Astrid Ostberg (c) vs Selket - Falls Count Anywhere Match for the LAW Heavyweight Championship Match

[CaptainL]

Thrown off course by the force of Selket's kick, Astrid had fallen back off her feet. She panted and groaned, still shaken from the landing, but she slowly began to rise, getting her elbows underneath her to prop herself up as she lifted herself higher. Astrid thought only a moment ago that she had gotten things under control - but Selket, as she had shown herself wont to do more than once over the course of this match, had proven she was still in charge. No matter how Astrid tried to steer things back to her favor, Selket was always there to remind her who really held the reins - and that was exactly what her plan was. The first step in defeating Astrid Ostberg was to break the very confidence that propelled her to success.

Even now, as Selket took Astrid by the legs and hooked them around her arms, the Norsewoman looked up at her with a snarl, her teeth clenched in a grimace. She locked eyes with Selket, her fingers tensing as she gripped the ring canvas tighter. Selket wanted to get in her head, that much was clear. And, as much as Astrid didn't want to admit it, her plan was working - even now, the anger was rising in her voice.

"Shut it-! I can still go any time..." But, much as Astrid wanted to think differently, Selket definitely had the upper hand on her. Even now, she had Astrid caught up in her grasp, hauling her into the corner - where she was hurled straight into the ropes as Selket dropped to the ground!

The blonde went flying, her body stretching out the ropes before she began to sink lower, her arms dangling over the ropes to the outside of the ring. She panted for breath, trying to clear her mind. In any other match, the fact that Astrid was on the ropes would've been a saving grace in affording her a rope break - but this was no-DQ, and anything could happen! Astrid's teeth clenched as she started to push herself back up, climbing up the ropes and getting her feet beneath her. She was in a difficult situation, and she needed to get herself out of it as soon as she could!

"...and I'll never bow to you!" Astrid growled as she looked back over her shoulder, toward the Egyptian woman. She found herself grasped by a new surge of energy, eager to prove her wrong. And it was to that end that Astrid pushed down on the ropes, looking to lift herself off the ground so that she could swing her legs around behind her. If Selket had gotten back up, Astrid wanted to hit her with a rope-assisted dropkick!

[Bare]

Selket was nothing if not a cunning tactician. It didn't always show, largely due to the majority of the Egyptian woman's matches ending soon after they began, her actual methods and tactics in combat being relatively unknown outside of the viciousness and surgical precision she dismantled most of her opponents with. That, more than anything was Selket's secret weapon against Astrid. All of her weeks of stalking and taunting the Norse woman, combined with her brutal offense against the woman and even her choice in match type. It was all chosen and used in preparation solely to destroy the Heavyweight Champion and take her title.

So far.. it was all coming to fruition. The look in Astrid's eyes, it was something that would be etched into Selket's mind for weeks and months to come. She could practically feel the woman's anger, frustration, fear... It was like the most delectable dish in the world to the mystic woman and she couldn't wait to wring out even more of those emotions from her. To make the woman rue the day she ever stepped into the ring with the Egyptian Priestess. Yes she would enjoy every single moment of this, in particular...

"Ahhh ~ Music to the ears ~" She would coo out as she heard the cries of pain from Astrid as the woman's body impacted with the ropes with a lovely dull thud of an impact, all of which brought a twisted smile of pleasure to Selket's face as she stood up and turned to look down on Astrid once again. However even the best laid plans had their hiccups, and despite making significant headway in worming her way into Astrid's head, the woman was still far from broken. Looking down at the champion was soon turned into looking up as somehow the reigning champ had gotten to her feet and with the aid of the ropes lifted herself and delivered a drop kick to the Egyptian woman's chest!

"UGH WENCH!" Was the surprisingly loud cry of pain from Selket as she was shot backwards by the impact of the kick landing square on her back! However between the two so far, Selket had taken less damage in the match, and while that move hurt, it also served the purpose of making the purple haired woman very, very mad due to her opponent's insolence. Taking the pain in her chest with gritted teeth Selket would pull her legs up as her back hit the mat. Extending them over herself she would use the momentum of the dropkick to roll right to her feet, and if successful immediately break out into a run towards her opponent! lowering herself Selket prepared to launch herself right into the blonde's stomach to try and spear her through the ropes to the outside!

[CaptainL]

Astrid barely had any idea of what to do against an opponent like Selket. Her usual strategy of using her physical strength and endurance to carry her through wasn't going to help her here. That meant nothing against Selket, who wasn't playing the same game at all. She was fighting a battle of the mind, one where she was one step ahead of the champion no matter what she did. Against a foe so different from the ones she was used to, Astrid could hardly keep up!

She needed to think on her feet if she wanted to press the advantage, and she had to be open to opportunity at any moment - it could mean the difference between victory and defeat. When she found herself thrown right into the ropes, the impact of the cables hitting her body certainly stung. But Astrid realized that it was more than that - she could use this to her advantage! Grasping tightly to the ropes, she was able to use them as a handhold to push herself back to her feet - and from there, to shove herself off the ground and kick her legs out behind her. A gambit that proved to work for her, as she struck Selket with both legs, the force of the impact sending her flat on her back!

Astrid got back on her feet, turning around to face her fallen foe. She straightened her back, smiling wider as she realized that she had managed to actually land a solid blow against her opponent. This, she thought, was proof that Selket wasn't as invincible as she feared...

But that relief was short-lived, as no sooner had Astrid looked back down that she saw the Egyptian wasn't so beaten after all. She had rolled to a stop, and was now charging right back toward her foe! Astrid's jaw dropped with a gasp just before Selket struck - and the force of the impact alone was enough to send the two of them out through the ropes, leaving the Norsewoman to wipe out on the cold, hard ground! She lay there on her back, her body still shuddering from the collision as her teeth clenched in a pained grimace!

[Bare]

Selket was admittedly surprised. Surprised that Astrid had enough sense to retaliate against her, let alone in such an effective way. It truly vexed Selket as she made her way to her feet, trying to not show the pain that was coursing through her bosom. But even though it vexed her to no end it would not stop the priestess, not when her plan had worked so effectively in demoralizing the champion thus far. Besides.. if she played this right.. it ma advance her cause faster than she had anticipated.

Charging at the blonde woman Selket could see her charge had caused a look of pure shock and amazement upon the woman's face. Yes it appeared that taking that dropkick and acting in spite of it had further reaffirmed Astrid of Selket's power, as well as make the woman doubt her own in term. Perfect. Reaching the Norse woman at break neck speeds Selket barreled into her with with wild abandon, taking her off her feet and in turn causing both woman to go through the ropes and outside the ring!

Being the one to lead the charge and with momentum in her favor Selket kept a tight grip on the sides of Astrid's scarlet attire, using it to angle them downwards so that the two would land with the Norse beneath the Egyptian and take the brunt of the fall. Grunting as the two landed Selket would pull herself up on top of Astrid, straddling her waist as the purple haired woman looked down on her opponent with a dark and almost condescending gaze. "Do you understand yet my dear drengr?" Astrid asked as she leaned down, grabbing hold of the woman's hair and lifting her head up. "You're power... you're honor.. you're legacy.." She said before leaning down so her lips were right by Astrid's ears. "Are all nothing to me." She said in a soft and breathy whisper that belied the venom with which she spoke before suddenly and violently slamming Astrid's head into the floor.

"Now then.. let's make use of this match type... shall we?" She asked rhetorically before extending her tongue and dragging it up the length of Astrid's face in a lick before standing up to her feet. Maintaining her grip on the woman's blonde hair Selket would force her opponet to stand up with her, regardless if she was up for it or not. "Hagh!" She roared out as she suddenly turned Astrid, in place to gather momentum before releasing and throwing Astrid head and shoulder first into the barricade! "Come now champion is this all you have!" Selket demanded after doing so with her arms raised up in challenge as she approached Astrid's downed form, lowering herself to once again capture Astrid by the hair and shoulder to force her up to her feet and force the woman closer towards the ring, more specifically the steel steps!

[CaptainL]

Astrid thought she'd be ready, standing her ground and preparing for Selket's charge. But she had underestimated just how quickly the Egyptian Priestess could move - to say nothing of how hard she could hit when she leveraged her full strength into her tackle. Astrid wasn't merely taken aback, or knocked to the ground. The two women went flying straight through the ropes, going crashing into the unforgiving floor!

Gasps and cheers alike came from the stands at such a display. Although many fans feared for the champion's safety, others couldn't help but be thrilled at such hard-hitting action! Ordinarily, the ring was meant to contain such chaos from spilling out into the arena. But this was a Falls Count Anywhere match. The referee had no power to issue a count-out - and all bets were off!

Pain was shooting through the Norwegian's body. Astrid grit her teeth, hissing under her breath as she looked up at Selket while her opponent landed on top of her. Her arm trembled as she tried to raise her fist. Astrid couldn't back down. Not now. She wanted to do something, anything, just to stand up to her opponent, who seemed intent on dominating her mentally, physically, and absolutely. But her whole body was sore and aching. She could hardly compel herself to move, no matter how much she knew she had to. All she could manage was a hoarse gasp as her muscles locked up, and she fell back against the canvas.

From there, it was no trouble for Selket to raise Astrid's head. The Norwegian hissed under her breath, locking eyes on her challenger as she grew tense. "You wouldn't dare..." she muttered - but all she could manage out of her throat was a low hiss, rather than the confident, booming voice she wanted. Astrid could feel the hairs pricking up on the back of her neck as she listened to Selket's voice, and she knew, no matter how much she wanted to believe otherwise, that she was in trouble. That was soon confirmed when Selket slammed her head into the floor, and Astrid let out a cry of pain before her body went slack and she fell backward.

Next, the champion was dragged to her feet, teetering in place as she looked up at her foe. As Selket ran her tongue along Astrid's face, her teeth clenched, her features contorting in disgust. A few of the fans booed Selket's conduct, but far more were stunned into a hushed silence. Selket had to be brave in order to challenge Astrid like this, but she was showing no fear at all. What's more, her efforts were succeeding!

Astrid was whipped straight into the barricade, with the sound of a loud clang ringing out as her head struck the metal. She sunk to her knees as the fans at ringside hopped out of the way, lest they be too close to the action. The weight of her body dragging her down, Astrid slumped to her knees, her head spinning as she groaned wearily under her breath and her glazed eyes stared into the distance.

She heard Selket's voice, though. She heard her taunts. And she knew she had to do something about it! Astrid clenched her teeth, shaking herself to will herself back into action. She began to get her feet underneath her and clung to the bars, preparing to push herself back up. Yet, Astrid couldn't make it up in time. Selket grabbed onto her hair and arm at the same time and hoisted her to her feet - then began walking her to the corner of the ring!

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she drew closer to the steel steps. If Astrid couldn't turn this around fast, she'd regret it. She sucked in a breath, and her muscles firmed up with strength born of desperation. At last, she knew what she needed to do. Just as Selket was pushing her toward the steps, Astrid would spin her weight around, attempting to drive the Egyptian against them instead!

[Bare]

Selket couldn't help but take a moment to admire the form of Astrid, dazed and weak, almost pathetic with pain as she laid up against the hard padding of the barricade. Despite all of Astrid's bluster and pride she was laying there, so far outmatched completely by Selket psychologically and now physically, oh how distraught the champion must be on the inside. It was something that Selket wished she could see for herself, to savor and enjoy the humiliation and frustration likely plaguing her mind right now, all because of the priestesses machinations.

Reaching the woman's downed form Selket continued to further rub salt in the open wounds of the champion, widening any and all cracks she had formed in the woman's mind. With her words alone she had chipped, or at this point now hacked away at Astrid's confidence to the state she was in now. But she wanted more, no until she had Astrid groveling, in tears, worshipping the very ground Selket walked on, she wouldn't stop. She would hack, break, destroy Astrid completely, mind, body and soul.

Grabbing the woman and hauling her up to her feet Selket took her time forcing the blonde towards the corner. After all in Selket's mind Astrid, while not fully destroyed yet and still a definite threat, was far too damaged too do anything immediate. Or so she thought at least. Perhaps that was Selket's first true mistake of the match so far.

Nearly reaching the steel steps Selket reeled her opponent back, preparing to slam her opponent forward, but much to her shock a sudden shift in motion thwarted her plans! Eyes widening as Astrid's body twisted from her grip Selket's own body was subjected to the cruel mistresses known as momentum and gravity. Finding herself thrown down there was a sickening THUNK!!! Sound as Selket's head bounced off the steps, the force at which she hit it causing the purple haired woman to turn over fully, her back now pressed into the section between the cold steel and near hollow underside of the ring apron.

Head tilting back Selket blinked her eyes rapidly to try and regain her senses somewhat from that impact. "Aghhhh!" She groaned out as if a delayed response to the impact with the steel steps, her hands coming over her face covering it as the crowd released a loud cheer of praise for the champion for turning things around! However while the majority of fans were on the champion's side, there was a fair amount of boos mixed in now, fans that either preferred Selket to Astrid upset at the turn of events, albeit they were a minority, but among them now were fans of Astrid that were upset and disappointed at the champion's heelish decision to use the steps!

"Aghhhhaha...!" Selket continued to groan out in pain, her head tilting further back against the black ring apron however... something was different about her laugh now.. and it would only continue to change, sending a chill down fans spines as they looked on. "Aghahahahahahahahaha!" Before everyone's eyes Selket's groans of pain had changed into a disturbing and maniacal laughter that had the blood of many in attendance running cold at the sudden shift in behavior from Selket, especially given she had just taken her first bit of significant damage since the match had begun!

Unveiling her hands from her face Selket looked at Astrid with a wide and devilish smile, blood now dripping down between her eyes from a newly formed cut on her head gained by her impact with the steel steps. "Hahahaha Astrid! I didn't think you had it in you!" She said in a loud and mocking tone towards the champion, as if she was lauding a toddler for taking their first steps. "Using my move against me? and is that you're first time using the steps in a match? My how... devilish of you!" She said with a darkly exuberant tone to her voice before throwing her head back and laughing more at the champion, deciding to try and turn the lemons Astrid had given her into lemonade to further burrow her way into the blonde's head.

[CaptainL]

Astrid wanted to strike back - she knew she had to. The match was still going strong, after all, and hesitation would get her nowhere in a battle this pitched and this deadly. Any few seconds could mean the difference between a glorious victory and a crushing defeat, and Astrid knew it. Yet, no matter how much she was aware of the danger, Astrid couldn't bring herself to act on it. Her mind was paralyzed with fear, too awed by what Selket could do to mount any meaningful defense against her, and yet too aware of the threat she presented to want to tarry any further!

It wasn't until later that the grim reality of Astrid's situation finally caught up to her, enough to motivate her to take action. That only came when Selket had dragged her toward the ring steps, leaving her only a push away from making a skull-splitting impact! A shudder went through Astrid's spine, and she clenched her teeth at the thought of how much this would hurt - but she was just motivated enough to turn Selket's own momentum against her, turning around in place so that the Egyptian would fall backward into the steps instead! Swayed by the force of the counter, Astrid herself doubled backward before dropping to the floor, landing in a seated position with her back against the barricade.

There, Astrid gasped for breath, her chest rising and falling with each exhale she made. Her breaths came as pants, and she raised an arm to wipe sweat away from her brow. The match had only just begun, yet already Astrid felt as haggard as if she had been through a grueling bout. The stress of having to keep guessing where Selket would strike from next was building to a point where it was too much to bear.

As Astrid began to come back to her senses, though, she heard the boos - and it was enough to make her stop dead in her tracks. Her eyes widened and her face paled. In an instant, Astrid knew what she had done. In slamming Selket's head against the cold steel, Astrid had saved herself - but at what cost? She'd resorted to the same tricks that Selket herself would, and tarnished her honor, that which she'd spoken of so fondly, in the process. Even if she could turn things around and win this match, could she truly claim the moral victory?

The thoughts had set into Astrid's mind at the same time that Selket stirred to her senses - and she reminded Astrid of just what she had come to know. The Norsewoman clenched her teeth, sitting up straighter as she felt a chil run down her spine. Already on edge from the match, and from her own worries and concerns, in Astrid's mind Selket's laughter sounded like the cackle of a demon from the pits of Hell itself!

Astrid shook her head, her eyelid twitching, as she desperately tried to stave off Selket's taunts. She'd take anything to believe that she was the better of the two! "No, that's...that's not true!" she said. "I only did what I had to-!" But her voice was still wavering, and she hung hesitantly on her words. Not even Astrid truly believed what she was saying. Not when this had happened.

[Bare]

This wasn't quite how Selket had imagined the match to go, or rather it was for the most part. But this last minute had been the single turning point where Selket had been taken for a loop and unable to immediately respond to what Astrid had done. After all not many had an answer for being swung face first into steel steps. But.. that being said she could certainly take lemons and turn them into lemonade. Namely when it came to capitalizing on how most saw such a action, and weaponizing it against the blonde woman. It wasn't much in the immediate, but it would help to kill any momentum Astrid may have been about to build up.

More over... the look of despair and panic on the blonde woman's face was one that sent tantalizing chills down Selket's spine. That was a look of someone realizing they had made a grave mistake that was against the very fiber of their being, and not knowing what to do with themselves as a result. The fans only served to enhance Selket's last minute tactic. Their boos of displeasure at seeing their precious champion resort to such a tactic weighing down on the blonde norse woman like a iron blanket of negativity.

Taking advantage of the distraction caused by Astrid's stammering excuses Selket would begin to slowly get herself up to her feet, but she wouldn't stop talking. "Oh? The fans certainly doesn't seem to understand ~" She said with a twisted smile, trying to hammer in the gravity Astrid's actions had towards her reputation.

Managing to stealthily get to her feet she would narrow her eyes at the blonde woman as her face and body language took on a distinctly serpentine quality. "A word of advice dear drengr, if you are going to act like a heel... then embrace it!" Selket said softly before suddenly bursting forward in a explosion of power as she dashed at the blonde woman, throwing her knee out to try and crash her knee into her opponent's face with a running knee strike!

If this blow connected and knocked the woman onto her back than Selket would let herself fall right on top of the blonde as a result, her ass firmly planted onto the woman's chest if she landed correctly. "Kufufu.. Don't worry my dear drengr... I'll help you realize exactly the type of woman you truly are, and I'll show the world too... then I'll end you're reign and cast you into the darkness..." Selket breathed out softly as she leaned down, cupping the woman's chin and forcing her to look up at her. "It'll be truly magnificent." She said with her mouth right next to Astrid's ear before leaning up and placing her hand on Selket's face before tightening her grip.. trying to go for a iron claw on the champion!

[CaptainL]

For the slightest moment, Astrid felt relief. Selket had wormed her way into her head, and now she was attacking her from all possible angles, tormenting her both physically and psychologically. She'd done so for weeks now, in fact; leading up to the championship match, Astrid had never been afforded a moment to rest. There was always that possibility that Selket might be lurking in the shadows, ready to attack - and even when Astrid tried to fight back and reclaim some ground, it never seemed to bother the Egyptian. That was, until Astrid had sent her head slamming down against the steel steps, the impact jostling her foe and saving herself from a similar fate. A smile briefly came to Astrid's lips. She'd proven that Selket wasn't so invincible after all.

