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

[CaptainL]

Astrid had faced plenty of tough opponents in her time as champion - being where she was meant that only the best in the Heavyweight Division had set their sights on her with hopes of taking home her title. But even with the Norsewoman being known for her endurance, she knew freeing herself from Dana's holds would be a tall order. The Nelson hold she was in was simple but no less brutal - Dana had her arms locked in tight, and with each inch she stretched, Astrid felt like her shoulder joints threatened to pop out of their sockets, her back creaking from the force. She clenched her teeth, her face reddening from the strain as she shook her head in defiance, but she couldn't deny that she was in trouble!

No matter how much Astrid tried to struggle, twisting and turning her body back and forth in the hopes she could break the hold, or at least create more room for herself, Dana was holding firm. It was only when Astrid attempted to throw a kick back into her opponent's knee that she was able to get the veteran to release her - but even then, as she shoved Astrid forward, she stumbled, nearly losing her footing herself. Astrid had compromised her balance in standing on one leg so she could use the other one, and when Dana pushed at her, she doubled over forward, catching herself in a three-point stance moments before she could fall.

Astrid was quick to straighten herself to her feet; the idea of letting her guard down around Dana was unthinkable. She took in a breath, brushing some strands of hair out of her face before she looked back up to lock her eyes on Dana, who seemed to be in a similar position. The champion hoped she could take advantage of that - she came charging toward her, holding her arm up for a clothesline and hoping to throw Dana's back against the ropes!

[Arjuna]

Having forced to let go of her opponent from the full nelson, Dana tried to regain her bearing and footing, hoping to immediately get back into the offensive. But her opponent was quick to recover as Astrid made her way towards her with her arm extended out. This time, Dana was unable to move her way out or duck to avoid the clothesline, and as a result, she took the clothesline right at her upper chest!

"UGHH!!!"

Dana grimaced as she took the hit. She was sent towards the ropes thanks to the clothesline. A lesser woman might end up sent flipping in the air if struck by the attack, but thanks to Dana's stature, she was merely sent towards the ropes. Even so, the clothesline was quite powerful that she needed some time to catch her breath, and she draped her arms over the top rope as she directed her gaze at Astrid.

[CaptainL]

As soon as she had pulled herself free of Dana's clutches, Astrid wasted no time in firing herself back across the ring, her arm raised to ram into her opponent's chest. With the force of Astrid's blow, she was shot back across the mat; even if it didn't take her off her feet, it was well enough for the Norsewoman's purposes. Now Dana was on the ropes, and Astrid was ready to follow up her attack! She could see that the veteran was still catching her breath, but she wasn't about to spare her the time!

Closing in on Dana, Astrid ducked lower, throwing her arms out to wrap them around her opponent's sides. If she was successful, she would then throw her weight back, looking to fling Dana's head into the mat for a hard-hitting German suplex!

[Arjuna]

Still catching her breaths, Dana was unable to stop Astrid from coming closer before she got her arms around her, yanking her away from the corner and putting herself behind her. Before Dana could do anything to stop Astrid's plan, she was then hoisted up by her opponent, who then sent her down into the mat with a German suplex!

"GHHHH!!"

Crashing onto the mat, hitting the canvas with the back of her shoulders and head, Dana was left disoriented by the move. Her body was folded up, her backside sticking up in the air and her legs dangling right above her head. The damage dealt from this move was tremendous, and Astrid would be free to follow up with anything that she had in her mind.

[CaptainL]

When Astrid came crashing down into the mat with Dana in tow, the fans sent up a cheer, eager as ever to see the champion standing up to whatever challengers stood in her way. As she released the veteran, Astrid rolled herself to her feet, turning to look out at the crowd and beaming with pride as she planted her hands on her hips. Hearing the fans cheer for her to prove her strength never failed to encourage the Norsewoman, and, as she showed her appreciation to them with a nod, she was happy to give them what they were here for!

Turning back to Dana, Astrid reached down to grab her by the head, hoisting her up onto her knees before scissoring her head between her thighs. Then, she leaned forward to grab Dana by the waist, flipping her up to let her rest on her shoulders! The fact that Astrid could lift a woman of Dana's size was a breathtaking sight enough, and it spoke to her strength. As she turned to the crowd with a grin, she lifted her head high, posing for the flash of cameras as she held her opponent aloft - and, if all went according to plan, she would throw herself down to hurl Dana into the mat for a powerbomb!

[Arjuna]

Right after she was suplexed into the mat, Dana slumped onto the canvas as Astrid let her go. She groaned as she tried to regain her bearing, but it was clear that the champion was holding the upper hand over her at the moment. She needed to recover as quickly as possible before her opponent could resume with her offenses.

Unfortunately for Dana, her recovery was too slow for her liking, and Astrid went to grab her by her head, guiding her up onto her knees before her head was shoved between the champion's thighs. Then, she was hoisted up onto Astrid's shoulders before she was sent down into the mat with a powerful powerbomb!

"NNGGGAHHH!!!"

The sheer impact of the powerbomb rattled Dana greatly, the same could be said about the ring as it shook upon impact. Her arms splayed out as she was laid out on the mat, wheezing and gasping, her chest rising and falling as she breathed hard. She was staring at the lights above, her mind in disarray thanks to the powerbomb she was subjected into.

[CaptainL]

The moment that Astrid took Dana's head between her thighs, the crowd was already cheering, knowing what the Norwegian had in store for her opponent. And, as she slammed her down against the canvas with a hard-hitting powerbomb, they practically erupted in applause! Astrid had established herself as a natural fan favorite over the course of her title run, and the fans were as eager as ever to see her defend the championship. The fact that she could dominate someone with as storied a career as Dana Ashford with such ease could only embolden their beliefs that she had every right to hold her title with pride.

Astrid rolled up onto her knees, where she was quick to turn back to the fans with a smile on her face as she lifted her chin skyward. Astrid was happy as ever to hear the reception she got for doing what she did best - but, at the same time, she knew how crafty her opponent could be, and the last thing she needed was to turn her back on her for long. She had to strike while she still could - and, as she threw herself on top of Dana, she hooked her leg to pull it up for a pin attempt!

"ONE!!" the referee called out, dropping by her side to begin counting!

[Arjuna]

The powerbomb had dealt quite a tremendous damage on Dana, and at the moment, Astrid was holding an upper hand over her. As Dana was laid out on the mat, she tried to recover and regain her bearing, but it seemed that her opponent was going to try her luck as she went for the pin, hooking her leg. Dana groaned as she listened to the referee counting the pin.

"TWO!"

Exerting her strength, Dana kicked out, breaking the pin. She gasped as she tried to push Astrid off of her so that she could recover. The powerbomb had left her dazed and weakened, so she wouldn't be able to immediately pick herself up. Groaning, she would try to get herself on all four after pushing the champion off of her.

[CaptainL]

Astrid's heart quickened as she hoist Dana's leg higher into the air, pushing her shoulders down against the canvas. She took slow and steady breaths, but her body was quivering with anticipation, waiting for the moment the referee would make the call. Dana seemed to have been laid out flat by the powerbomb, and at her age, the Norsewoman was sure she wasn't as durable as she was. Could this be the moment she would win the match? She could only imagine what such a victory would mean - that she had managed to take down her opponent in record time despite Dana's status, proving her worth of holding the title!

But Dana wasn't quite as out as Astrid thought. She kicked her leg free, and Astrid dropped face-first to the ground with a gasp, her hold on the veteran broken. She went rolling off to her side, getting to her knees before rising to her feet - but when she did, she locked her eyes on Dana with a narrowed glare. Getting into a stance, she watched the Smiling Demon, preparing herself for what she might do next. All the while, she raised her eyebrow with a cocky smirk. Though Dana was no doubt a fearsome foe, Astrid couldn't deny the excitement of sharing the ring with such a famous name, and even if she hadn't won yet, she wasn't disappointed with how Dana lived up to the hype.

"I would hope that someone of your status had more in you," the champion said, beckoning Dana forward. "Come, now, show me what you've got!"

[Arjuna]

Breathing heavily, Dana pushed herself up and kept her eyes on her opponent. She almost buckled under her weight as she picked herself up, but she was still in the fight, and she wasn't going to lose soon, at least not yet. She showed her signature smile in response to that grin that Astrid was showing her. "Haa... don't worry, girl... I have plenty left in me..." Dana straightened herself up, readying herself for another clash with Astrid.

Seeing that Astrid was beckoning her to come closer, Dana would move in, arms raised up in preparation for a lock up. But as she got closer, Dana would suddenly throw her right foot up, targeting Astrid's belly, hitting her with a toe kick. She was looking to make Astrid double over from the strike, and from there, she would try to seize her head in a front facelock, preparing herself for a much bigger move after this.