Astrid Ostberg vs. Aesira Reinhart

[CaptainL]

The fact that Aesira could deliver such a stunning blow to the Heavyweight Champion herself was reason enough for a few cheers to break out. She was outmatched on nearly all fronts, except perhaps for her determination. Even when the odds were against her, Aesira was still going to stand up to Astrid, and fight with all her might to prove that she could be every bit as strong as the Norsewoman herself. She had no fears when it came to running up to the champion to land a stomp against the back of her head - and, in fact, her gambit had worked!

Astrid groaned, still hunkered on the ground and wincing from the pain. She raised her hand to the back of her head, her teeth clenched in a pained grimace. And yet, when she glanced back out of the corner of her eye at Aesira, she nodded her head in recognition. "Nice...shot..."

Astrid began to push herself off the ground, but Aesira had beaten her to the punch. The next thing the Norsewoman knew, she had been hoisted off the ground, her arm in Aesira's grip - and then slung onto her shoulders! The fans gasped at such a display from Aesira, that a middleweight like her would even manage to lift the Heavyweight Champ. But she was doing it - and Astrid felt it.

As Aesira cranked back on her head and legs, bending her back into an arc, the blonde let out a louder scream. Her body twisted and shook in her embrace. For now, Astrid's only recourse was to make it as hard as possible for her opponent to hang onto her, as she rocked her body from side to side. She could feel Aesira's knees buckling behind her, and her back straining to bear her weight. If she could keep this up, she thought to herself, she could bring the middleweight to her knees - but for now, she was holding on too firmly to make much of a difference. For now, all Astrid could do was struggle as best she could!

[Aeri]

Astrid lay on her shoulders, the huge heavyweights weight resting on her body. Aesira groaned, feeling Astrid rock herself around on her shoulders, making it hard for her to keep balance! Her eyes widened just a bit, as the woman stood strong.. before suddenly, nastily, increasing the pressure on Astrids spine even more. Aesira bent her back like a twig..

“U-urgh..”

A very heavy and very squirm-y twig, that is. She couldn’t keep this up much longer, as Aesira decided to make the more of it..! Taking one step to the side.. then another.. she’d drop, slamming Astrid into the ground in a Burning Hammer, smashing the champion into the canvas face first! But..

.. she wasn’t finished! Quickly flinging herself onto her, she’d lift her leg up, and get her into a pin count position..! The referee was suddenly jolted to his senses, sliding down besides them and starting the count..!

“ONE!!”

[CaptainL]

Astrid was hoping that by sheer virtue of her weight alone, she could put more pressure on Aesira's back and shoulders than the middleweight could withstand, forcing her to release her grasp before her body gave out on her. Trying to make it all the more uncomfortable for Aesira, the blonde began to twist her body from side to side, keeping herself in motion. But Aesira wasn't having it - she simply tightened her grip on Astrid further, bending the Norsewoman down further into an arc! With another pained squeal, Astrid's motions ceased. She was left vulnerable for another move - and, to the sounds of gasps from the crowd, Aesira dropped to the side, spiking the champion's face down into the mat with a Burning Hammer!

Astrid had just been subjected to one of the most feared moves in all of wrestling. Even if this wasn't a title match, the fact that Aesira could even accomplish such a feat sent shockwaves through the crowd. Some cheered for Aesira's determination, but just as many watched in stunned silence as Aesira mounted her larger foe, and the referee fell at their side to begin the count!

"TWO!!!"

But just as he raised his hand for the third count, Astrid kicked her leg free from the pin! Another round of gasps broke through the stands, as the blonde rose herself up on her shoulders. Though she panted for breath, she looked out behind sweat-soaked strands of hair to meet eyes with Aesira, and a smile spread over her face.

"Nice...job..." she huffed. "But...your form's off, if you want to hit me with a real Burning Hammer. You're still struggling to shoulder my weight! It'll take more than that to take me down..."

