Eternal Rivalry: Kennedy Lee vs. Astrid Ostberg (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)

[Pegasus]

Kennedy knew that this match wouldn't be like the others. Even back in their first match in Japan, both Astrid and Kennedy had plenty of years to draw from in their careers. Kennedy just had it better and was able to go over Astrid with little problem despite Astrid being as good as she was now. However, Astrid had evolved and even if she wasn’t a champion anymore, she still had a champion’s fighting spirit that she was more than willing to put up against her eternal rival. Hell, it was like she was still defending her championship and it’s honor despite no longer wearing it around her waist and that was one thing Kennedy respected Astrid on. Astrid’s respect and honor for wrestling shines through every match and she loved how the Norsewoman took everything seriously behind the ropes.

However, Kennedy was in a much more unfavorable position as Astrid wasn’t going to let her get rest. Kennedy groaned getting picked up and then dropped on Astrid’s knee as she held her crotch. She always hated atomic drops as they were just legal low blows to her. Kennedy didn’t falter on her knees and instead leaned on the ropes groaning. She needed a serious timeout and it didn’t look like Astrid agreed with that.

[CaptainL]

Technically speaking, the atomic drop was supposed to target the tailbone. That was the fig leaf of legitimacy that allowed it to pass any scrutiny from the referees. But it was undeniable that it was easy enough to hit the crotch by targeting the same area - and even then, taking a hit to the tailbone wasn't very fun either! Astrid had been a staunch believer in fairness and good sportsmanly conduct, and she wasn't one to target her opponents' weak points in the name of crippling them or giving herself an advantage. But what happened happened - and either way, Kennedy was the sort of opponent Astrid knew she had to pull out all the stops against. The Jungle Queen would spare her no mercy if she saw the opportunity to prove herself to be on Astrid's level. Astrid needed to fight just as hard if she wanted to stay on top!

Now, Kennedy had landed in a heap below the Norwegian. After Kennedy had forced her to stay on her toes, Astrid needed a moment to catch her breath - she leaned over and clutched at her sides, panting for air and rubbing at her sore muscles. But a moment later, she shook herself out. Astrid knew that Kennedy wouldn't give her the chance to sit around and recover, and so she couldn't afford her rival the same mercy. Now, Astrid had her opponent down. That might well be one of the few chances she had to lock in control - and she had the advantage, she was going to take it!

Gritting her teeth, the Norsewoman forced herself back up straighter as she stormed closer to Kennedy. Bendng at the knees, she squatted down and threw her arms around Kennedy's own, stretching them out to the sides. Then, she would push off the mat with the soles of her boots, going to lift herself back up - and bringing Kennedy along for the ride, as she wrenched hard at her arms to put her in a Nelson hold!

[Pegasus]

Kennedy was dragged back up by her arms and locked fully in a Nelson hold! The crowd was clearly on Astrid’s side as Kennedy kept one eye closed still suffering a little from the earlier move. However, Kennedy was still very much fresh in this match so she could easily turn the tables. Kennedy tried launching her head back in a painful Headbutt to Astrid’s nose which would hopefully get her to release her. If Astrid recoiled and let go, Kennedy would grab Astrid by her left arm to hit a Japanese Arm Drag!

Kennedy would not relent and she proceeded to grab Astrid by the back of her leotard placing her on the middle rope. The referee would warn Kennedy to not try any illegal tactics as she was weary of Kennedy cheating before. However, Kennedy knew Astrid deserved better and wouldn’t stand for a great rival to have to cheat the rules to get by. Kennedy would rebound off the opposite ropes hoping to hit Astrid with a Tiger Fient Kick or the 619. The crowd was cheering Kennedy now not used to seeing many heavyweights go for moves lightweights would technically use.

[CaptainL]

Astrid knew that after she took Kennedy down with the atomic drop, the Jungle Queen would be left stunned - and in perfect position for Astrid to bring her under control. When she hoisted her back up and tugged back hard on her arms to stretch her tendons to their limits, gritting her teeth and drawing on all the strength she could muster, she aimed to control Kennedy's body and restrain her movements just as much as she was out to dish out the pain. But Kennedy wasn't intent on letting Astrid do either! She might have been locked in place, but she was far from helpless - a fact she would soon prove, as she threw her head backward to strike Astrid in the face!

The Norsewoman let out a cry of pain as soon as Kennedy's skull came crashing into her nose, drawing the sound of a thud. Her arms fell away from Kennedy as she went staggering back, and her hands shot up to shield her face from any further punishment. But Kennedy just as quickly jerked one of those arms away, using the leverage to pull Astrid off her feet. She fell forward with a gasp, dropping to all fours - and from there, Kennedy was able to scoop her up and lay her against the ropes, preparing to enact the next phase of her plan!

No one could possibly have guessed what Kennedy was going to do next. Not anyone in the crowd, and certainly not Astrid herself! While Astrid was still teetering on the ropes, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head, Kennedy was getting set up for her next move. And there, displaying a speed and grace that belied her size, she took off clear across the ring - and sprung onto the ropes, spinning herself around to hit Astrid with her legs!

Cries of "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" broke out through the ring. Kennedy had defied all expectations with how fast she could move. Not even Astrid, who had known and competed against Kennedy for years, expected such a thing. When she saw her running toward her and grabbing for the ropes, her eyes were wide and her jaw agape in shock at the thought that Kennedy could even do such a thing - up until it was too late! She swung back around in a perfect arc. Seconds later, Kennedy's kick struck Astrid in the back, throwing her off the ropes and crashing onto the mat on her hands and knees!

With the canvas rumbling beneath her impact, Astrid winced, reaching a hand back behind her to rub at the ache in her spine where Kennedy had struck. Now, the Jungle Queen had definitely shown she was capable of keeping the pressure on Astrid. And the best Astrid could hope to do was to adjust! She sucked in a breath, crawling her way toward the ropes. Every so often, she glanced back over her shoulder. She knew it hurt too much to try to get back on her feet just yet - but she had to stay on her toes.

[Pegasus]

Kennedy may have had less than a decade left in the ring, but no one could take her career and stats away from her. She had perfected her craft from determination and hard work taking on multiple comers that tried their luck. Kennedy wrestled the best across America, Mexico, and Japan just like Astrid and there were other great women still left to face in the ring. Nearing 40, Kennedy still had a lot left to prove and she was having the most fun doing it against Astrid.

Kennedy soaked in the cheers she got as Astrid was in disbelief that Kennedy could pull off a move for someone her size. She may not have a prowess in aerial attacks, but Kennedy can pull them off when needed. Kennedy came over to Astrid getting her up stunning her with a hard Headbutt. If that managed to stagger Astrid, Kennedy tried whipping the former LAW Heavyweight Champion into the ropes.

She would pop Astrid up in the air to grab her back down for a Samoan Drop in another spectacle showing!

[CaptainL]

Right now, Astrid was going to need some time to recover from the offense she had taken. Kennedy wasn't holding back even a little - she was flying into Astrid with just as much force as she had shown in some of the most pitched battles the two heavyweights had ever seen, and Astrid was feeling it. She knew she was going to have to stay on her toes, and to put forth her best efforts, in order to match what Kennedy was capable of. But right now, Astrid needed to get a safe distance away from Kennedy in order to catch her breath and clear her head - and Kennedy wasn't willing to afford her the luxury!

Astrid's fingers were stretched out toward the rope, but just before she was in reach, Kennedy was already on her. Soon, the Norsewoman was yanked back up to her feet - and when she turned around to face Kennedy, it was right when her rival slammed her head forward to drive her skull into Astrid's own! The blow landed with a loud thud, causing Astrid's head to reel back; she went stumbling back a few steps as she grabbed at her aching temples with a pained groan. But Kennedy still wasn't done - grabbing onto Astrid again, she whipped her straight across the ring and into the ropes!

Her feet carrying her faster than she could keep track of, Astrid soon landed against the ropes, stretching the cables against her weight. She bent lower at the knees with a hiss as she tried to get her bearings, but when she turned back around to face Kennedy, her eyes went wide to see the Jungle Queen ducking down to slip her head beneat Astrid's arm - and hoisting her back up straight to carry Astrid onto her shoulders!

However, Astrid knew where this was going. She had known and fought against Kennedy for long enough to recognize the trademark setup to the Samoan Drop, and even if she was still dizzied by the whirlwind of action she'd just been through, she had just enough time to clear her head in order to prepare a counter. Hoping that she could act before Kennedy dropped her, Astrid would clamp her arm down tighter around Kennedy's head to try and get her in a headlock! Hopefully, that would stun her enough to buy Astrid some time - if it did, she would kick her legs out behind her to try and land two feet on the mat, where she would pull Kennedy downward to try and land a DDT!

[Pegasus]

Kennedy lifted Astrid up and looked to send her back down right on the back, but Astrid clamped down hard on the head making Kennedy stumble back on her ass. She was caught in the middle of falling down so she couldn’t maintain balance when Astrid threw a metaphorical wrench in her plans. Kennedy was brought back up and Astrid landed on both her feet lifting Kennedy to her own. Kennedy couldn’t brace in time when Astrid planted her with the patent DDT! Kennedy cried out in pain lifting her body and flipping on her back as she had a pounding headache incoming.

Kennedy had to admit that Astrid was not only strong, but quicker on the brain than she originally gave her credit for. They had faced off some many times and studied up on how to counter each other’s moves to show they learned. Astrid knew the setup to her Samoan Drop well and even when she was hurting, Astrid wouldn’t let that stop her. Now, she took control and Kennedy was compromised trying to push through her own pain!

