If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
They continued training, with Sandro observing and guiding Taylor, reminding him of the strategies they had discussed for the upcoming match. He watched as Taylor practiced his moves with renewed focus, his form sharp and his expressions intense. It was clear that Taylor was taking their advice to heart, pushing himself to be better and live up to the legacy of his family.
Back inside Dusty's office, Dusty and Steve poured over the stack of profiles Sandro had meticulously annotated for the two of them during their meeting just now, considering the potential of each female wrestler he'd recommended.
Sandro's insights struck both men as not only insightful but almost visionary. At the top of his list were two names he put a large mark on: Davina Rose, whom he proposed be rebranded as "Bayley," and Rebecca Knox, an experienced Irish wrestler who'd had wrestles in both Europe and North America, with the suggestion to reintroduce her as "Becky Lynch."
Dusty ran his fingers over the notes Sandro had scribbled beside their names. Both Bayley and Becky Lynch had qualities that aligned with the evolving landscape of women's wrestling, one where technical skill, charisma, and resilience were paramount.
Bayley was noted for her infectious energy and connection with fans, while Lynch exuded a fierce, gritty style that made her a force in the ring. Dusty nodded, his mind churning as he and Steve discussed how to move forward.
"These two names, Bayley and Becky, they're exactly what we need right now," Dusty mused. "They bring something fresh. The fans are gonna see a whole different level of wrestling with these women showcasing what they have."
Steve agreed. "Let's reach out to both of them right away. They'll be great assets, and we can start building their characters as soon as they come in. The women's division has been needing stars with this kind of raw talent and appeal, of course not calling the female division doesn't have talent and appeal, but something fresh could make the fans pumped up."
Dusty immediately made arrangements to get in touch with Davina and Rebecca, feeling confident about their decision to bring them on board. The thought of Bayley's smile and Becky Lynch's intensity on the FCW roster excited him, he could already envision them in key storylines that would resonate with fans of all ages here in FCW.
Moving down Sandro's list, they came to two more names that had piqued their interest: Ashley Elizabeth Flair and Alexis Kaufman. After reading through their information, Ashley, the daughter of Ric Flair, caught their attention for obvious reasons.
Steve looked at Dusty with raised eyebrows, surprised that Sandro had marked the daughter of the legendary Nature Boy. He couldn't help but smile at the irony of the situation.
"Ric's daughter, huh?" Steve chuckled. "Imagine Flair's reaction when he finds out she's trying to follow in his footsteps. I'm willing to bet he has no idea that his teenage daughter submitted this paper."
Dusty grinned, recalling his long-standing friendship with Ric. "I think I better give Ric a call myself. Ashley's got some big boots to fill if she's serious about this, and you know Flair's bound to have some strong opinions."
With Alexis Kaufman, they were immediately intrigued. Alexis had a gymnastics background and an intense athletic drive that would lend itself well to the physical demands of wrestling.
Dusty noted Sandro's comments on her adaptability and willingness to learn, which, combined with her passion for fitness, made her a promising candidate seeing from the information and experiences that she submitted. They agreed to offer her a developmental contract, confident she'd bring a fresh, unique presence to the roster.
Dusty and Steve then focused on the strategic moves to recruit each of these women. Dusty picked up the phone and dialed Ric Flair's number, his mind already churning with how best to broach the subject. Ric answered after a few rings, his trademark laugh booming through the receiver.
"Dusty, you old dog! Woo! What's got you calling this time of day?" Ric's voice was filled with his usual charm, a hint of mischief beneath the surface.
Dusty chuckled, taking a moment to savor the irony before diving in. "I'll get right to it, Ric. I got a surprising bit of news: your daughter, Ashley, is interested in joining FCW. She's put herself on the list for a developmental contract."
There was a pause, and Dusty could almost picture the expression of surprise on Ric's face as he processed the news, not expecting such news from Dusty.
