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The following morning, Sandro's parents were up early to see him off. Jack and Taylor accompanied him to the airport, the mood a little subdued but warm. Taylor, ever the supportive mother, hugged him tightly at the terminal. "We're so proud of you, Sandro. Just remember, whenever things get tough out there, you've always got us in your corner."
"I know, Mom," Sandro said, smiling softly. "And I appreciate that more than you know."
Jack shook his hand firmly, his eyes locking with Sandro's in a silent exchange of understanding. "Keep your head in the game. Whether it's wrestling or business, give it your all. And stay sharp."
"Always, Dad," Sandro replied, appreciating the seriousness of his father's advice.
After a few more farewells, Sandro turned toward security, his mind already shifting gears. It was time to get back to business. As he walked through the terminal and boarded his flight to Tampa, Sandro felt the familiar rush of excitement that always came with returning to the world of professional wrestling. His body and mind were rested, and he was ready for the next chapter.
When the plane touched down in Tampa, the buzz of the city instantly greeted Sandro. After gathering his bags, he called for a taxi and made his way to his apartment, the familiar drive allowing him to reflect on his next steps.
FCW was in an exciting period of growth, and with the impending possibility of Tyler Black and Jon Moxley joining the roster, Sandro felt like the promotion was on the brink of something major.
As the taxi neared his apartment complex, Sandro received a text from Kofi. It was a quick check-in, asking when they could catch up since Sandro was back in town.
Sandro replied, "Just landed. Let's meet up tomorrow at the gym."
Once he got back to his apartment, Sandro unpacked and began to settle in. The familiar sights and smells of his home away from home helped him transition back into his normal routine. There was something grounding about returning to his own space, where he could focus on his goals and prepare for the next phase of his career.
That evening, as Sandro sat down to a simple dinner, his thoughts returned to the conversation he'd had with Steve. He still hadn't heard any updates beyond their last text exchange, but he knew that sometimes negotiations took time. Still, the anticipation was building, and Sandro couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to share a locker room with the likes of Tyler Black and Jon Moxley.
The Shield—a dominant force that would one day rule the wrestling world—was not yet formed, but Sandro could already sense that something special was on the horizon.
It was clear to him that both Black and Moxley had the potential to reshape the industry in ways that few could predict. If Steve could finalize those contracts, FCW would be positioning itself as a major player in the wrestling world, and Sandro was eager to be a part of that evolution.
The next morning, Sandro hit the gym, determined to continue pushing himself to new heights. His goals hadn't changed—he still wanted to become a top-tier talent in FCW, with his eyes firmly set on the world championship.
But there was something else driving him now—a deeper sense of purpose, knowing that he was helping to shape the future of the company not just through his own performances, but through his contributions behind the scenes as well.
Kofi showed up halfway through Sandro's workout, and the two immediately fell back into their familiar rhythm. They trained hard, pushing each other to their limits, just like they had done for almost a year now. But there was also a sense of excitement and optimism in the air.
As Sandro and Kofi pushed through their intense workout, the familiar clanging of weights and rhythmic grunts of exertion filled the gym. After two weeks apart, they were syncing back into their routine effortlessly. The camaraderie they shared had grown over the past year, and it was more than just physical training—it was a shared drive to push each other to the next level, both in and out of the ring.
Halfway through their session, their friends Nick, Sheamus, Drew, and Stu walked into the training area. It was a welcome reunion, as the group hadn't seen each other in two weeks. There was an easygoing banter between them as they exchanged stories about their time off, cracking jokes and giving each other a hard time, as friends do.
"Look at you, Sandro!" Sheamus teased, clapping him on the back. "Must've spent the whole break lifting, eh? You're looking even bigger."
Sandro smirked, shaking his head. "Spent most of it eating, honestly. My mom made sure of that."
The group laughed as Nick chimed in. "Yeah, right. You've probably been lifting since you got off the plane."
As they continued catching up, Sandro noticed Windham's younger brother, Taylor Rotunda, walking into the gym. Taylor had been making waves in FCW over the past couple of weeks, and Sandro had been keeping a close eye on his progress. He waved Taylor over, eager to introduce him to the group.
"Taylor! Get over here," Sandro called out, his voice carrying across the gym. Taylor, still a little shy around some of the more seasoned wrestlers, hesitated for a moment before walking over.
As Taylor approached, Sandro introduced him to the group. "This is Taylor Rotunda—the one I introduced several months ago, he just had his debut match and he's been killing it these last few weeks."
Taylor gave a polite smile and shook hands with the guys, feeling a little overwhelmed by the star power around him. Despite that, he was grateful to Sandro for helping him bridge the gap. The group welcomed him warmly, and soon enough, Taylor was laughing along with them, swapping stories and experiences.
"Your debut's been getting a lot of buzz," Drew McIntyre said, nodding approvingly. "Saw your match against Byron Saxton—solid work."
"Thanks, man," Taylor said, scratching the back of his neck. "It's been a whirlwind, but I'm trying to stay focused. Just gotta keep improving."
Sandro patted him on the shoulder. "You're doing great, Taylor. Stick with it, and you'll go far."