[CaptainL]

Kennedy had already demonstrated that, for such a big woman, she could still be nimble on her feet - the fact she had been able to pull off a 619 was proof enough of that! But Astrid was out to prove that she could think just as quickly. She knew that if she took the Samoan drop, it could well spell disaster, allowing Kennedy to net an early pinfall. Even if they were only into the first fall of a two-of-three-falls match, Astrid still couldn't tolerate failure. She had dealt with more failure in her life than she was willing to put up with already, and against one of her longest-standing rivals, she wouldn't dare show any signs that she was falling behind! Just as Kennedy was hoisting Astrid higher, the Norsewoman grabbed an arm around her head - and threw her weight downward to reverse things into a DDT, taking advantage of the leverage between them!

When Kennedy landed on the mat, shaking the ring under her impact, the fans let out a cheer at the sight of Astrid's stunning counter. She was bent over forward, panting to catch her breath after she'd been forced to act so quickly, but still, the Norwegian woman smiled, looking up with a nod at the sight that the arena was still willing to take her side. However, she wasn't going to let that get in the way of what she needed to do, either. Now, Kennedy was down - and as she sucked in a breath, Astrid forced herself back up to her full height. She had an opportunity in front of her she would be remiss to not take advantage of!

Reaching down, Astrid grabbed onto Kennedy's head, pulling her up enough to lift her into a seated position. There, she would be at the right height for Astrid to clamp her thighs shut around her temples, and then to lean over and grab her by the waist. If all went well, Astrid would scoop Kennedy up onto her shoulders, setting her up to take a powerbomb!

[Pegasus]

Kennedy groaned being lifted to her feet only to be bent forward and then lifted high onto Astrid’s shoulders. Her head might be in the clouds, but she had enough time to think of a counter. Before Astrid could throw her down, Kennedy wrapped her hands and legs around Astrid’s head forcing her into her crotch. Kennedy grabbed Astrid’s left arm lifting it up to prevent her from moving around as Kennedy was repeating a dark memory from Astrid’s past. She locked Astrid into a somewhat version of the Midas Touch, but Kennedy really just thought of the first hold she could muster! She was going to choke Astrid out to cover for her desperation to not get slammed, but the crowd remembered this very moment from last year’s We Are LAW.

[CaptainL]

The sight was enough to draw a cheer from the crowd - Astrid might have been confronted with no small amount of adversity from her age-old rival, but she had fought her way through it, and now she was standing tall literally and figuratively! Driven by her refusal to be laid low, she had turned the tides, and now the Jungle Queen was at her mercy. Kennedy was balanced on Astrid's shoulders, and her head was held high, a determined look on her face as she looked out toward the stands. The powerbomb was a mainstay of any power wrestler's arsenal, but it was one that never failed to impress the fans, and when Astrid had managed to lift a fellow heavyweight like it meant nothing to her, they could only be astounded at her incredible strength!

But Kennedy wasn't done quite yet! Astrid began to lean forward, ready to hurl her foe against the mat - but it was then that Kennedy's legs clamped in place around her head, and she reached out to grab her by the arm. The Norwegian coughed and wheezed against the pressure that was bearing down around her throat, threatening to wring the air out of her lungs; her breaths grew hot and stifling, and her knees buckled beneath her own weight. But that wasn't what truly rattled Astrid about this move. Kennedy might not have been doing it on purpose, but when Astrid had her opponent set up for a powerbomb only for her opponent to clamp onto her head for dear life, there was only one thing she could think about. And that was her now-infamous match against Rose Gold - a match that had ended with Astrid about to lay the Lightweight Champion out with such a slam, only to go limp on her feet as Rose choked her out right at the last minute.

It had been Astrid's most ignoble defeat, not only because she had failed to stand up for everything that was fair and just and that Rose spat on, but also because she had let down what it meant to be a champion with such a public defeat. It had only kicked off a downward spiral for Astrid, one that saw her losing her championship later that year. And now, Astrid was faced with a repeat of that very same fate - one at the hands of someone who had been her rival even longer than Rose!

Faced with such a threat, Astrid simply couldn't allow it to happen! She didn't want to lose like this again; that would just confirm she wasn't going anywhere, and that she was doomed to failure. If Kennedy saw her like that, it would shatter everythng she held true about herself and her capabilities - it would all but be admitting that Kennedy had the better of her! Astrid wouldn't even try to complete the powerbomb. All she could focus on was getting Kennedy off of her! In a frenzy, she began to spin around in circles, bucking up and down to try and jostle her opponent around, and hopefully to disrupt her balance. Anything to get out of this position as soon as possible!