If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
The segment ended with Drew and Stu sharing a knowing look, their plan clear: they would wait, biding their time, watching for any sign of weakness before making their move. The titantron faded to black, leaving the crowd in the arena buzzing with anticipation and unease while also a slight excitement, knowing that the rivalry between Dragon Boom and The Empire hadn't ended yet.
After the backstage segment of Drew and Stu ended, the FCW live show faded to black, leaving fans with a mixture of excitement and unease. The questions hanging in the air were palpable: What would the Empire's next move be? Could Dragon Boom maintain the momentum they had when they won the FCW Tag Team Championship, or was their victory, as Drew arrogantly suggested, nothing more than a fluke?
The energy from the live audience buzzed throughout the arena, with fans discussing whether Sandro and Kofi still had what it took to lead the tag division. As the crowd slowly dispersed and the lights dimmed, the chatter about the Dragon Boom vs. Empire rivalry grew.
Fans on FCW forum and social media were already speculating on upcoming matches, some believing that Dragon Boom had proven themselves, while others agreed with the Empire, seeing Dragon Boom's reign as a temporary stroke of luck. But one thing was clear, that this story between the two teams was far from over.
Backstage, the air was different. The bright lights and roaring crowd had been replaced by the hum of production equipment and low conversations as wrestlers and staff began wrapping up the night.
Sandro and Kofi, still riding the adrenaline of their successful title defense, found a quiet corner to catch their breath. Both were still drenched in sweat, their muscles sore from the grueling match against The Puerto Rican Nightmares.
"I can't believe how close that was," Kofi said, stretching out his arms, still feeling the sting from the brutal offense he had endured. His face was a mix of exhaustion and relief.
Sandro nodded, breathing heavily but trying to calm himself. "Yeah, they almost had us. But we pulled through." He held up the tag team title that hung loosely over his shoulder, staring at it for a moment. "We can't keep getting lucky, though. We need to step it up. Even though we're designated to win the match, the sudden close call botch you made change the whole tide of the match. But it's okay Kofi, I think the pressure got on the two of us."
Before Kofi could respond to Sandro words, Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn approached them, smiles plastered on their faces.
"Well, boys," Dusty began, his voice filled with pride, "you did it. First defense, and you walked out with the titles still on your shoulders. That's no small feat."
Steve nodded in agreement, offering a firm handshake to both. "Hell of a match, you showed everyone that you're not backing down from a fight."
Sandro and Kofi returned the handshake, grateful for the support but knowing deep down that their performance wasn't flawless.
"But," Dusty continued, his tone shifting from praise to constructive critique, "we need to talk about what comes next. You boys were great out there, but the thing is, that wasn't your best. It's clear that the pressure's getting to you a bit and a botch happened. You've gone from hungry challengers to champions with a target on your back, and that's not an easy adjustment."
Sandro and Kofi exchanged glances, understanding exactly what Dusty was getting at. The journey to the top had been a wild ride, but staying there? That was a whole different battle.
Steve chimed in, his voice thoughtful. "You've got to realize something, now that you're champions, you're not just fighting to win matches anymore. You're fighting to keep what you've earned. That pressure can make or break a team. And to the fans, it adds a whole new layer to the story."
Dusty nodded. "Exactly. So here's what I'm thinkin' boys, we lean into that. These close-call matches? They're good for the story. They keep the fans on edge, wondering if you can keep it up. You're not the dominant champions who steamroll through opponents like the Empire was. You're underdogs trying to prove you deserve those belts, match after match."
Kofi furrowed his brow, processing Dusty's words. "You want us to keep having matches like that? Where it looks like we're barely scraping by?"
"Not exactly," Dusty replied. "I want you to keep fighting like you've got something to prove. And trust me, you do. You've got to convince those fans, and maybe even yourselves, that you're not a fluke. That you can handle the pressure and rise to the occasion every time."
Steve folded his arms, stepping in. "That's the beauty of it, guys. The audience wants to see you struggle, because when you do overcome the odds, it makes your victories mean that much more. Look at tonight—the fans were on their feet the whole time. That's the kind of energy we want to keep building. And then when the Empire comes knocking again, the stakes are going to be sky-high."
Sandro ran a hand through his hair, his mind spinning with the possibilities. "So, you want us to embrace the pressure, use it in the story, and build up to a rematch with Drew and Stu?"
Dusty smiled. "Exactly. Let the fans see you sweat. Let 'em think you might lose it all. That way, when you finally beat the Empire again, there won't be any doubt left. The fans will know you deserve those titles, and they will rally their support behind you tremendously."
Kofi, who had been quiet, finally spoke up, his eyes lighting up with understanding. "So, we're not just defending the titles, we're defending our legacy as well. Every match is a chance to prove we belong at the top."
"Now you're gettin' it!" Dusty clapped his hands together, clearly pleased with the conversation. "And don't worry—we'll build this story up real nice. We'll put you against all kinds of teams, let you show the world that you're not just one-hit wonders."
Steve leaned in, lowering his voice slightly. "And when the time's right, the Empire's gonna come back for those belts. But by then, you'll be so locked in that the fans will believe you can take 'em down again."
Sandro and Kofi exchanged determined looks, feeling the weight of what lay ahead but also the excitement of the challenge. This was more than just holding onto their championships. It was about cementing themselves as the true leaders of the FCW tag team division. The close calls, the grueling matches, the pressure of being at the top—it all fed into the narrative that would define their reign.
Dusty gave them one final pat on the back. "You boys get some rest. We've got a lot of work to do, but I know you're up for it."
After Dusty and Steve left, Sandro and Kofi exchanged a quiet glance, both feeling the weight of their upcoming challenges. The idea of embracing the pressure, the constant close calls, and proving themselves over and over again was daunting, but they knew it was essential. If they wanted to truly make a mark as champions, they had to show they could handle whatever the tag division threw at them.
The next few weeks were grueling. FCW Creative, under Dusty and Steve's guidance, had planned a series of matches that would push Dragon Boom to their limits.
The storylines were meticulously crafted to keep the fans on the edge of their seats, as every match threatened to end Dragon Boom's reign. Sandro and Kofi were still finding their rhythm as champions, and that vulnerability was a key part of their narrative.
The first team to challenge Dragon Boom was the well-coordinated duo of T.J. Wilson and Sebastian Slater. Both T.J. and Sebastian were known for their high-energy, technical styles, which made them a formidable threat. The match was fast-paced from the opening bell, with Wilson and Slater exploiting every mistake Dragon Boom made. The crowd, sensing that the challengers had a real shot at dethroning Sandro and Kofi, grew louder with every near fall.
Sandro and Kofi fought valiantly, but it was clear that Wilson and Slater had a game plan. Kofi, in particular, found himself isolated, struggling against Wilson's sharp submissions and Slater's high-impact moves. There were moments when it seemed like the titles would slip away, especially after a particularly brutal double-team move left Kofi barely able to kick out at the count of two.
But just when it looked like Dragon Boom would lose, Sandro made a timely save, storming the ring and breaking up a pinfall that would have ended their reign. He followed up with a flurry of offense, taking down both Wilson and Slater with explosive moves that reignited the crowd. The match ended with Kofi managing to recover just in time to hit his finisher, Trouble in Paradise toward Slater, allowing Sandro to pin Slater for the victory.
The win was narrow—too narrow for comfort. The fans could see how close Dragon Boom had come to losing, and while some cheered their resilience, others started to murmur about how long the team could realistically hold onto their titles.
The next week brought another stiff challenge in the form of Caylen Croft and DH Smith. Croft, with his cunning style, and Smith, with his raw power, created an interesting dynamic. This match was different from the previous week—Croft and Smith were out to punish Dragon Boom physically. From the moment the bell rang, it was clear they were going to use brute strength and dirty tactics to get the win.
Sandro, typically the powerhouse of his team, found himself being overpowered by the much larger DH Smith. Meanwhile, Croft distracted the referee at key moments, allowing Smith to land illegal blows behind the official's back. The fans, many of whom had begun questioning Dragon Boom's reign after the close call the week before, watched intently as Croft and Smith dominated much of the match.
Kofi, once again, was isolated for long stretches. The crowd could feel the tension, especially after Croft hit a devastating low blow while the referee was distracted. The pinfall that followed looked like the end for Dragon Boom, but Kofi somehow managed to roll his shoulder up at the last possible second.
The match continued with Sandro finally managing to tag in and clean house, much to the crowd's delight. Despite being worn down, Sandro and Kofi rallied, using their speed and chemistry to overcome Croft and Smith. In the end, Dragon Boom double-team finisher combination put Croft down for the count, and Dragon Boom barely escaped with their titles intact.
The crowd was mixed—some cheered their heart and determination, while others groaned at how close they had come to losing again. The question on everyone's mind was simple: could Dragon Boom handle the pressure of being champions, or were they simply surviving by the skin of their teeth?
The third week saw Dragon Boom face Manu and Sid Showdee, a team that had been on the rise in FCW's tag division. Manu's size and strength, combined with Showdee's unorthodox style, made them dangerous. The pressure on Sandro and Kofi was higher than ever. The previous weeks had chipped away at their confidence, and the crowd could sense that they were vulnerable.
This match was perhaps the hardest yet. Manu and Showdee took control early, with Manu overpowering both Sandro and Kofi. Showdee's unpredictability only added to the chaos, as he used his awkward, high-flying moves to keep Dragon Boom off-balance.
There was a moment in the match when it seemed like Dragon Boom was about to fall. Manu hit a crushing Samoan drop on Kofi, followed by Showdee's diving elbow drop. The referee's hand slapped the mat twice, and as his hand came down for the third count, Sandro dove in to break up the pin, saving the titles at the last possible second.
The crowd erupted, but it was clear that Dragon Boom was in trouble. Kofi was barely conscious, and Sandro had taken a beating earlier in the match. The challengers smelled blood and went in for the kill, but Sandro and Kofi, digging deep into their reserves, mounted a final comeback.
Sandro hit a desperation move, slamming Manu into the turnbuckle, and Kofi, regaining his bearings, took out Showdee with a springboard kick. The match ended when Kofi hit a high-risk move off the top rope, followed by Sandro's Dragon Shot on Manu for the hard-fought victory.
The reaction from the crowd was electric, but there was an underlying tension. Three weeks, three defenses, and three incredibly close calls. Dragon Boom was winning, but just barely.
Fans on FCW forum and social media and in the arena began to question whether the pressure of being champions was too much for them. Some doubted whether they could keep this up, while others argued that their heart and determination made them deserving champions.
As the weeks went on, the fanbase became divided. One camp fully supported Dragon Boom, appreciating their fighting spirit and how they managed to win even under immense pressure. These fans loved the underdog story that was unfolding—Dragon Boom was the scrappy team that never quit, no matter how tough the challenge.
But the other camp began to voice their doubts. Social media posts and forums were filled with comments questioning Dragon Boom's ability to hold onto the titles long-term. Many pointed out how close they came to losing in every defense, claiming that sooner or later, their luck would run out. The pressure was mounting, and it was beginning to show.
Despite this, Sandro and Kofi stuck to the plan laid out by Dusty, Steve, and the FCW Creative team. Each match was designed to test them, to push them to their limits, and to make the fans believe that every defense could be their last. The constant struggle was exhausting, but it was also building a narrative of resilience and heart that was resonating with a large portion of the audience.
_______________________
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