[Aeri]

“Damn.. it..”

She’d curse. A slight breath of air escaping her lips, as her hair rested on her forehead, allowing herself a little breather, laying besides Astrid with half lidded eyes. Her shoulder seemed to be paining her, as she’d clutch it forlornly, never having executed the move before, specially not with someone heavier than her own weight. She’d shake her head, meeting eyes with Astrid.. and tossing her a slightly pained smile..

“This’ll be sore for a while.. and..

I.. probably need practice..“

..Which turned mischievous at the drop of a hat. She’d suddenly get to her feet and clasp Astrids hand with her own good one, tugging her up in a jerky motion to try and get her off balance..!

“You can.. be my test dummy!”

And immediately, speaking of her lack of experience.. Aesira tried to pull the same move again, planning on dragging Astrid back to her shoulders in a single fluid motion, hoping to re enact this.. properly!

[CaptainL]

Astrid had to consider herself lucky. Had her opponent hit her with a perfectly-executed Burning Hammer, she wasn't sure if even she would be able to withstand it - as tough as she was, she was only human, and being dropped directly on your head wasn't fun for anyone! But Aesira, for all her grit and commitment, was still a relative newcomer to the scene, and when Astrid outstripped her in size, she would struggle to lift her on her shoulders, let alone throw her down with enough force to land a truly crushing blow. Astrid had still wiped out onto the floor, and her head and shoulders were still aching from the collision - but, she reminded herself, it could've been a lot worse.

She guided herself back up into a seated position, meeting Aesira's smile with one of her own as she nodded her head to her. Even now, when the two were opponents, Astrid had to commend the girl's willingness to grow and improve. She raised a thumbs-up to her, commenting "Yes, that's the spirit!" But that same look of approval and pride quickly turned to a wide-eyed stare of shock. Aesira wasn't just agreeing to train - she was going to do it here and now, and she would have Astrid help her whether she liked it or not!

Once again, with a gasp, the Norsewoman was pulled back up onto Aesira's shoulders. This time, though, she would be ready. "You have guts, that's for sure!" she commented. "But you're making another mistake...now that you've already tried this move on me before, I can see it coming!"

And, more importantly, Astrid knew what to counter. She was quick to roll her weight over so that she could throw her legs around Aesira's head; if she managed to get a good grip, she would throw herself backward, attempting to pull the middleweight off-balance to drive her head against the mat now with a hurricanrana!

[Aeri]

Aesira, having dragged Astrid to her shoulders was hoping to completely finish off Astrid with this. Even if she botched the move again, she could still deal damage, and after all, that was the point. Beating the other down until one of them gave completely, Aesira softly letting out an exhale. But..

Astrid’s words sent a chill down her spine. Seems the champion wasn’t as hurt as she thought she was, Aesira’s eyes widening as Astrid started to move on top of her. Suddenly her head was trapped in a constricting, fleshy prison of thighs, her eyes widening just a bit from the realisation of this positions implications. And her forecast came true..! The rouge wrestler was slammed down to the canvas face first with a resounding THUD, the impact crashing her down into the ground! Her body jerked in response, before crashing to the ground, motionless..

Not to say she was knocked out as of yet. She had more in the tank for sure, and she’d prove it, letting out a raspy cough, her palms pressed against her forehead.. this had definitely damaged her, and could seem to serve as a good turning point in the match!

[CaptainL]

The crowd let out a gasp. Seeing Astrid pull off a move as acrobatic as the hurricanrana was a rarity for her, when she had always been one to prefer more slow-paced and grounded power maneuvers. But, when push came to shove, Astrid had the talents to back herself up, and when she saw she was being lifted onto the middleweight's shoulders, she realized she would need to counter her move fast, before she'd regret it. She had to use what she had at her disposal - and, when Aesira's head was level with her legs, the Norsewoman knew what she had to do.