But her relief was short-lived. Barely a moment passed before Selket turned Astrid's counter back into a devastating blow - but this time, it wasn't the champion's skull that was being targeted, but her psyche and her confidence in herself. Astrid had sworn that as a champion, she would uphold the honor of wrestling and respect what her position meant to the world. Yet now, she had been forced to stoop to the same lows her opponent would take without a second thought. The fans knew it, too - and with their boos, Astrid knew she had betrayed the trust they'd placed in her, after she'd fought so hard to earn their goodwill and prove herself.

To Astrid, that was a blow against her as crippling as any move Selket could have managed. She stared back at the Priestess, her teeth clenched and her eyelid twitching. She shook her head again, beginning to crawl back on all fours away from Selket as she continued to taunt her. "I had no other options-!" she stammered, frantically searching for an excuse she could believe in, but finding nothing. No one had ever seen Astrid Ostberg stricken by such fear.

Astrid knew she was in danger, on the ground while Selket rose to her full height before her. She knew that she needed to get out of the way. And yet, she couldn't. She was frozen in place, only able to stare at Selket as she came near - and as she extended her knee to collide with Astrid's face! The Norsewoman let out a scream, falling to her back as she arched her spine and grabbed at her head. Selket, meanwhile, stayed where she was, seated atop Astrid's chest. She bent down to grab at Astrid's chin, turning her head up and forcing her to stare into her eyes. Astrid's eyes widened and she swallowed a gulp, goosebumps budding on her pale skin. The Egyptian woman's very words made her blood run cold.

"No..." she muttered in a hushed whisper. It was all she could manage. She didn't move, get out of the way, or defend herself as Selket grabbed at her face, her fingers squeezing her skull with terrible force! Another scream left Astrid's throat, muffled into her foe's palm. The pain was stifling, her temples throbbing from the pressure. But the pain also reminded Astrid she had to fight back somehow. And, shaking herself, she reached up to grab at Selket's wrist, attempting to pry her hand off her face!

[Bare]

Selket smirked with pure malice as she saw the storm of emotions pass through Astrid's eyes. The previous proud champion rapidly reaching a mental breaking point as she now realized the line that she had crossed and the trust she had lost with the fans. It was an amazing sight to behold and Selket had a front row seat that could rival even the greatest of productions. Best of all was that they hadn't even reached their crescendo, Astrid was being pushed further and further, harder and harder, her limit coming within view and Selket would be the one to shatter that glass ceiling. All she had to do was push her just.. a bit.. harder...

Running forward and throwing her knee out Selket easily delivered a running knee strike to the blonde's face sending the mid crisis woman flat on her back! With the swiftness of a cobra Selket would drop down on top of the woman, her hand coming down on the blonde's face in a ruthless iron claw, crushing the champion's face and head in a vicious vice grip! "Aw whats wrong drengr!? Can't you even bring yourself to fight back!? You know this won't win any fans back!" With that vicious smirk and mocking words Selket was quick to not give Astrid that chance to fight back, even if she had the spirit in reserve to do so.

Pushing her feet under her on either side Selket would push herself up, dragging the blonde champion up with her as she ascended. With one hand fixed to the woman's head the other would go to the champions arm, fingers digging into her bicep to aid the Egyptian as she hauled the Norsewoman up to her feet. "However I do believe I'm due for some payback!" With that Selket would turn and pivot her hips while throwing her arms out to send Astrid flying in the direction of the steel steps!

But she wouldn't stop there however. No Selket had far too much in mind for the champion as she was already approaching the woman to continue her assault on the blonde woman. Reaching Astrid's form, regardless if she had managed to stop herself or not Selket would raise her arms and dig her fingernails into Astrid's shoulders before bringing her hands down to rake the champion across the back.

However Selket wasn't done just yet, that back scratch, if successful in stunning Astrid further would only be the segway into what the priestess did next. Reaching forward and grabbing the woman by the back of her hair Selket would yank the champion back while also grabbing hold of her arm once again. "Actually why don't we ask what you're fans think of you now.. personally!?" While she spoke Selket would lead Astrid further away from the ring and partially up the ramp. But as she would finish Selket would turn and throw Astrid again, this time right into the barricade to try and send Astrid over them and into the crowd!