Redesigns and Revelations - LAW Heavyweight Title

[CaptainL]

By this point, those watching LAW week to week would have grown used to the redesigns rolled in for the League's title belts. The Heavyweight Championship was just one in a long line of new designs to be unveiled, and fans had come to expect the typical format of Dan DeFranco inviting the champion into the ring to reveal the new belt.

This time, though, things would be different. Although the ring was, as usual, decorated with a red carpet over the canvas and a podium set up before a trophy case, this time it wasn't Dan behind the podium - it was the reigning champion, Astrid Ostberg, herself! She looked out at the stands with a confident grin on her face, her muscular form sheathed in a suit. Although Astrid wasn't one to dress formally very often, this was definitely an occasion that called for it.

Astrid Ostberg

"Good evening, everyone!" Astrid proclaimed, holding a microphone to her mouth. "Ordinarily, Mr. DeFranco would be out here to introduce the new design of the Heavyweight Championship. But I understand that he's busy tonight, and he reached out to me to do the honors for him. It was my pleasure to accept - after all, this title means more to me, and to my career, than I could ever put into words. I know that to be awarded with this title means that I have achieved the status of the number-one wrestler in LAW's heavyweight division - the best there is in my weight class. This is what I've been working for all my life, and it's a title I wear with pride, to truly know I'm in a class all my own."

After hearing a few cheers, Astrid nodded her head before continuing. "Of course, I'm well aware that there's more to being a champion than simply being the best. Not only am I recognized for my status as a world-class athlete, I'm also at the position of being a representative of LAW, and of the heavyweight division. I know that I stand as the face of the division to the world, and that's both an honor and a responsibility I'm proud to bear on my shoulders. Up until someone surpasses me, the championship lives and dies with me. When it comes to representing this title, I wouldn't want to be anywhere other than in the ring right now. And it is for that reason that I'm proud to reveal to you all, the new LAW Heavyweight Championship!"

Without anything else to say, Astrid stepped aside from the podium to reveal the case behind her - and, holding her hands out toward it, with reporters, cameramen, ring girls, and assorted executives stepping out of the way to clear the scene, the cameras could focus on what sat inside!

LAW Heavyweight Championship Belt

[Bare]

The crowd was all smiles and cheers as Astrid Ostberg, the proud heavyweight champion of LAW presneted a newly redesigned title for all to see. It was a moght of joy and revelations and pride. A night that was missing one thing. Competition. The thrill and thirst of others chasing the very prize that Astrid had presented like a slab of meat to a pack of predators. Unknowingly to Astrid she had been stalked since her title defense against Cyber widow, watched and studied, by a predator far smarter than the other hungry wolved in the heavyweight division. But the time for watching and waiting was over. Now was the time to strike.

Spoiler

Without warning a song that was not Astrid’s began playing. As it did so the lights went out, leaving the arena washed in the dull purple light from the titanatron. As the eerie music played fog also began to rise up from under the ring, gathering and rising around Astrid.

As this happened the fans immediately began muttering in shock and panic. Many recognizing who’s music this was and knowing what this must have meant. Regardless if Astrid herself realized who was responsible for this or not it was too late.

From behind the champion, through the waves of fog gathering aroind the ring a tall form equaling Astrid’s height crept behind her. Waiting, almost like a statue as dark eyes burned a hole into Astrid’s head as they waited patiently for the champion to turn. When she would the mysterious figure known as Selket aould strike!

As soon as Astrid would turn Selket would snap her hand up like a cobra! Grabbing a tight hold of Astrid’s hair to hold her in place before lurching forward, slamming the champions face with a brutal headbut! But thats not all the figure would continue the assault by sending arm strike after arm strike to Astrid’s face and not slowing down in thw slightest as they sent blow after blow to the blonde’s face!

Eventually however the figure would turn, hopefully with a dazed Astrid in tow and shoved the champion forward while pushing down on her hair to slam her face square into the case surronding the newly designed championship belt shoving her face past it and right into the belt itself! If she was successful in this than Selket would wrap her arms around Astrid’s waist before throwing herself back, releasing her grip around the woman’s waist midthrow for a expldper suplex! As she did so she would stand up and smirk, as she did so two spotlights came down illuminating both women, Selket in all her glory, and Astrid in her beaten down state!

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

Astrid wasn't surprised when she heard the crowd burst into cheers after she presented the belt. After all, this was a momentous occasion coming from anyone, let alone a fan-favorite champion like Astrid. She lifted her chin to the sky, a smile playing across her face. It was moments like these that told Astrid what being a champion was all about, and she wouldn't trade them for anything.

But she still couldn't help but feel like something was off. Try as she might, the Norsewoman couldn't shake the thought that she was hearing something else, too - another noise, faint enough to almost be drowned out against the cheers, but just loud enough to leave Astrid wondering if she was really hearing something or not.

And then, the lights went down - and all was confirmed. Astrid jolted, looking all around her. She saw the purple light coming from the screen, and the fog from beneath the ring. "Who's there? What's going on-!?" The champion glanced back and forth. She hadn't been told anything about this - it had to be some sort of sabotage. But from who?

As soon as Astrid looked behind her, she saw her answer. Or felt it, rather. Before she could even process what was going on, a hand grabbed for her hair - and before she could reason out what was happening to her, she felt the thud of her head against her assailant's skull! Astrid's head snapped backward as she let out a groan, only to suddenly feel the stranger's fist strike out again and again, bludgeoning her already sore head. Bruises were forming across her face, and she was growing more and more numb, until the time came where she could barely feel the impact of the punches.

But Astrid still wasn't getting off easy. Just when she thought the pain had worn off, her assailant gave her a sharp reminder of what it felt like - literally, in this face, as she threw her head straight through the glass, causing it to shatter! Astrid screamed as the glass cut her cheek and forehead, and the commotion caused many more in the stands to gasp in shock. The Norwegian's face was shoved right up against the plate on the front of the belt, but it only stayed there for a few brief seconds before Selket grabbed her waist and hurled her to the mat for a suplex!

By the time Astrid settled, after bouncing off the canvas a few times, she was dazed and weary. Her head was spinning, and her eyes were glazed over, her chest rising and falling as she panted for breath. But, as the light came up, she could get a good look at the woman who stood before her - and her eyes narrowed into a glare. Even in her current state, Astrid was on guard.

"Who...are you-!?" she huffed. "What do you want?"

[Bare]

As the spotlights came on revealing the forms of the champion and her assailant there was an audible gasp in shock. After all their normally proud and strong champion was laying on the mat, bloody and beaten begging for answers. Above her.. her assailant, looking as if she just walked out of marble with how pristine and beautiful she looked.

Looking down at the bloody face of Astrid, Selket couldn’t contain the vile smirk that stretched across her face. The pain and humiliation she had inflicted upon the champion clearly being the cause. Strutting forward a bit she bent down and seamlessly picked up the microphone Astrid had previously been using.

”Oh my dear naive champion.” She cooed out in a silky smooth tone, her words regerberating through the mic and to the crowd who waited with baited breath. “You come out here, flaunting such a enticing prize, making yourself into a target, yet act surprised when someone comes out to topple you and claim it?” She asked in a coy tone, and as if her words weren’t enough her hand swooped down, grabbing the newly designed heavyweight title and lifting it up.

Watching as the light glinted off the shiny reflective metal the Egyptian priestess looked over at Astrid with a sinister look. “Why I’m here should be obvious.” She said lowering her arm, holding the belt by the strap casually. “However my name is Selket. And I am the woman that will be sacrificing you to claim what is mine!” She said her tone and demeanor suddenly becoming much more agressive as she exploder forward in a burst of energy.

With sudden and alarmint speed and ferocity Selket swung the belt over her head like a club, bashing the metal plate into the champions skull! That wasn’t it however as Selket repearee the action several more times! As if that wasn’t enough though, once she rose to her feet she would raise a leg up and bring her foot down on the blonde woman’s head!

Using her foot to hold Astrid’s head in place Selket smiled diabolically as she lowered the belt and cockily wrapped itnaround her waist. Once secured she removed her foot snd looked down to admire herself with the championship belt. “Mhmmm such gold is worthy of a goddess don’t you think?” She asked down to the even more brutalized champion as she did a quick spin, kicking Astrid in the face upon a full rotation to add insult to injury.

