Astrid Ostberg vs. Aesira Reinhart

[CaptainL]

The piledriver shook the ring beneath the weight of the two women, and the impact could practically be felt even by the onlookers in the crowd, who winced in sympathy for Aesira. When the dust cleared, the middleweight was still down - still winded and still clutching her head as she panted for breath. She'd taken the full brunt of an impact straight to her head, delivered by none other than the Heavyweight Champion herself. She was lucky to still be conscious, many would note!

Astrid picked herself back to her feet, panting for breath and dusting herself off. She winced as she felt the soreness in her muscles when she raised her arms for a stretch, and the weight of fatigue was setting into her body. Aesira had definitely tested Astrid's mettle, and the Norsewoman knew she would need to end this soon before her strength gave out. At least she could be satisfied that she'd given Aesira a blow she wouldn't soon forget - or, at least she thought!

When she heard Aesira still talking back to her, still defiant even as she teetered on the edge of consciousness, Astrid gasped. Her eyes widened as she looked down at the middleweight. How could she have taken a blow like that, and still want to come back for more!? Was it a bluff...or was Aesira just that durable? At this point, Astrid would believe both! "No! You can't possibly-!"

A moment later, however, the champion shook her head, straightening her back with a huff. She stood tall, locking her eyes onto her foe. "Fine, then! If it's more you want...I'm happy to oblige!"

It was time for Astrid to show Aesira what she could really do! She bent down to grab at the white-haired girl, hauling her onto her shoulders. Astrid hissed through her teeth, feeling the vertebrae in her back pop against the strain, but she knew it was the only thing she could count on at this point! Carrying Aesira to the center of the ring, she hurled herself to the mat to bring her down with the Stavanger Buster!

Spoiler

[Aeri]

She’d softly groan. Laying on the ground by the piledriver, courtesy of Astrid, Aesira had declared her defiance of Astrids desire to win, telling her that she wouldn’t go out just so easily! However she knew she was on her last legs, even speech had become laborious for her white haired lady, as she’d look up at Astrid with a slightly dizzy, but still a glare..

That was until Astrid suddenly hauled her up by her frame, Aesira too weary to protest much. Being lifted up over the champions shoulder, Aesira groaned softly, her body twisted by Astrid’s command. She couldn’t.. she felt like she was gonna throw up, in the position she was in.. before suddenly, she was slammed down to the ground with an earth shaking THUD!! Her eyes widened, and then simultaneously blanked out, her frame laying spread eagled against the canvas, her white hair lain astray, her mouth slightly open. Sheer exhaustion was the most prominent feeling, followed by the pain in her body and nausea, her figure too tired to even scream! She didn’t know it yet, but her vision was swimming and to any outsider.. well, she looked perfectly knocked out, finished off by Astrids Stavanger Buster after giving it her all!

[CaptainL]

Astrid admired Aesira's tenacity. Not everyone could take a piledriver from someone who outstripped them in size and strength, not to mention achievement, and still find it in them to speak out in defiance. But Astrid had vowed with this match, just as much as she would with any match, to give it her all and not hold back. She faced every challenge fully intending to do justice to the skill and talent that had earned her the championship, and this was no exception. If the piledriver hadn't been enough to take Aesira out, the Norsewoman would just have to reach even higher!

She scooped the middleweght up, laying her over her shoulders. Already, the fans began to cheer, seeing Astrid set up her finisher - and Astrid looked back at them with a smile and a knowing nod, ready to deliver on her promises! She took off running and threw herself off the ground, slamming Aesira's back hard against the canvas!

The ring shook under their impact, as Astrid rolled up to her knees. She panted, her face red and her brow dripping with sweat - but Aesira wasn't moving, and few could blame her! There was nothing stopping Astrid from moving in for the kill, and she saw her chances, throwing herself down on top of Aesira to hook her leg. The referee, too, fell in at their side to begin the count!

"One!! Two!!"

[Aeri]

As Astrids body finally lay down onto her body after what felt like an eternity, Aesira tried to break out. Her body however, wasn’t responding to her mind in the slightest, as she couldn’t move.

The first count fell. Then the second.

She’d sigh. Her held breath escaped her lips, as her head rolled to the side, her cheek pressing against the canvas, and her eyes shutting. She never heard the final count fall, and yet fall it did, a loud “THREE!!” ringing out, signalling the match was over! She’d softly groan, laying pinned underneath the heavyweight champion, completely exhausted. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes, not that she was mad she lost, nor was she a sore loser.. but Aesira had given it her all and fallen short in the face of the champion, and these tears had welled up from nothing more than frustration and yet a sense of finality she felt, resonating through her body..

[CaptainL]

At last, it happened - the referee's hand came down against the mat a third time, and the match officially came to a close! The bell sounded through the arena, and so too did the cheers of the fans eager to see the Heavyweight Champion prove her strength once again. Astrid rose to her feet, throwing her fists in the air and flexing her arms to show off her well-toned muscles. She'd given it her all, and she'd pushed her body to its limits - and in the end, it had all paid off. The Norwegian might have been sore, but she smiled nonetheless. It was the ache of a job well done.

Soon after, though, she turned to face Aesira, and she kneeled down to extend a hand to her. "Are you all right?" she said. "You did a good job out there...I'm impressed!"

Astrid meant what she said. Aesira might have lost, but she had stood up to the champion, and come close to beating her at that! After today, Astrid had no reason to doubt the white-haired girl's dedication and commitment. She knew she was going to go far.

[Aeri]

Aesira, in all honesty was close to fainting. This match was strenuous on her body and mind, and she felt she couldn’t handle it anymore. Her head swam, as she’d stare up at the lights, taking in deep breaths. Slowly sitting up, she’d hear Astrids kind words, and bit her lip..

“.. im okay.”

.. before taking her hand and shaking it.. and then suddenly pulling herself forwards and enveloping Astrid in a warm hug, taking a second to steady herself..

“.. I’m gonna take a looong.. nap now..”

[CaptainL]

Astrid chuckled to herself as Aesira pulled herself closer to wrap her arms around her sides. She could already feel from the weight of the middleweight's body against hers that the match had all but drained her of her strength. But Astrid was proud of her, all the same - she may have lost, in the end, but Aesira had given it her best effort, and proved that she had it in her to stand up to the Heavyweight Champion. She had set out to make a point, and at that she had succeeded.

Wrapping an arm around Aesira's side, Astrid leaned against her to provide her with some extra support. Together, the two women began to make their way out of the ring, leaning on each other to keep themselves from falling. "I don't blame you at all," Astrid said, nodding to Aesira. "You really pushed yourself to the limits out there. I think you've earned a rest..."

Winner by Pinfall: Astrid Ostberg