"Well, I'll be," Ric said finally, a mix of pride and incredulity coloring his voice. "She didn't say a word to me about it, but I knew she had that fire in her. Guess it runs in the blood."
Dusty smiled. "If you're on board with this, we'd love to give her a shot. She's got talent, and with her athletic background, I think she could go far."
"You have my blessing, Dusty," Ric replied warmly. "But tell her, if she's serious, she's got to earn her place like everyone else. No shortcuts just because she's my daughter."
After wrapping up the call, Dusty filled Steve in on Ric's approval. They finalized plans to offer Ashley and Alexis developmental contracts, excited to see how these young women would shape FCW's future.
Meanwhile, in the training room, Taylor was running drills with Kofi, working through footwork and technique to prepare for his upcoming match against Creed. Sandro stood nearby, observing with a critical eye, occasionally chiming in with advice or corrections.
"Keep your stance wide," Sandro coached, his voice steady. "Remember, Creed's going to target your legs; don't give him the opening he's looking for."
Taylor nodded, adjusting his stance as Sandro instructed, his face set in determination. The weight of the match was bearing down on him. It wasn't just about besting Creed; it was a chance to prove himself, to rise above his doubts, and to live up to the legacy of his family's wrestling dynasty.
As Taylor drilled, Sandro took a moment to appreciate how far he had come. He'd started out as an eager yet inexperienced wrestler, eager to make a name for himself but plagued by insecurity. Now, under Sandro and Kofi's guidance, he was maturing into a skilled and resilient competitor.
After an intense training session, Sandro called for a break. He and Taylor sat down, both catching their breath, while Kofi ran through a few drills on his own.
"Feeling ready?" Sandro asked, patting Taylor on the back.
Taylor exhaled deeply, wiping sweat from his brow. "As ready as I can be. It's a big match, Sandro. I want to prove to everyone that I deserve to be here. Not just as another name, but as someone they can root for."
Sandro nodded, understanding the pressure Taylor felt. "You're going to do great. Just remember, this match isn't about Creed—it's about you and your journey. You've worked hard, and the fans see that. Focus on giving them the best match you can, and everything else will fall into place."
The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both feeling the weight of the upcoming match and the journey that had led them here. Sandro knew that, with Taylor's talent and drive, this match would be a defining moment for him.
As the week progressed, word began to spread around FCW that the women's division was about to gain some significant new talent. Sandro's recommendations had created a buzz, and everyone was eager to see how these new faces would shake things up. Bayley, Becky Lynch, and the other women Sandro had recommended were anticipated with excitement by the trainers and wrestlers alike.
The day of the match arrived, and the crowd was electric with anticipation as Taylor, Sandro, and Kofi made their way to the ring. The energy in the arena was palpable as fans cheered for Taylor, his presence in the ring showing a newfound confidence. Sandro and Kofi took up positions at ringside, ready to offer him the support he'd need.
As Creed's music hit, the crowd buzzed with anticipation, noticing he wasn't moving with his usual cocky swagger. Instead, he took in the atmosphere and fixed his gaze on Taylor in the ring.
He exuded intensity, charging down the ramp at top speed, leaving the audience and even Taylor visibly surprised. Creed slid into the ring, wasting no time as he tackled Taylor, raining down a series of fierce punches. The crowd erupted into boos, disapproving of Creed's aggressive ambush.
The referee quickly signaled for the bell, officially starting the match. Sandro and Kofi, stationed ringside, called out instructions, encouraging Taylor to stay focused. Their presence was steadying for Taylor, who fought off the initial onslaught, blocking and deflecting Creed's blows. But Creed was relentless, determined to break Taylor's defenses and assert his dominance.
The first few minutes of the match were intense, with both wrestlers exchanging powerful moves. Taylor's resilience was on full display, bouncing back each time Creed seemed to gain the upper hand. Creed, meanwhile, played his part as the ruthless heel, taunting Taylor and egging him on, feeding off the crowd's boos.
