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Outside, Sandro drove away from the apartment, his mind still buzzing with everything that had happened. The day had been more than just a conversation—it had been a turning point. He knew that when they eventually sat down with Brianna, everything would come to a head. The outcome was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, Sandro felt like they were moving in the right direction.
Time passed and it was Monday, the day of another FCW Live Television show. The FCW arena was buzzing with excitement as fans filled every seat, eager to see their favorite wrestlers in action. Those who couldn't snag a ticket were glued to their screens at home, tuning in for what promised to be an explosive night of wrestling entertainment.
Backstage, the atmosphere was electric, a mix of anticipation and last-minute preparations. Sandro stood with his tag team partner, Kofi, their FCW Tag Team Championship belts slung over their shoulders.
The weight of the gold felt more significant than ever as they huddled with Dusty and Steve, going over the final details of their promo one last time. They had rehearsed it repeatedly, tweaking every line, perfecting every pause and gesture.
This wasn't just any promo. It was their moment to cement their reign as the undisputed FCW Tag Team Champions, fresh off their grueling victory over The Empire in the Steel Cage Iron Man match.
The bout had been brutal, both teams pushing each other to their limits, but Sandro and Kofi had come out victorious, silencing any doubters who still viewed them as underdogs. Tonight's promo was about declaring themselves the benchmark of the tag team division.
"Remember," Dusty said, his voice low but firm, "this promo isn't just about celebrating the win. It's about staking your claim. You're not the underdogs anymore. You are the team to beat."
Sandro nodded, feeling the adrenaline pulse through him. He'd been working on a key line for the promo, something that would not only resonate with the fans but also pay homage to wrestling history. "I'm going to drop one of Ric Flair's classics," Sandro said, his eyes gleaming. "'If you want to be the man, you've got to beat the man.' It'll hit hard, especially coming after the match we just had and to say that we are the standard of the division now."
Kofi grinned, always supportive of Sandro's flair for the dramatic. "That's gonna kill it, man. That's definitely will resonate with the fans!"
Steve gave a final nod of approval. "You've got the green light from the two of us for this promo. Go out there and own it."
As they prepared to make their entrance, the arena's noise filtered through the heavy curtains. The match before their promo had just ended, and Nicole, Brianna, and Alicia stepped backstage after Alicia's defeat at the hands of Brianna.
Despite the tension in their personal lives, the women were all business tonight, carrying themselves with the professional grace that came with being top stars in the division.
Sandro and Kofi greeted them as they passed by, exchanging quick, friendly nods and words of encouragement. Nicole smiled warmly at Sandro, though her eyes lingered on him just a little longer than usual, a quiet acknowledgment of their recent conversation.
Brianna, on the other hand, was different. Where there had once been easy banter and familiarity, now there was a noticeable distance. She gave Sandro a brief, almost cold nod before looking away, her detachment palpable. It wasn't overtly hostile, but the warmth that used to exist between them was gone, replaced by something more guarded.
Sandro felt the sting of her withdrawal, confusion washing over him. He knew things were complicated with her, especially after the conversation about polyamory, but this coldness was unexpected. Still, he couldn't afford to dwell on it right now. Not with the promo looming. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.
"Ready?" Kofi asked, sensing Sandro's momentary distraction.
"Yeah," Sandro replied, shaking off his unease. "Let's do this."
With their cue approaching, Sandro and Kofi took their positions behind the curtain, waiting for the production team to signal their entrance. The crowd's anticipation was building, and when their music hit, the arena erupted into a thunderous ovation.
Sandro and Kofi strode out, tag titles glinting under the bright lights, their confident demeanors telling the audience everything they needed to know—these were champions, and they were here to make a statement.
The two of them climbed into the ring, the roar of the fans filling every inch of the space. Sandro took the microphone first, raising it to his lips as the crowd quieted just enough to hear him.
"Three days ago," he began, his voice steady and powerful, "we stepped into that steel cage with The Empire. Everyone said we didn't stand a chance. We were called the underdogs, the flukes, the team that got lucky."
Kofi took the mic next, his deep voice cutting through the cheers. "But here's the thing. We didn't just survive that match. We dominated it. We showed everyone that we're not just two guys holding titles, we're the standard in this division."
Sandro nodded, taking the mic back. "And you know what? We proved that if you want to be the man, you've got to beat the man. And guess what? We are the men. We're the FCW Tag Team Champions, and we're not going anywhere! The only way to get us out is by taking these titles of our hands, so those backstage can come and try!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, the energy inside the arena electric. Sandro could feel the adrenaline pumping through him, every word he spoke resonating with the fans. He and Kofi were on top of the world, and tonight was the exclamation point on their hard-earned reign.
