Heavyweight Championship Match: Astrid Ostberg (c) vs. Cyber Widow

[CaptainL]

No one could blame the fans for being so excited they lost track of the action before them. After all, Astrid had just made a picture-perfect comeback from what seemed like it would be the end of her reign, if not her career. Not only had she shrugged off the Frankensteiner, she'd paid Widow back with a dizzying German suplex against the turnbuckles, and that had knocked the veteran out flat, and seemingly out cold! Now, as Astrid stood up on the middle rope with her arms raised in victory, everyone was sure she had won. The fans, who rang out with cheers, certainly thought so, and so did Astrid herself, who pointed her chin skyward, beaming with pride.

But in all their excitement, no one bothered to notice that the bell hadn't rung, nor had the referee proclaimed Astrid the winner. The match was still going on - and sure enough, Widow was still wide awake, waiting for her chance to strike! The crowd gasped, and a few even screamed, as Widow straightened herself from the mat, pushing herself up with a burst of adrenaline. Even to the very last moment, with the last bit of strength she had left in her, she was going to get up and fight! Like a zombie she staggered forward, reaching out and grasping for Astrid despite the pain and fatigue she had incurred, as she let herself be driven by rage alone!

Hearing the cry ripped from Widow's lungs, Astrid stopped with a gasp, looking behind her to see Theresia coming closer. She watched as Widow jumped up onto the middle ropes, only to climb a step further, toward Astrid's shoulders! The fans were whipped up into a panic, some ducking down and averting their eyes. The mere thought of Widow landing a move like this from such a position was a frightening one, and if it hit Astrid, it would all be over for the Norsewoman!

But Widow was moving slower than she could have been. Were she at her full strength, landing such a move, there was no doubt she would have been crowned the champion by now. But she was dizzied from the struggle she'd been through, and that made her motions lag behind - just long enough for Astrid to notice when she slipped up, and to take advantage!

Astrid saw her chance. She was on the ropes; Widow was too. She only had a narrow window of opportunity to act. But just as Widow stumbled, Astrid would reach up, grabbing the veteran and sweeping her onto her shoulders! Against Widow's weight, Astrid tensed, clenching her teeth as her back and shoulders buckled against the load. But she hoisted Widow higher nonetheless; the will to win this match, here and now, where it counted most, was stronger than anything else!

She draped Widow over her shoulders, setting her up for her own finisher - the horizontal muscle buster known as the Stavanger Buster! Then, hurling her head back, Astrid bellowed out a roar from the top rope just before she jumped back to bring her into the mat hard!

Spoiler

[The Riders]

The match was hers it was so close in her grips. That slip may have cost her the title as she found herself on Astrid shoulders stuck and not able to counter or even throw an elbow at the Champion, her skills dulled and her speed gone still feeling the effects of that suplex from earlier as she took a massive risk wanting to make her threat true.

The fans raising to their feet again seeing their Champion holding the Challenger on her shoulders still able to balance on the middle rope, before seeing Astrid throw herself backwards with her finisher. Waiting breathless to see what happens next.

"AAAUUUGHHHH"A loud thud echoes throughout the stadium as Widow back slams into the canvas, the impact causes the woman body to bounce before coming to a stop laying prone in the middle of the ring. The only signs is her chest going up and down breathing in air as her eyes are closed.

The last thought going through her head before the impact is. "...I lost... To her of all people..."

[CaptainL]

For a moment, Astrid's championship hung in the balance. Widow had gotten up from the mat with a sudden burst of vigor, propelling herself toward the ropes and after the Norwegian. But just as she looked like she was about to overtake Astrid and land a devastating blow, one that Astrid couldn't possibly get up from, the champion caught her!

Widow's ascent was halted in midair, her body suspended in Astrid's grasp. In that instant, the whole arena went silent, the fans watching with a hushed gasp as their thoughts caught up to what they were seeing unfold before them. But once they realized they were really seeing what they thought they were seeing, the crowd came back to life, a thousand voices building up to a vigorous cheer. It seemed too good to be true, but it was real! Just as it looked like all would be snatched away from Astrid at the last minute, she was able to take things back from the jaws of defeat - and, as she plunged from the ropes with Widow held on her shoulders, the impact the two heavyweights made was one that sent the whole arena shaking, the ring thundering under their weight! Their landing was met with even greater cheers, even before the dust cleared - after all, everyone was sure that this was Astrid's chance to win it all!

Widow lay crumpled beneath Astrid, flattened beneath her weight. Even where she lay on top of her, the Norsewoman had to stop to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling as she slumped limply against her foe. But Widow wasn't moving. Astrid knew what to do - and as the strength began to return to her, even through her aches and pains, she lifted herself back up! Sitting up on Widow, Astrid reached for her leg, going to hook it - and the referee fell at her side to make the count!

"ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!"

The bell rang, but it could hardly be heard over all the cheers. Astrid pulled herself back up to her feet, throwing her head back and pumping her fists in the air. It had been a grueling match, and it had taken all of her effort just to keep herself going long enough to put up with the veteran. She was sore, she was bloodied - but she had made it! The ref passed Astrid back her title belt, which she thrust into the air over her head. As she held it to the sky, Misa returned to the ring, shouting out the words everyone had been hoping to hear.

"Your winner, by way of pinfall - and STILL LAW Heavyweight Champion - ASTRID OSTBERG!!"

[The Riders]

The impact from Astrid finisher knocked out. The impact from the middle rope did more damage then the suplex earlier which she was never able to recover from and take advantage of, she doesn't even remember her leg being hooked and pinned by her opponent much to her anger since she would have tried to fight and kick out.

Coming to she sees the ref checking on her but her focus is not on the ref. Her eyes are focused on Astrid who is posing and holding the title above her head in victory, that stings more to her pride then anything at the moment. Rolling out of the ring onto the floor clutching the back of her head, her body aching and hurting from the beating she took from the Champion.

Falling to her knees due to the effect of the Stavanger Buster turning her head to look back at Astrid. Mouthing the words to the Champion before struggling to make her way backstage without the ref's help. "I will beat you for that Title... I will beat you..." those words being said shows that this war between both women are not done, but for now the Champion retains in a bloody battle.

[Bare]

The roar of the fans descended down in waves from the crowd joining in unison with Astrid’s music blaring through tbe speakers of the stadium. Among the racous atmosphere was the streaming lights and graphics flashing througout, celebrating good’s triumph over evil. Tonight at least.

But not all was bright and cheery. For every light, there was an equal and opposite shadow. For every hero there was a villain. A check in the system that balanced the other. For some, Cyber widow seemed to be that check to Astrid. But... they had no idea what lurked, Astrid had no idea what lurked in the shadows, watching, waiting... even now.

Poised amongst the rafter over the side of the entrance ramp, hidden by a veil of darkness formed by the stadium itself. But for some eagle eyed fans at home, and even a few in the stadium, they could see her. A tall, elegant yet powerful form. Resting against the metal, her feet propped up like a throne, enjoying the brawl taking place in the ring. Surveying her competition. Now that the carnage was over... her eyes were focused on but one person.

The eyes of Selket, the Egyptian Goddess reborn, a woman who had injured, broken or humiliated nearly every opponet she had fought against... was focused on Astrid. ”Kufufuf... Enjoy you’re limelight while you can my dear Drengr...” As she breathed these words to none but herself, she licked her lips before grinning maniacally. ”You will make my greatest sacrifice yet!” She said to herself with a hungry gaze, eyes never once leaving Astrid’s form from her unseen perch.

[CaptainL]

In the heat of the moment, Astrid thrust her belt - the same title belt that this match, and the effort she had put herself through, had all been for - high over her head. She had worked hard, and her body was feeling the strain she'd forced on it, her muscles aching and her heart pounding. But in that surge of excitement, Astrid felt alive again. Nothing else mattered - she had won, and she was celebrating it now with her fans, all of whom were showering her with cheers and honors. Nothing made Astrid feel quite so happy to be where she was so much as the cheers of the fans who had watched her emerge victorious.

But just as Astrid began to turn back toward the ramp, placing her belt over her shoulder, she hesitated. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She couldn't help but shake the feeling that something was here, watching her. Something she couldn't see, but that she felt the presence of. For a brief moment, she stopped, looking out toward the distance and raising a brow curiously at what she wasn't sure was there. But she was greeted with silence.

The match was over. Astrid had won. Yet, her championship reign hadn't. She was still alert as she proceeded up the ramp, making her way backstage. She lingered for just a moment at the top, looking back over her shoulder, but seeing nothing. Even as she continued out of the arena, Astrid felt the unease weighing down on her shoulders. And she knew things were only beginning.

Winner by Pinfall: Astrid Ostberg
Astrid Retains