Taylor managed to counter one of Creed's strikes, delivering a powerful forearm that knocked Creed back, giving him a moment to reset his stance. Seizing the opportunity, Taylor took Creed down with a thunderous clothesline, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The energy in the arena spiked as Taylor began to control the pace, delivering a series of moves that showcased his agility and strength. Sandro and Kofi cheered him on, their pride evident as they watched Taylor thrive under pressure.
Creed, however, was far from defeated. He shook off Taylor's attacks, countering with a well-placed kick to Taylor's midsection, doubling him over. Creed then capitalized on Taylor's momentary vulnerability, hoisting him up for a suplex that echoed throughout the arena as Taylor's back hit the mat. The fans groaned in sympathy, but Sandro's voice cut through the noise, encouraging Taylor to get back up.
Fueled by his mentor's words and the roar of the crowd, Taylor rose to his feet. He charged at Creed, launching a high-impact offense of kicks, chops, and suplexes that had Creed reeling. The fans rallied behind Taylor, their cheers a testament to how far he had come.
At the ten-minute mark, both wrestlers were visibly worn, yet neither showed signs of backing down. The exchanges grew more intense, with each wrestler pushing the other to their limits. Creed tried for a top-rope maneuver, but Taylor countered, sending Creed crashing to the mat. He quickly climbed to the top rope himself, and with a deep breath, leaped off, hitting Creed with a flying elbow drop that brought the crowd to their feet.
Sandro and Kofi beamed from ringside, knowing Taylor had just delivered a career-defining moment. Taylor went for the pin, but Creed kicked out at two, deflating the fans but not deterring Taylor. He stayed on Creed, locking him in a submission hold, aiming to wear him down.
The two men continued to battle, exchanging slams, punches, kicks, forearms, clotheslines, and even diving moves off the ropes. Each move was more brutal than the last, with both wrestlers pouring their heart and soul into the match.
At the fifteen-minute mark, with both men exhausted but determined, Creed tried a different approach. He caught the referee's attention, pretending to be tangled in the top turnbuckle.
As the referee turned to assist, Creed looked over his shoulder, smirking before delivering a sly low blow to Taylor. The crowd erupted in outrage, and Sandro and Kofi protested loudly, condemning Creed's underhanded tactic.
Ignoring the boos, Creed capitalized on Taylor's momentary weakness, hitting his finisher, the Culture Shock—a devastating Hammerlock Legsweep DDT. He went for the pin, and the referee, having finished fixing the turnbuckle, turned back to count. The crowd held their breath, devastated by what seemed to be an inevitable loss for Taylor.
"One… two…"
Just as the referee's hand was about to hit the mat for the third count, Taylor shot his shoulder up, breaking the pin. The arena exploded with cheers, Sandro and Kofi nearly jumping with excitement as they watched Taylor dig deep to stay in the fight. Creed, however, was furious, pounding the mat and shouting at the referee. His frustration was palpable as he struggled to comprehend Taylor's resilience.
Taylor, meanwhile, was feeding off the energy of the crowd, his eyes meeting Sandro's and Kofi's as they signaled encouragement. This was his moment; he could feel it. As Creed turned back to argue with the referee again, Taylor seized the opportunity. Gathering the last of his strength, he stalked Creed from behind, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Finally, Creed turned around, and Taylor wasted no time. He locked Creed's arms, lifting him before driving him down with his own finisher, the Double Underhook DDT. The impact was powerful, and the crowd erupted in chants of Taylor's name. The referee dropped to the mat for the count.
"One… two… three!"
The bell rang, and the arena exploded as the announcer declared Taylor the winner. Sandro and Kofi rushed into the ring, embracing Taylor in celebration. He had done it. He had proven himself not only to his trainers but also to the fans and, most importantly, to himself. He had finally stepped out from the shadows of his family legacy and carved out a space that was entirely his own.
_______________________
Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 19 (2009)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions