Jem Holland vs Dana Ashford - Stepping Stone to Apex

[winner3]

Standard Match: Victory to be awarded via pinfall, submission, knockout, count-out or disqualification. All standard rules apply.
Apex Qualifier: The match will be presided over by judges. At the end of the match, they will decide if the contest is counts towards both wrestlers qualifiers needed for Apex.

Jem Holland

Entrance Music

Fans got on their feet and filled the arena with cheers as 8-bit inspired music of LAW's greatest E-Girl hit. Her insignia, a gem drawn up in an 8-bit style appeared on the monitor before a reel of her career highlights and notable matches played. A blast of white pyro went off at the top of the entrance ramp and when it faded, Jem Holland's silhouette could be seen as the smoke cleared. Even before she became a wrestler, Jem had a strong following online with her career we a streamer. Now that she had amassed a more than respectable wrestling resume by competing in match after match at LAW, she had become one of the most popular and recognizable names in the company! Her dedicated fan base, which she fondly referred to as "Jem Fans", filled the arena with deafening applause as she made her way down to the ring!

Jem would slide under the bottom rope and into the ring! It seemed she had arranged for some mic time before the actual match, as the referee had a mic in hand to give her when she approached the official. The commentators at the announce table explained that this match was not just a big match for tonight's show, but a huge opportunity for Jem, especially.

"Jem Fans! Lemme hear y'all sound off!" Holland would call out after thanking the referee for the mic. The audience responded in kind and the sounds of their cheers boomed throughout the arena.

"I hope every woman in the back hears that loud and clear! That's the sound of thousands and thousands of fans that wanna see Jem Holland live the dream! That's the sound of fans that wanna see LAW's Greatest E-Girl- wrestling's Greatest E-Girl win her way up every bracket, empty the HP bar of every opponent, and rise up like every good gamer deserves to so that I can claim the biggest prize in this sport! So that I can claim the LAW World Openweight Championship!"

"Tonight, I have to make it through Dana to get one step closer to doing just that. Dana, let me get you up to speed because there's some things that you may or may not know. You might not know this, but I asked for this match! I have some business to hash out with LAW's management! I have something I gotta prove! But you, Dana! You do, too! You run that wrestling school Shadow Fortress, right? You've got students in wrestling companies all over! And your top student here? Harmonia Edelstein? I beat her! Clean in the middle of this very ring!" Jem would point down at the LAW logo in the center of the ring.

"And after I beat you! After I beat both the student and the master, I'll lift this company and my career to new heights as the first girl with championships in gaming and in wrestling!" The crowd roared in anticipation! Jem gestured towards the entrance ramp, pointing to it before giving a thumbs down as she recited her catchphrase!

"So Dana Ashford, bring your fine MILF behind out here so I can whup it!!! Get Set!" The crowd chimed in collectively finishing the catchphrase with her as she called for her meteoric rise to continue, even in her journey towards Apex and the World Championship gold!

"TO GET WREKT!"
"TO GET WREKT!!!!"

[PrinceArjuna332]

Right after Jem finished making her bold declaration, the lights in the arena dimmed a little before the familiar beats of Birth of a New Witch were playing from the loudspeakers. The big screen displayed the highlights of a certain veteran's career before said veteran stepped out to the ramp, clad in her iconic leotard. The crowd gave her mixed reactions, with boos mixing with cheers. Of course, the motherly smile, the smile that gave her the name 'Smiling Demon' on her face was unmistakably there.

Dana Ashford had arrived.

Dana Ashford

Soon, Dana arrived at the ring, and she climbed up the apron and entered the ring to look at her opponent, Jem Holland. Still smiling, Dana then bring up the microphone that she had in her hand. It seemed that she was ready to address whatever points that Jem had brought up earlier. "You know what? That's quite gutsy of you, calling me out like that." Dana said, an amused look seemed apparent on her face. "I know that my name carries such weight that whoever gets to beat me will be instant superstar. I guess that's the risk of me being what I am..."

Keeping her eyes on Jem while still keeping the distance between them, Dana continued, "It's admirable, really. You seem like you already know what you're getting yourself into. You already know what's going to happen if you beat me." Maintaining her smile, she added, "But let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? If you're so eager to make a superstar out of yourself, who am I to refuse? Let's see what you're made of..." And with that, Dana was done, and she would wait for the match to begin.

All the while, Dana smiled at Jem as she waited for the match to begin. It was clear that Jem here wished to make her into a stepping stone. There was nothing wrong with that, Dana thought. Of course, if Jem ended up falling in her attempt to make her way up to superstardom, she got no one else to blame but herself.

