Chereads / Becoming A Wrestler / Chapter 66 - 60. FCW Creative Team Meeting

Chapter 66 - 60. FCW Creative Team Meeting

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As he glanced over at Kofi, who was still basking in the glory of his moment, Sandro knew that they were destined for even greater things. The fans were behind them, their friends supported them, and together, there was nothing they couldn't achieve. Tonight was their night, but tomorrow? Tomorrow was the start of something even bigger.

As Sandro and his friends indulged in their celebratory meal, laughter, and conversation filled the air. He relished the company of his friends, and his family in the wrestling world. They were all decompressing after the intense match and basking in the afterglow of their success, but amidst the joy and celebration, Sandro felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Curiosity piqued, he pulled it out to find several text messages lighting up his screen.

The first was from Windham. Sandro's heart lifted as he read the message.

Windham:

"Bro! You finally did it! Tag Team Champion, man! I told you this was your year. Can't believe I missed it, but next year, I'll be right there with you. I'm quitting football, and I'm dropping out of college. FCW is calling my name. Wait for me, and let's take this place by storm together!"

Sandro chuckled to himself. He could practically hear the excitement in Windham's voice as he read the message. His friend had always been impulsive, driven by passion just like him. But Windham dropping out of college and quitting his football team? That was a huge decision, and Sandro knew he had to respond carefully.

He opened the next message, this one from Windham's father, Mike Rotunda, better known to the wrestling world as IRS.

IRS:

"Sandro, congratulations on winning your first championship! Your hard work is finally paying off, and I'm proud to have had a hand in training you. I knew from day one you'd go far. Just keep your head straight and keep working hard. This is just the beginning."

Then came a message from Windham's grandfather, the legendary Blackjack Mulligan. The man was a wrestling icon, and Sandro had trained with him in secret over the years. His words carried immense weight.

Blackjack Mulligan:

"Kid, I knew you had it in you. I'm proud of the man and wrestler you're becoming. There's a lot more gold in your future if you keep on the path you're walking. I'm proud to say I've been part of your journey. This win isn't just for you—it's for all of us who believe in you. Now go and show them what you're made of!"

Finally, the last message was from Windham's younger brother, Taylor, who had always looked up to Sandro.

Taylor:

"Bro, you better bring that title to the training area tomorrow so I can take a picture with it. I need to tease Windham with it, haha. Seriously though, I'm so proud of you. You're a champ now!"

Sandro smiled, deeply touched by the outpouring of support from Windham's family. He had grown close to them, spending countless hours training, learning, and just hanging out.

But Windham's text stuck out. Dropping out of college to pursue wrestling was a huge decision, one that Sandro knew could alter the trajectory of Windham's life forever.

While he understood the pull of the ring, he also knew that the road wasn't easy. Sandro had worked tirelessly for years to get to this point, and there were still countless challenges ahead.

He took a deep breath, then started replying to the messages one by one.

To Windham:

"Man, thanks so much. It means the world to me that you believe in me. But listen, don't rush into any decisions. Dropping out of college is a big step, and you've got a bright future with football too. Talk to your dad and grandpa first. Make sure this is really what you want, okay? You'll always have a place with me in FCW whenever you're ready, but make sure it's the right time. I've got your back no matter what."

He pressed send, hoping his words would reach Windham with the gravity intended. Sandro had been through enough to know that chasing dreams didn't always mean sacrificing everything else. Balance was crucial.

Next, he sent a message to IRS.

To IRS:

"Thank you, Mike. I wouldn't be here without everything you've taught me. You always told me to trust the process, and you were right. I'm going to keep working as hard as I can, and I won't let you down. This is just the beginning!"

Then, Sandro wrote to Blackjack Mulligan.

To Blackjack:

"Sir, your guidance has meant more to me than you'll ever know. I'm proud to carry on the legacy you helped me build. You were right all along—hard work and heart get you far in this business. I'm going to keep pushing forward, and I'll make sure to make you proud with every match I fight."

Finally, he quickly typed a response to Taylor.

To Taylor:

"Haha, of course, I'll bring the belt! Get ready for that photo shoot, but don't tease Windham too much. You know how competitive he gets!"

After sending the messages, Sandro tucked his phone back into his pocket and took a deep breath. The weight of the championship was finally settling on him—not just the physical weight of the belt but the symbolic weight of what it meant. His journey had only just begun, but tonight, surrounded by his friends and mentors, he felt more motivated than ever to push himself to new heights.

As he rejoined the conversation at the table, April leaned over. "Everything okay?"

Sandro smiled and nodded. "Yeah, just hearing from my friend, Windham and his family. They're all proud of the win. It's crazy to think how far we've come."

April grinned. "You deserve it, Sandro. You've worked harder than anyone I know."

Nicole raised her cup. "Here's to the first of many championships for Sandro!"

Everyone at the table raised their drinks again in another toast. The moment was lighthearted and filled with optimism, but Sandro knew that beyond the celebration lay a world of challenges.

Being a champion meant defending that title, living up to the expectations of fans, and constantly proving yourself in the ring. He wasn't just Sandro anymore, he was one-half of the FCW Tag Team Champions alongside Kofi.

As the night wore on, the group talked about everything from their favorite moments in the match to the growing popularity of Dragon Boom and how things might shift now that they were champions.

"I heard what some of the fans said in the arena as they left," Brianna said. "Fans are already calling Kofi a breakout star after tonight. They loved that moment when he grabbed the titles."

Kofi chuckled, a little bashful about the sudden spotlight. "Man, I was just trying not to fall off the cable. That was the craziest thing I've ever done and pulled off."

"Well, it worked," Sheamus said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're buzzing all over. People are calling you 'Miracle Kofi' now."

Kofi laughed again, but there was a pride in his eyes that Sandro recognized. His partner had earned this moment, and Sandro was glad to see Kofi stepping into his own. They had worked together as a team, but tonight, Kofi had shown the world what he was capable of.

"You guys realize what this means, right?" Drew said, leaning back in his seat. "The Empire is going to come back for those titles harder than ever. We may be friends now, but when that rematch comes, all bets are off."

Stu nodded. "Yeah, and you know it's not just us. Every tag team and wrestler in FCW is going to be gunning for you now, good luck with that."

Sandro exchanged a look with Kofi. He knew they were right. Being the champions meant that the target was now squarely on their backs.

Unbeknownst to Sandro and Kofi, Drew and Stu's words were a foreshadowing of a much bigger plan being concocted by FCW's creative team. As the wrestlers sat in McDonald's celebrating their victory, across town, in the dimly lit FCW offices, Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn had gathered the creative team and key producers for an impromptu late-night meeting. The mood in the room was a mix of excitement and intensity, a feeling that came after every successful pay-per-view, but this meeting carried a special weight.

Dusty sat at the head of the table, his eyes scanning the room as everyone settled in. He didn't need to say much; the anticipation in the air spoke volumes. Steve, ever the tactician, had already laid out some preliminary ideas on the whiteboard behind him. This meeting wasn't just about Dragon Boom—it was about the future of FCW's champions as a whole.

"We've got something special here, boys and girls," Dusty said, leaning forward with that trademark Rhodes charisma. "This is more than just a good night; this is the start of a new era for FCW. We got new generation champions across the board, and it's time to shake things up."

Steve nodded, gesturing toward the whiteboard. "Let's start with Sheamus. He's been holding down the Florida Heavyweight Championship with authority, but we need to build the next major contender. The fans love him, but we've got to keep him fresh, keep him sharp. I'm thinking of a slow-burn rivalry that challenges him not just physically but mentally. Someone who can get under his skin."

One of the producers raised a hand. "Maybe we bring in someone from the indie scene? Someone who's got the technical skills to keep up with Sheamus but also the charisma to sell the feud?"

Dusty scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I like that. We'll need someone who can really test Sheamus, someone who's hungry and can push him to his limits. But let's put a pin in that for now. We'll circle back once we have a few names in mind."

He turned his attention to the real focal point of the meeting: Dragon Boom and April.

"Now," Dusty said, his voice lowering as the energy in the room shifted. "Let's talk about Dragon Boom. Sandro and Kofi, they're red hot after that match tonight. That TLC spot with Kofi grabbing the belts? Instant classic. The fans are already buzzing, and we've got to capitalize on it."

Steve clicked a remote, bringing up clips from the TLC match on a screen behind him. The final moments of Kofi hanging from the cable, Sandro fighting off Drew, and the crowd erupting as Dragon Boom claimed the titles played in a loop.

"These two have got something special," Steve said. "But the challenge is going to be maintaining that momentum. We can't let them stagnate, and we can't make it too easy for them. They're the underdog team that just took the crown, so what's the next logical step?"

"Keep them on the defensive," a writer chimed in. "Make it feel like everyone's coming for them. They need to prove that they're not just lucky—they're deserving champions."

Dusty nodded. "Exactly. We need to book them strong but vulnerable. Make it clear that just because they've got the titles doesn't mean they've got it easy. They're gonna have to earn every defense. And we've got the perfect way to do that."

Steve grinned, clearly on the same page as Dusty. "The Empire."

Everyone in the room straightened up. The Empire—Drew and Stu—had been one of the most dominant and popular heel teams in FCW for months. Their chemistry with Dragon Boom was undeniable, and their loss tonight didn't feel like the end of their rivalry. If anything, it felt like the beginning of something bigger.

"We need to build a rematch between The Empire and Dragon Boom," Dusty said. "But we can't rush it. This needs to be a slow build. We let The Empire stew for a bit. Make them look dangerous, hungry for revenge. When that rematch happens, it's gotta feel like the culmination of something huge."

One of the producers raised a hand. "Do we keep The Empire strictly heel, or do we blur the lines a bit? After all, the fans respect their skill."

Dusty considered this. "Let's keep 'em heel, but give them depth. Show their frustration, and their obsession with reclaiming the titles. Let them get more personal with Sandro and Kofi. If we make it personal, we'll have the fans emotionally invested in a way that's bigger than just a standard title match."

Steve clicked to another slide. "In the meantime, we'll need challengers to keep Dragon Boom busy. Maybe bring in some fresh faces or pair up some established talent for a temporary feud. Something to build Dragon Boom's credibility while we slowly cook the rematch with The Empire."

Another writer spoke up. "What about Kofi? Tonight was huge for him individually. The fans are calling him a breakout star, so maybe we give him a solo storyline alongside the tag title defenses."

Dusty smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Now you're talking. Kofi's moment tonight was a star-making one. We need to ride that wave. Maybe we give him a few singles matches, and let him shine a bit on his own while still being part of the tag team. He's got the talent, and this could be the start of something bigger for him."

The room buzzed with agreement. Kofi's star power was undeniable, and if handled right, he could become one of FCW's top performers in his own right.

Steve chimed in. "We can plant seeds for future storylines too. Kofi getting more singles opportunities could lead to some tension down the line between him and Sandro, but we don't need to rush that. For now, we keep them strong as a team."

Dusty nodded, then turned the conversation to April. "Speaking of breakouts, let's not forget April. She's been holding the Divas Championship like a true pro, but we need to elevate her division too. Give her some serious competition."

One of the writers scribbled notes. "I've been thinking we could bring in a new face from the indies, someone who can give April a run for her money. Maybe even start building toward a long-term feud that culminates in a major title match."

Dusty tapped his finger on the table. "I like it. But we need to give April some personal stakes, too. Maybe tie her into what's happening with Sandro and Dragon Boom. We need to intertwine these stories, make it feel like the champions are all connected somehow."

The room hummed with ideas, and for the next hour, the team brainstormed ways to weave April's storyline into the broader narrative of FCW's new generation of champions. By the end of the meeting, the outline for the next few months of FCW programming had started to take shape.

Sandro, Kofi, and April would each be given moments to shine individually while still being part of the larger championship narrative. The Empire would be re-established as the dangerous, calculating challengers they were, hungry for revenge. Sheamus would face new, unexpected challenges that would test his resilience as champion, while April would face her toughest competition yet in the Divas division.

As the meeting wrapped up, Dusty stood and clapped his hands together. "All right, folks. We've got our work cut out for us. This is gonna be one hell of a ride. Let's make sure we give the fans something they won't forget." The creative team dispersed, and as Dusty and Steve lingered behind, they exchanged a knowing look. They had something special with this crop of champions, and they knew it. Now it was just a matter of execution.

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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: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions