The crowd exploded in cheers as Sandro stood tall, having evened the series at one match apiece. Now, everything came down to the final match: Sandro versus Drew. The stakes couldn't have been higher. Both teams knew that the winner of this match would have the power to choose the stipulation for the tag team championship match.
After celebrating his victory with the fans, Sandro returned backstage, his heart still pounding from the excitement of the match. Waiting for him in the back were Kofi and Drew, along with Dusty Rhodes and Steve, who greeted him with wide smiles.
"Great match out there, kid," Dusty said, giving Sandro a hearty pat on the back. "That's the kind of stuff that'll keep the fans comin' back for more."
"Yeah, you really brought it tonight," Steve chimed in, nodding in approval. "You've set the stage for a hell of a final match next week."
As Sandro took a breath and soaked in the praise, Stu walked over, a mock pout on his face. "Hey, how come everyone's congratulating Sandro? What about me? I took those slams like a champ out there!"
The group chuckled, and before Stu could say anything else, Sandro gave him a playful, but solid slap on the back, causing Stu to let out a groan of exaggerated pain.
"Easy, easy!" Stu winced, rubbing his back. "My poor spine! You've got a vendetta against me, I swear."
"You'll be alright," Drew teased his partner, chuckling as he leaned against the wall. "Just consider it a warm-up for our title match."
As the laughter died down, the reality of the next week's showdown began to set in. The final match between Sandro and Drew would decide everything. The stakes were massive, not only would it be a clash between the two leaders of their respective teams, but the winner would also have the power to choose the stipulation for their tag team championship match.
The buzz backstage was palpable. Everyone knew the upcoming match had the potential to steal the show and push both Sandro and Drew to their limits. Even as the show drew to a close, the excitement only grew. Sandro could feel it in the air, a mixture of pressure and anticipation, as the future of Dragon Boom and The Empire rested on his shoulders.
Later that night, as Sandro sat in front of his computer after returning to his apartment, a towel draped over his shoulders, he scrolled through the FCW forum on his phone. Fans were already talking about next week's match. The forum was buzzing with predictions, theories, and debates about who would come out on top.
One thread caught Sandro's attention: "Sandro vs. Drew—Who's Got the Upper Hand?" Fans were passionately split, with some backing Sandro, praising his strength and resilience, while others argued that Drew's cunning and willingness to bend the rules would give him the edge.
"Drew's been playing dirty all series," one post read. "Sandro's gonna need eyes in the back of his head if he wants to win."
Another fan countered, "Sandro's got this. He's been on fire lately. No way Drew cheats his way out of this one. If Sandro wins, it's gotta be a Steel Cage match for the title!"
Sandro couldn't help but smile. The fans' enthusiasm only fueled his determination. But beyond the support, the fans were speculating about something else: what stipulation would be chosen for the tag team championship match?
The forum was ablaze with possibilities. Some fans argued for a No Holds Barred match, where anything goes, and the rivalry between Dragon Boom and The Empire could reach its most brutal and unfiltered form.
Others advocated for a Steel Cage Match, a classic stipulation that would ensure no outside interference and force the two teams to settle things one-on-one, with nowhere to run.
Then there were the more extreme suggestions, like a Tornado Tag Match, where all four competitors could be in the ring at the same time, turning the bout into a chaotic free-for-all.
One fan even suggested a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) Match, where the tag titles would be suspended above the ring, adding a new level of danger and excitement to the contest which could burn the arena with the crowd's spirit.
The speculation ran wild, and Sandro couldn't help but think about the possibilities himself. Winning the match against Drew wasn't just about pride, it was about choosing the best way to give Dragon Boom the advantage in their upcoming title shot and win the title for them.
As the night wore on, FCW's official forum channels began releasing video clips of Dragon Boom and The Empire in preparation for their upcoming matches. The FCW website featured behind-the-scenes footage of both teams strategizing, training, and reacting to their latest bouts. Fans were given a peek into their mindset, building anticipation for the final showdown between Sandro and Drew.
One of the clips showed Sandro and Kofi in the gym, discussing their strategy.
"We've got to be ready for anything with these guys," Sandro said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Drew's not gonna play fair, and we know Stu's got no problem getting involved when he needs to."
"Exactly," Kofi agreed. "We've gotta keep our eyes open for any tricks. But the good thing is, we know what they're capable of now. We've been in the ring with them enough times to know what to expect."
Another clip featured Drew and Stu, their demeanor more cocky and relaxed as they planned out their next move.
"Drew's got Sandro's number," Stu boasted to the camera. "He knows how to get under his skin, and that's all he needs. One little mistake from Sandro, and Drew's got him."
Drew, his usual smirk in place, nodded in agreement. "The key is to stay calm, stay focused. Sandro's a powerhouse, no doubt, but he's predictable. We'll use that against him."
The buildup continued throughout the week. FCW fans debated, argued, and theorized over the outcome of the match, with online polls running on multiple platforms asking fans to vote on what stipulation they wanted to see. Steel Cage and No Holds Barred were the two most popular choices, with fans envisioning the ultimate conclusion to the Dragon Boom vs. The Empire saga.
As the forum buzzed with speculation, Sandro and Kofi continued their rigorous training for the upcoming match against Drew. While the rivalry with The Empire was fierce, it was only inside the ring and for the storyline.
There was still friendship between the teams outside the ring, and their group of friends Nick and Sheamus, often joined them for joint workouts and sparring sessions. This friendly competition helped sharpen their skills, and everyone knew that the upcoming showdown was bound to be a classic.
During one of these training sessions, Sandro was deep in thought, running through potential strategies for his match against Drew. The stakes were high—not just for him personally but for Dragon Boom as a team.
Winning the match would give them the critical advantage of choosing the stipulation for the FCW Tag Team Championship bout. But it wasn't just about winning. Sandro wanted to win in a way that felt like poetic justice, a form of karma for Drew, who had cheated his way to victory in the first match against Kofi.
Sandro sat on the edge of the ring, watching Kofi and Nick practice their tag team coordination while mulling over an idea that had been forming in his head for the past few days.
He had thought about making the match a fast-paced, high-intensity contest, one that would keep the audience on the edge of their seats with constant back-and-forth action. But there was something else too, something that would add a layer of satisfaction for the fans: an homage to one of wrestling's all-time greats, Eddie Guerrero, and his infamous in-ring trickery.
As Sandro pictured the match in his mind, he could see it playing out. Drew, always looking for an edge, would no doubt try to cheat again, just as he had done in the past. But this time, Sandro would turn the tables in a way that would honor Eddie Guerrero's "lie, cheat, and steal" antics, giving Drew a taste of his own medicine.
"Maybe this time, I play Drew's game," Sandro thought, a grin spreading across his face. "But I do it better."
The plan was simple, but brilliant. Sandro envisioned a spot in the match where the referee would accidentally get knocked out—a common enough occurrence in high-stakes matches. Drew, true to form, would likely use the distraction to grab a steel chair and try to frame Sandro.
But that's where the twist would come in. Sandro, channeling Eddie Guerrero, would take the chair, slam it on the mat, and then pretend to be unconscious just as the referee woke up. The sight of Sandro down on the mat with the chair next to him would cause the ref to disqualify Drew, thinking he had used the weapon.
It was the perfect way to win, by outsmarting Drew at his own game, turning his cheating ways against him. And the best part? It would leave the audience roaring with laughter and admiration, a true nod to Eddie Guerrero's legacy, something the fans would love.
That afternoon, during a break in their training session, Sandro pulled Kofi aside and shared his idea.
"What do you think? Should I forward this to Dusty and Steve?" Sandro asked, eyes gleaming with excitement and mischief.
Kofi listened carefully before a slow smile spread across his face. "Man, that's brilliant! You should definitely forward this to Dusty and Steve. The fans are gonna eat that up. You know how much they loved Eddie. Pulling that off in the match would be like giving them a piece of wrestling history."
"I figured it'd be a nice way to stick it to Drew, too," Sandro added with a grin. "He's been cheating the whole series, so why not give him a taste of his own medicine?"
Kofi chuckled. "Oh, he's not gonna see it coming. And the best part? It'll be clean—no actual cheating involved. Just smart wrestling."
Sandro nodded. "Exactly. It'll be a fair win, but it'll feel like justice for all the underhanded stuff Drew's been pulling."
With the plan solidified, Sandro felt a renewed sense of confidence heading into the final match. After forwarding this to Dustycand Steve, receiving the greenlight from them as well, over the next few days, he and Kofi worked on fine-tuning their strategies for both the singles match and the tag team title bout, knowing that each win brought them one step closer to championship gold.
As match day approached, the FCW forum was ablaze with fans hyping up the Sandro vs. Drew showdown. Predictions were flying left and right, and discussions about the potential stipulations continued to dominate the conversation. Some fans had caught wind of Sandro's tribute to Eddie Guerrero, speculating that it could be part of his strategy.
"Can you imagine if Sandro pulls an Eddie Guerrero move on Drew?" one fan posted. "That'd be the perfect payback for all the cheating Drew's done. I'd lose it if that happens!"
Another fan replied, "Drew's gotta get what's coming to him. Sandro's smart—he'll find a way to win without stooping to Drew's level. But if he does that Guerrero trick… man, that'd be legendary!"
As the online chatter continued, the FCW team kept releasing more behind-the-scenes footage of both teams. The fans were treated to a glimpse of Sandro and Kofi's intense training sessions, as well as candid moments where they discussed their match strategies. In contrast, Drew and Stu's clips showed them more relaxed, almost overconfident, as they joked about their upcoming match. But even in their confidence, there was a sense that Drew knew he'd need something extra to beat Sandro in the final bout.
The night of the match arrived, and the atmosphere in the arena was electric. Fans packed the stands, holding up signs supporting both Dragon Boom and The Empire. The tension was palpable as the announcers hyped up the importance of the match: the winner would choose the stipulation for the FCW Tag Team Championship, a massive advantage going into the title bout.
_______________________
Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 0