[winner3]

Jem's confidence and charisma carried her to great heights in LAW and in wrestling. She had a vast and dedicated fan base. Even as Dana addressed her, Jem placed her hands on her hips and smiled as the fans expressed their support. Eyebrows raised throughout the arena as Dana flirted with the idea of losing here. Most LAW stars would be seen as underdogs going up against a woman of Dana's status and a woman with Dana's resume in the business. And yet, Jem stood before her as a woman with nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Jem had been proving herself over the course of her career. Pulling double time as a regular streamer and wrestler and garnering the love of wrestlers and fans alike with her magnetic personality and charisma pushed her to new heights! She was now out to the biggest and best name that she could be! To prove herself to the higher-ups at LAW by making a success story out of her journey towards Apex! And that journey would really begin now with the chance to prove herself as the first woman to knock off not only Shadow Fortress's premiere student but the founder as well!

Jem would grip the ropes to her left and right as she stretched and perked herself up in her corner! She puffed her cheeks and nodded in anticipation of the bell!

"I AM a superstar! I've been one since day 1! I'm not just gonna step over you! I'm gonna step PAST you! I will become World Openweight Champion! And when I do, no one will be able to deny me! Not you! Not the General Manager! Nobody!" Holland would rant audibly from her corner! It was clear that she was all fired up! When the bell finally rang, Jem would swiftly exit her corner and circle the ring at w brisk pace!

The E-Girl would look to quicken her pace further and further! She'd look to close the gap between herself and Dana, and attempt to swing her foot into the mature heavyweight's thigh and hamstring area with a stiff Roundhouse! If the kick connected Jem would attempt another! Despite her huge spirit, Jem accepted that she was considerably smaller and lighter than Ashford. The commentary at ringside noted this, too! And to overcome the size difference between them, Jem would hope to chop the bigger woman down to size so that she could take control of the match!

[PrinceArjuna332]

Dana found Jem's spunky attitude to be admirable. If only she could make her one of her students as well. But that was neither here nor there as she would ready herself for the match. Seeing no point in exchanging words with the younger woman, Dana would get into position before the bell was rung. The match had started, and Jem immediately jumped into action as she went to kick at Dana's leg. Dana grunted when the first kick managed to hit, though when Jem tried for the second one, Dana was already prepared for this.

The moment Jem was about to throw her second kick, Dana was ready to catch her leg. When her leg made contact, Dana immediately latched her hand onto her leg, and in one quick motion, Dana would yank that leg from under her opponent, looking to make her lose her footing so that she would fall down onto the mat. She could choose to capitalize on this, putting Jem into a painful hold like an ankle lock, but if she managed to bring her down, Dana would then let go of her leg before she went to soak in the heat from the crowd, as if highlighting the effortlessness of her taking down her opponent.

[winner3]

Jem's spunk and charisma were her defining traits both in and out of the ring! And the E-Girl made sure she'd be firing on all cylinders throughout Apex as she quested for the biggest prize there was: The LAW World Openweight Title!

"Hrah!" Jem would grunt when her first kick connected! She had circled the ring to create the right distance and opportunity! The crowd cheered hearing the sound of the kick to Dana's hamstring ring out!

Jem pressed the attack by stepping in for yet another kick! But her veteran opponent was ready!

"Ah no! Good reaction time! But oh no!" Holland would protest as the mature woman caught her leg this time around! Jem would hop on one foot, finding her balance whilst motioning at Dana with open palms in the hope of pleading with her. The E-Girl was indeed in a compromising position here, both herself and her opponent knew this! The fans and commentators watched curiously as Dana took a second to follow up! And when she did, the curvy heavyweight chose to forego the chance to severely punish Jem with a debilitating hold or power move! And she instead, yanked Jem's leg from her, causing Holland to lose what little footing she had and fall!

"OOP!" Jem would let out a yelp as Dana threw her off balance and turned around to bask in the heat from the crowd! But likely to Dana's surprise, there would be little heat at all! Quite the opposite, in fact! For when Dana turned back around to observe her opponent, she'd find Jem doing a full split on the canvas!

"Get baited, fam!" Holland would stick her tongue out at her opponent and place her hands on her hips confidently!

"I'm actually pretty flexible! Bet ya didn't know!" Jem went on. Instead of the crowd booing and expressing disapproval for the tried and true veteran, the thousands of dedicated Jem Fans in attendance who had followed her from her streaming days were now starting to chant for LAW's Greatest E-Girl!

[PrinceArjuna332]

Well, contrary to what she was expecting, there wasn't much heat to be taken here. Looking over her shoulder, Dana raised an eyebrow as she saw Jem somehow ending up in a full split instead of falling down onto the mat gracelessly. "Huh." Turning around, Dana regarded Jem inquisitively, somehow impressed by the younger woman's flexibility.

"That's actually pretty impressive, to be honest." Dana commented, even giving Jem a slow clap, though she would get herself ready as she would wait for Jem to get back into the fight. The veteran still had her smile on her face as she looked at her opponent. "Come on, now. Are you going to continue showing off or are you going to fight?"

Dana was ready to clash with Jem again, keeping her eyes on the younger woman. Considering how flexible this woman was, some submission holds would be out of question. Of course, she could try testing on the limit of how flexible she was, but that was neither here nor there. As she waited for Jem to get back up, Dana rolled her shoulders as she looked at her.

[winner3]

Jem had earned praise from the crowd for her showy display and her flexibility. But the truth was that she was a sitting duck while she was down there on the canvas in a split. The chance Dana afforded her to rise to her feet was not lost on The E-Girl.

"Ah! You're right, you're right! Can't shame a girl for wanting to show off a bit! But we're gonna get down to business!" Jem would nod before pressing both of her palms against the ground beneath her.

Jem pushed herself up and got her feet underneath her. She didn't analyze Dana the way that Dana has analyzed her. Holland relied on her resourceful and the element of surprise to try and topple the established veteran! Jem would meet Dana in the center of the ring. She'd look up at the taller, stronger woman and motion to lock up with her!

"I've got plenty more for you in my bag of tricks!" Jem would boast as she looked to tuck her head under Ashford's right arm and attempt to lift her into a Bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

Dana was a weight class above Dana, so Jem would struggle! The move was a longshot, especially this early in the match! But the more Jem struggled to lift The Smiling Demon, the more the fans would cheer her name and spur her on to try and get the job done and pin this woman!

[PrinceArjuna332]

Dana still retained her smile as Jem readied herself for another clash. One thing that Dana could say about the younger woman was that she was confident. Well, confidence is important in the ring. Without it, a wrestler wouldn't be able to find the drive to move forward. But being too confident could also be one's downfall.

So, as the two of them were locked up, Dana sensed that Jem was trying to do something as she got her head under her arm. When she felt Jem trying to hoist her up for a northern lights suplex, Dana let out a chuckle. Instead of letting herself be lifted up, Dana would keep herself grounded, preventing Jem from executing the move on her.

And with Jem's head under her arm, Dana would use this to her advantage. Making sure to tighten the arm around her neck, Dana would reach out to the bottom part of Jem's leotard before she lifted her up before falling backwards, executing a vertical suplex on the younger woman, sending her crashing down onto the mat.

[winner3]

Jem did indeed have confidence in spades. It was made greater by the loyal fans she had in attendance that were staunch supporters of her even before her wrestling days! They cheered as Jem strained herself to try and take Dana off her feet! And the atmosphere in the arena changed the moment Ashford turned the tables!

"Hey! Don't laugh! I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna- WOAH!" Holland's protests and hopes of taking the lead in this match were dashed by Dana's superior strength! Jem flailed her arms as she felt Dana's arm tighten over her head and as she felt the fabric of her leotard tugged. The heavyweight hoisted Jem up high and Jem offered resistance, but she was unable to counter the Suplex!

"Ack!" The E-Girl would hack and cough as she was lifted in an arc before her back met the canvas! Fans expressed concern as the moment carried Jem towards the ropes!

Jem held the small of her back with one hand and grabbed the middle rope with the other. She'd slowly begin pulling herself up to her feet. Dana was a tough customer. But Jem was far from done!

"I guess Momma Ashford still hits the gym!" A pained Jem would complain.

[PrinceArjuna332]

Bringing Jem down onto the mat with a vertical suplex, Dana would then get herself back up as she watched Jem making her way towards the ropes to recover. Getting herself back up onto her feet, she would look at the younger woman, still looking amused.

"Well, of course. Why wouldn't I?" Dana responded to Jem's words as she would ready herself for her next clash with the younger woman. Instead of coming toward Jem, Dana would beckon her to come to her as she readied herself for her to come.

Dana could tell that Jem was full with gumption thanks to her fans in attendance. She thought that she might as well go all out here to show that regardless of the supports these people had for Jem, she was nothing compared to the Smiling Demon herself.