to deliver her ultimatum!

“If you want to break my neck so badly, I'd like to see you try! You want to challenge me for the title? Why don't you stop beating around the bush and schedule a match? If you're that set on beating me, prove you're not spewing empty threats!”

I knew at this point it would be futile to try and interfere. All I could do was sit back and watch these women, and the only question on my mind was whether or not it would end with any fists being thrown!

Widow questioned Astrid on the honor she spoke of as a champion in how she had derailed the meeting, but to Astrid, she was standing up for what she knew was right. As for the challenge, she was keen to accept - and with that, they were only a contract signing away from meeting in the ring.

And even then, they might not need that! As the two met face to face, lining up for a photo, Widow suddenly struck out with a kick aimed at Astrid’s head - the famous Stardust Kick she’d used many times before to target her opponent’s necks! Astrid flinched, drawing back - but Widow’s foot hung motionless in the air. She had only meant to psyche the champion out, and in reacting, Astrid had given her exactly what she wanted.

The veteran looked back with a smirk at what she’d done. She was confident in how she expected things to pan out. “You will lose when you fight me,” she said, “and your career will end.”

Astrid wasn’t one to make any definitive statements, but she met Widow’s challenge with one promise: “I won't hold back on you. For the sake of my family, for the sake of the belt, and for myself."

Astrid’s title defense against Cyber Widow is scheduled to main event LAW’s next television broadcast this Saturday night. If you want my thoughts on the matter, both these ladies have what it takes to walk home the champion, and there’s no doubt that both have the will to make that a reality too. All I can say is...it’s sure to be a match to be remembered!