As Astrid dropped back, carrying Aesira down with her, the two of them struck the mat with a thud that shook the canvas. Astrid was quick to roll off to the side, where she got back on her feet, raising her fists and facng the cheers of the crowd. After what seemed like a close brush with defeat, she was proving she could take back the momentum whenever she pleased!

Then, Astrid turned, looking back at where her opponent was struggling to rise. With the middleweight down, Astrid saw she had a prime opportunity to zero in on. She didn't know how much her opponent had left in the tank, and Aesira had demonstrated she plenty of surprises in her. The champion's next move was as much a test of her foe's stamina as it was an attempt to win - but Astrid took Aesira by the leg, going to roll her onto her back. If successful, she would lower her weight down on top of her, twisting her leg under her arm to attempt a pin!

"ONE!"

As the ref began counting, Astrid looked back at Aesira, whispering to her softly enough for her words to go unheard by the fans. "Do your best," she said in earnest, her voice encouraging. "Show me if you can break free!"

[Aeri]

Just a second ago, Aesira was the one who was on top and giving Astrid the pin. But a testament to her skill, in a matter of minutes Astrid had reversed the roles, having slammed Aesira down to the ground and caused her to temporarily see stars.

The roars of the crowd had turned into a dull sound, as she’d touch her nose gingerly. She wasn’t bleeding, but.. Astrid had taken a solid hold over her leg. She’d roll Aesira down to her back and lift her thigh up, pressing her body against hers, the referee starting to count..

The first count fell. Aesira wasn’t sure if she could get up.. at first, her eyes still closed and Astrid still hovering over her. She’d exhale gently, before.. hearing her opponents encouragement. She’d reach out and take a hold of Astrids hand, and squeezed gently.. as the second count fell! Suddenly, she’d grit her teeth and shove upwards roughly, leading to the breaking of the pin and an outbreak of cheers from the crowd! Aesira wasted no time in sitting up and holding her head, a small groan escaping her lips..

“H-hah.. not out yet..”

[CaptainL]

Astrid had been playing to the crowd, drawing on their cheers as she made it clear that she was still in this to win, and that she wouldn't let Aesira keep her down. But she wasted no time in getting right back into the action, dropping down on top of her opponent and grabbing for her leg to yank back at it for the pin. As she held down Aesira's shoulders, Astrid's brow furrowed in focus, and she studied her opponent carefully for any signs of what she was about to do. Either way, she wouldn't be disappointed. If Astrid kept the pin, she would win the match. But, if Aesira broke it - that would just prove that she had the stamina to stand up to the Heavyweight Champion. That could only prove to Astrid that she was worthy of standing beside her in the same ring.

Indeed, it would be the latter that proved true! Just as the second count fell, Aesira took hold of Astrid's hand, pushing back at her as she lifted her shoulders from the canvas! The blonde went skidding back, going to her knees and facing Aesira on the mat. But she looked up all the same, meeting Aesira's face with a smile.

"Well done!" Astrid said, holding her hand out in a thumbs-up to Aesira. "I'm impressed that you've lasted this long. I must ask, how much more do you have in you?" She got one foot under her, holding her hands out to Aesira in an offer to guide her back up to her feet.

[Aeri]

She’d brush the hair off her forehead. Aesira was sweaty, tired, and felt like she had just gone through with an intense workout. But, she never came in here with any intentions of losing to ANYONE, heavyweight champions or not.

“How much.. more..? Well.. that’s something you’ll have to see for yourself..!”

She’d take Astrid’s hand. Slowly pulling herself up, and brushing her hair back once more, tying it up in a rough ponytail. Didn’t have much time, as she’d take a few steps back..

“Alright.. get, ready!!”

Stamping her foot to get herself pumped up, Aesira wasn’t gonna charge again. This time, she’d decide to try and catch Astrid off guard, as she’d suddenly move forwards, turning her momentum into a cartwheel, planning on using this to her advantage! Her legs raised high, she’d sway her body and bring both of them down right onto Astrid’s head!!