As they wrapped up their promo, the crowd's chants of their names filled the arena, a chorus of support that echoed through the rafters. Sandro and Kofi stood tall, holding their belts high, basking in the adulation. This was their moment, and they had seized it.
Backstage, as Sandro and Kofi made their way through the curtain, the high from their successful promo still coursing through them, they were met with congratulations from the crew and fellow wrestlers. Nicole smiled and gave Sandro a quick thumbs-up. Brianna, however, barely acknowledged him, her attention elsewhere as she spoke quietly with Alicia.
The coldness in Brianna's demeanor gnawed at Sandro, and as the night progressed, it became harder to ignore. He had to admit to himself that something was seriously wrong. Brianna had always been easygoing with him, but he didn't know why there was a rift between them that he didn't fully understand.
After finishing up their segments for the night, Sandro decided he couldn't let it fester any longer. He needed to talk to her, to clear the air if possible. He found her near the catering table, alone and sipping on a water bottle, her eyes distant.
"Brianna," Sandro said softly as he approached.
She looked up, her expression unreadable. "Hey."
"Can we talk?" he asked, unsure of how to approach the conversation but knowing it couldn't wait.
Brianna hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, sure. Let's talk."
They found a quiet corner backstage where they could have some privacy, away from the bustling activity of the arena. Sandro took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Brianna, I've noticed that you have been… acting different tonight," Sandro began, his tone gentle but direct. "And I think I know why these sudden changes come, but I want to hear it from you. I want to understand how you're feeling."
Brianna's face softened slightly, though her eyes remained guarded. "It's just… everything's really complicated, Sandro. April and Nicole told me yesterday about what the three of you talked about and I thought I was okay with everything at first since you were open about it, I try to be open about it even though I denied it at first, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not. I don't think I can be a part of… whatever this is that's developing between you, April, and Nicole."
Sandro felt a pang in his chest, but he nodded, urging her to continue.
"I love April and Nicole, and I care about you too, but I'm not comfortable with the whole polyamory thing," she admitted, her voice wavering. "I know they're exploring this with you, and that's fine for them, but it's not what I want. And it's hard for me because I feel like I'm being left behind and hurting the three of you."
Sandro's heart sank. He had suspected this, but hearing Brianna say it out loud made it real. He respected her honesty, but he hated that she felt left out. "I'm really sorry, Brianna. I never wanted to make you feel like you were being left behind and feel guilty about these things. I care about you, and I don't want to lose our friendship."
"I know," she said softly. "But it's complicated now. I can't be in the same space as you and April and Nicole without feeling… somewhat uncomfortable."
Sandro nodded, understanding the depth of her discomfort. "What do you want to do, then? How can we make this better?"
Brianna sighed, looking down at her hands. "I don't know. I think I just need some space for now. To figure things out on my own. I don't want to lose any of you, but I can't be around this situation right now."
Sandro felt a weight settle in his chest. He respected her need for space, but the thought of Brianna distancing herself from the group was painful. "I understand," he said quietly. "Take all the time you need. We'll still be here, no matter what."
Brianna gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, Sandro. I appreciate that."
With that, the conversation came to an end, and Sandro watched as Brianna walked away, the distance between them now more than just physical. As Sandro stood there, lost in thought, he realized that the direction he thought about last night, maybe was right for himself but not others.
As Sandro was wallowing in his thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had transpired with Brianna, he felt a gentle pat on his shoulder from behind. Turning around, he found Nicole and April standing there, their expressions a mixture of encouragement and sadness. It was clear they knew something, and their presence offered both comfort and a reminder of the complex emotional entanglements he now found himself in.
April, her voice soft but filled with concern, asked, "Hey, Sandro… can we talk? Somewhere private? We've got some things we need to share with you. It's about Brianna, and we think you should know."
Sandro, still reeling from his earlier conversation with Brianna, simply nodded. He knew this talk was inevitable. With the arena buzzing with people everywhere, the backstage area wasn't exactly ideal for a heart-to-heart. "Let's head to my car. It's quiet there, and we can talk without worrying about anyone listening in."
They made their way through the sea of wrestlers, production staff, and crew, the noise of the arena fading as they exited the building. The night air was cool, and it gave Sandro a moment to collect himself.
The atmosphere outside the venue felt worlds apart from the charged excitement inside. As they reached his car, he unlocked the doors and gestured for Nicole and April to get in. Once inside, with the doors shut and the hum of the city outside muffled, the tension in the air was palpable. April and Nicole exchanged glances before April finally broke the silence.
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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