As the group continued chatting, Dusty Rhodes walked into the gym alongside Steve. They approached the group, and everyone turned their attention to the two men, knowing that whenever Dusty or Steve showed up, there was usually something important on the horizon.
Dusty smiled warmly at the group, but his attention was on Taylor. "Taylor, my man, you've been impressin' me these past few weeks," he said in his trademark Southern drawl. "We've been watchin' ya, and you've got somethin' special. Steve and I've been talkin', and we think it's time to give you a little bit more of the spotlight."
Taylor's eyes widened, his excitement barely contained. "Really? What do you have in mind?"
Steve stepped forward, crossing his arms. "Next Monday, we're putting you in a non-title tag match against Sandro and Kofi. If you can find a partner and show us what you've got, we'll see about giving you a bigger role down the line."
Sandro raised an eyebrow, glancing at Kofi, who looked just as intrigued. A match against Taylor on live TV was an exciting prospect, not just because of the potential storylines but because it gave Taylor a real opportunity to showcase his skills in a high-profile setting.
"That's awesome, Taylor," Sandro said, genuinely excited for him. "I hope you're ready because Kofi and I aren't planning on taking it easy on you."
Kofi nodded with a playful grin. "No mercy, man. But it'll be fun."
Taylor's expression shifted from excitement to determination. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Dusty clapped his hands together, his smile widening. "That's the spirit! Now, Taylor, you just gotta find yourself a partner. Think hard about it, because this is your shot to prove you belong up there with the big dogs."
As Dusty and Steve left the gym, the group resumed their conversation, though now the focus was on Taylor's upcoming match. Sandro couldn't help but feel proud of how far Taylor had come. He remembered when Taylor was just a kid hanging around backstage, dreaming of one day being in the ring himself. Now, that dream was becoming a reality.
The rest of the workout continued, but there was a palpable sense of excitement in the air. Sandro and Kofi knew they had to bring their best to the match next Monday. After all, Taylor wasn't just a rookie anymore—he was earning his spot, and if he could deliver in this match, it could change the trajectory of his career.
That night, Sandro returned to his apartment, his mind still buzzing from the news. He thought back to his own debut and how much pressure he had felt to make an impact. Now, Taylor was in that same position, and Sandro knew exactly what was running through his mind. The nerves, the excitement, the weight of proving yourself in front of the FCW audience—it was all part of the process.
Sitting down at his computer, Sandro decided to do a bit of research on the current FCW roster, trying to figure out who Taylor might choose as a tag team partner. There were plenty of options, but he wondered if Taylor would go with someone familiar or try to align himself with a veteran to balance his inexperience. Sandro couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, wondering how everything would play out.
The next day, Sandro received a text from Windham. "Heard about Taylor's match. Thanks for looking out for him."
Sandro smiled as he read the message. Windham had always been like a big brother to him, and now it felt like he was returning the favor by helping guide Taylor through the early stages of his career. Sandro quickly replied, "He's earned it. Kid's got talent."
Windham's response was short but full of pride. "He does. Looking forward to seeing it."
Over the next few days, Sandro kept his focus on his own training, but his thoughts often drifted back to the upcoming match. He and Kofi had been working together long enough that they had developed strong chemistry, and they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses inside and out. That chemistry would give them an edge against Taylor and his partner, whoever that turned out to be.
The morning of the match arrived, and the locker room buzzed with anticipation. Sandro could feel the energy in the air as the FCW crew prepared for the live show. He and Kofi arrived early, going over their strategy for the match, but Sandro couldn't help but wonder who Taylor would pick to stand by his side.
A few hours before the show, Sandro spotted Taylor in the hallway, looking focused but a little nervous. "You ready for tonight?" Sandro asked, clapping him on the back.
Taylor nodded, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Yeah. I think so. I found a partner, by the way."
Sandro raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who's it gonna be?"
Taylor hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm teaming with Heath Slater. He's been giving me some advice since I started, and I trust him to help me through this."
Sandro grinned. "Good choice. Heath's solid, and he'll definitely have your back. Just remember to stay calm out there and stick to what you've been practicing. You've got this."
Taylor nodded, his confidence growing. "Thanks, Sandro. I won't let you down."
As the time for the match drew closer, Sandro and Kofi prepared to step into the ring. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, eager to see how Taylor would fare against two of FCW's top talents. Sandro could feel the anticipation in the air as they made their way to the ring, and when Taylor's music hit, the crowd roared with approval.
Taylor and Heath entered the ring, and Sandro couldn't help but admire how far Taylor had come. The kid had potential, and tonight would be the biggest test of his young career.
The bell rang, and the match began. From the opening moments, it was clear that Taylor had been working hard—his movements were crisp, his timing sharp, and his chemistry with Heath was surprisingly strong. But Sandro and Kofi weren't about to make things easy for them.
The match was fast-paced and hard-hitting, with both teams pushing each other to their limits. As the match entered its middle phase, Taylor found himself in the ring with Sandro, the two of them circling each other as the crowd roared.
This was the moment Taylor had been waiting for—a chance to prove himself against one of the top stars in FCW. Sandro could see the determination in his eyes, and he knew that Taylor wasn't going to back down. They locked up, and the crowd erupted as the two went back and forth, trading holds and counters in a display of pure wrestling skill.
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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