Once performed she would lean down and grab a handfull of Astrid’s blonde hair jerking her head up, forcing her to look into the eyes of the woman that did this to her! “I must say… after watching you for so long… this feels far easier than I thought it would be.” She said as she lifter Astrid to her feet, turning she would lift the champ up onto her shoulders!

As soon as Astrid was in this position the fans in the arena immediately began crying out in fear for their champion! The only ones not screaming in worry or fear for Astrid, knowing what Selket was about to do, were those bloodthirsty fans that were loving every minute of this beatdown.

Walking to the edge of the ring facing the entrance ramp Selket smirked as she looked at the fog covered floor below. “This will be but a taste my dear champion.” She said adjusting her grip on Astrid’s body, preparing to throw Astrid over the ropes, however before whe could do so, a certain executives music began playing, causing the onlooking crowd as well as Selket who was still wearing the championship belt to look up as the man in charge of LAW appeared….

[winner3]

And appear he did. Though seldom played, the entrance music of The Man himself was instantly recognizable to the crowd. Where the fans reacted with cheers as the CEO/General Manager made his appearance, Selket understandably gave pause.

Dan "The Man" DeFranco, CEO/GM of LAW

"Yeah let's go right ahead and cut the music, thanks." DeFranco began as he gripped the microphone he had brought out to the arena with him. A lot had gone down in the time that it had taken for him to make his appearance. Of course, Selket would choose to jump the champion while DeFranco was on business with a prior engagement.

"This was supposed to be a celebration of Astrid's accomplishments here at this company. At MY company." The suit began as he walked further down the ramp, but not all the way to ringside.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I was supposed to make this announcement at a later point, but the next number one contender for Astrid Ostberg's LAW Heavyweight Title is indeed Selket." Dan stated plainly as he pointed to the curvy, sultry assailant wearing the championship around her waist in the ring."

"And...if she would like to keep that number one contender status...and her job....she'll release our heavyweight champion, as well as the title she's not yet earned the right to wear around her waist." The man in charge asserted himself, yet he did not raise his voice, nor did he frown or direct any ill will towards the challenger. Dan committed himself to try to be impartial, just as he said he would in his prior appearances and belt reveals.

"Now..." He would finish, demanding that Selket not do any further damage and take her leave. If the Egyptian Priestess complied, Dan would enter the ring to help Astrid up and return her title to her. It would seem that this challenger was going to prove to be every bit as dangerous and perhaps more underhanded than any of the ones Ostberg has defended against to date!

[CaptainL]

At first, Astrid was baffled. She had no idea what this woman wanted with her, or why she was attacking her here, during the title unveiling. Everything was happening so fast that she barely had any time to process it, and having her head smashed through the glass and into the plate of the belt had left her blinded by a haze of pain, leaving her unable to think straight.

Now, though, as the Norwegian fell to the ground, groggy and groaning, the whirlwind of action went still for just long enough for her to make sense of her surroundings. And through her blurry gaze, she looked up to see this woman - Selket - standing tall above her, almost gloating with her very presence. She picked the belt off of its pedestal and held it over her head, as if she had already won it. Astrid winced, not only from the pain but from the very notion of being challenged with a move so audacious. There was no doubt about what her intentions were.

But she was swiftly cut off from her thoughts as Selket struck again, whipping the belt through the air and smacking it into Astrid's head! Her body buckled as she let out a gasp, raising her hands to her head in an attempt to shield herself from further attack. But it was no use - Selket's strikes kept coming, and soon enough, Astrid, unable to stand up against the assault, began to sink low to the ground with a groan. Blood was pouring from the wound in her head, and she could only watch from the corner of her eye, paralyzed by the pain, as Selket planted her foot down on her head.

By this point, the crowd - the same crowd that only a moment ago had been cheering Astrid and her announcement - was being whipped into a fury. Angry voices rang out with boos, and cups and napkins began being thrown into the ring. It didn't slow Selket down, though - even as the chaos grew more and more as she placed the belt cockily around her waist. And even more, as she kicked Astrid in the face! The champion coughed and gagged as she was thrown onto her back by the strike, the motion whipping her body over before she came to rest gasping and panting.

When Selket grabbed Astrid by the hair, however, and dragged her to her feet...the Norsewoman's eyes went wide with a realization. At last, she had put everything together. She knew why this was happening.

Astrid thought back to her last title defense against Cyber Widow. After the match, as she was leaving the arena, Astrid had been struck by an indelible feeling of being watched. By who or what, she couldn't quite place. All she knew was that it was, no doubt, another challenger with eyes set on Astrid and her title, but if so, it was one who preferred to stay in the shadows rather than to strike outright.

Now, she realized, that challenger had revealed herself. And now, she was about to face the full brunt of her fury!

Astrid's eyes widened as she was hoisted up onto Selket's shoulders and waltzed to the side of the ring, as though she meant nothing to the challenger's strength! Her body went tense, and she prepared herself for the impact...

But a moment later, as music began to play, Astrid looked up to see that she was saved! With Dan DeFranco arriving just in time, all attention turned to the CEO, leaving Astrid hanging in midair. Her suspicions were confirmed, as Dan proclaimed Selket to be her next challenger. But now, she could only hope that Selket would comply with Dan's orders and let her down!

[Bare]

Right as she reached the edge of the ropes the entrance music of the big man himself kicked in as the boss of LAW came out to Astrid’s defense. Maintaining a malice filled smirk across her her face Selket patiently waited for the man to finish before responding. ”But of course, as you wish… sir.” She said in a smooth tone, her voice being carried by the mic she still held in her hand whilst hefting Astrid up.

But just as Dan had ordered Selket complied and dropped Astrid. Literally. She dropped her grip from the woman’s body and let her fall flat to the mat below. Not at all gently or without pain, but significantly better than what Selket had initially in mind. “Apologies, I was merely eager to make my presence known to miss Ostberg. She said without at all sounding apologetic to the man in charge.

While apologizing to the man however shr would of course submit to his other demand and reach behind her, undoing the strap and taking the belt out from around her waist. “This new belt was also far too enticing not to take a closer look at hehe.” She purred out darkly before unceremoniously dropping the belt across the blonde woman’s chest, standing proud over her.

“Kufufufu… I must say Astrid you must have the backingnof your gods if you were lucky enough for Dan to save you.” She said as she crouched down, near Astrid’s face as she lifted the woman up by her hair. “Savor it… because they won’t save you in our match..” She said in a breathy whisper to the woman’s ear, her tone shifting several degrees darker as she did so before violently shoving Astrid’s head back into the mat before Selket stood up, proud and dominantly over her opponet with a smile stretched across her face.

[CaptainL]

When Selket let Astrid down, it wasn't easy. She let the Norwegian drop to the mat, where she landed with a thud. Her teeth clenched, Astrid rubbed at her jaw, trying to dull the pain as a shudder went through her body. She was already sore from the punishment Selket had put her through up to this point, and this certainly wasn't helping.

Soon after, Selket dropped Astrid's belt down over her. Almost protectively, Astrid encircled her arms around the belt, pulling it against her chest. She made no qualms about how she, in no circumstances, wanted to let go of it, no matter how Selket would want otherwise. All the same, Astrid didn't have the strength to get back up just yet - at least, not until Selket did the work for her.

Clenching her teeth with a shudder, Astrid once again found herself being dragged up as Selket grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to look her in the eye. She winced in pain, looking back up at Selket with a hateful glare. She was angry that she had the nerve to challenge her like this, waltzing in and taking the belt as though it were already hers, before any match had even begun.

And yet...Astrid couldn't help but feel some anxiety, too. A cold sweat ran down the back of her neck as she heard Selket's words. She certainly seemed confident that she could win the championship, even without taking such measures. And Astrid had seen how ruthless she was, and how hard she could hit. If this was the same sort of intensity she would bring to a match, Astrid would have to be ready for it.

But her thoughts were soon cut short, as Selket dropped her, leaving her to go crashing to the mat. Astrid's head struck the canvas, and she let out a groan, rubbing at her temples. She looked up at the Egyptian Priestess as her shadow fell over her, still too weary to rise and meet her eye to eye. The match might still be yet to come, but Selket had already thrown the first blow.