Chapter 122: 115. Stephanie & Triple H Brainstorming
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Stephanie gestured for him to take a seat across from her desk, her expression serious. "I just got off the phone with Dusty. He and Sandro pitched something incredible—a War Games pay-per-view for FCW. Dusty explained the concept, and honestly, I think it could work. But you know how Dad is. He's resistant to anything that deviates from his vision, even if it's brilliant."
Triple H nodded thoughtfully, leaning forward in his chair. "War Games… that's Dusty's old idea from WCW, right? Two rings, one massive cage, and teams battling it out? I've always thought it had potential, especially with the drama of the staggered entries. Fans would eat it up, since it's a nostalgia for the older or hardcore fans and something new for the much younger or new fans."
"Exactly," Stephanie agreed. "And Sandro didn't just suggest the match, he wants to build an entire pay-per-view around it, maybe as a main event. Dusty's completely on board, and they're already refining the details. The problem is Dad. You know how he can be about ideas that didn't originate with him. If he shoots it down, we may not get another chance to prove its value."
Triple H leaned back, rubbing his chin in thought. "If we want Vince to consider this, we'll need more than just enthusiasm. He'll want numbers, projections, and proof that this won't be a flop. We could position it as a trial run in FCW, low-risk and high-reward. If it works, it could transition to the main roster, and become a new pay-per-view in the future."
Stephanie nodded, already anticipating her father's objections. "Dusty said that if push comes to shove, he's willing to move forward without Dad's approval, show him the results, and let the success speak for itself."
Triple H raised an eyebrow, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Classic Dusty. Bold, but risky. If it flops, Vince won't let him or Sandro hear the end of it. But if it works, it could solidify Sandro as more than just a performer. It would show to Vince that he's got a mind for the business."
Stephanie smiled. "That's exactly why I want your input. If we're going to present this to Dad, we need to frame it in a way that makes him see the potential without feeling like we're challenging his authority, so he wouldn't shut us down."
Triple H stood up and began pacing, a sure sign his wheels were turning. "Alright. Here's what we do: We pitch War Games as a way to elevate FCW. Focus on how it can prepare talent for the main roster by putting them in high-pressure, storytelling-heavy situations. Sell it as a developmental tool, not just a spectacle for the main roster pay-per-view."
Stephanie jotted down notes as Triple H spoke. "That's smart. If we position it as something that benefits WWE's pipeline, he's more likely to listen. And we can back it up with a proposal that outlines the financial and fan engagement opportunities."
Hunter nodded. "Exactly. And we emphasize Dusty's involvement. Vince trusts Dusty's instincts, even if he doesn't always admit it. If Dusty's leading the charge, it lends credibility to the idea."
Stephanie set her pen down, looking determined. "I'll draft a formal pitch for Dad, but I think it's worth bringing this up at the next creative meeting. If we can get a few allies on board, it might sway him."
Hunter smirked. "And if he still says no?"
Stephanie shrugged. "Then Dusty will go rogue, and we'll make sure it's so successful that Dad can't ignore it. We could also have Jack and Nexum Core back us up in case Dad was too stubborn, I'm sure they would see the value in this."
The two shared a laugh before Triple H excused himself to prepare for his upcoming match next week. Stephanie felt a renewed sense of determination as she returned to her desk, already sketching out the framework for their pitch.
Meanwhile, back at Dusty's office, Dusty sat at his desk, going over the rules and structure of the War Games match for the umpteenth time. His passion for the concept was palpable, and he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride knowing Sandro had independently arrived at the same idea.
The phone call with Stephanie had gone better than expected, but Dusty knew the road ahead wasn't without its obstacles. Vince McMahon was a hard man to sway, even with a concept as solid as War Games. But Dusty was no stranger to challenges, and he had faith in the idea and in Sandro.
Sandro's pitch had lit a fire under Dusty. The kid had something special, not just in the ring but in his understanding of what wrestling fans wanted. Dusty had seen countless rookies come through FCW, but few had the blend of talent, charisma, and creativity that Sandro possessed with the right understanding of the industry.
Reaching for the phone again, Dusty dialed Sandro's number. "Hey, kid," Dusty said when Sandro picked up. "I just wanted to let you know, that I just talked to Stephanie about War Games. She's interested, real interested. We've got a fight ahead of us to get this approved, but I think we're on the right track."
Sandro's voice was full of energy. "That's great to hear, Dusty! I've been working on the Forbidden Door pitch all evening. If War Games gets the green light, it could pair perfectly with the crossover event."
Dusty chuckled. "You don't do things halfway, do you? Keep at it, kid. You've got somethin' here. Just remember, this business is about more than just ideas, it's about execution in the end. If we pull this off, it'll be because we put in the work to make it perfect."
"You've got my word, Dusty," Sandro replied. "I won't let this opportunity slip by." after saying that, Sandro closed the call and continued to wait for his father's response about the forbidden door email he had just sent, while he was browsing through the internet to find something interesting or worth investing.
Later on the same evening, Stephanie and Triple H sat down at their home, reviewing the draft pitch for War Games. The document outlined every detail, from the match structure to the potential benefits for WWE.
Stephanie had also included a section on how War Games could tie into future storylines on the main roster, emphasizing its value as a long-term investment that could create numerous lucrative merch.
Hunter pointed to one section of the document. "We should add examples of how similar concepts have worked in the past. Even if Vince doesn't like referencing WCW, we can frame it as a 'legacy idea' that WWE is reclaiming and perfecting."
Stephanie nodded, making a note. "Good idea. And we should include projections on viewership and social media engagement. If we can show how this appeals to the modern audience, it'll be harder for Dad to dismiss."
As Stephanie and Triple H continued refining the War Games pitch, the doorbell rang unexpectedly. Triple H glanced up from the document, slightly surprised. "Who could that be at this hour?" he muttered, standing up to check.
Opening the door, he was greeted by the familiar grin of Shane McMahon, his brother-in-law. Shane stood there with several gift bags in hand, looking as if he had just come from an impromptu shopping spree.
"Shane," Triple H said, smirking. "What are you doing here? It's kind of late."
Shane chuckled, stepping into the foyer. "Relax, Paul. I came to see my favorite nieces, spoil them a little, and, of course, have a chat with my favorite brother-in-law and sister. Maybe talk some business, you know, away from Dad's ever-watchful eye and ears in the office."
Triple H laughed, gesturing for Shane to come in. "Well, you're always welcome here, even if you come bearing gifts that will probably ruin their bedtime routine."
From the living room, Stephanie's voice called out. "Who is it, Hunter?"
Before he could answer, Shane spoke up loudly, "It's your favorite older brother!"
Stephanie rolled her eyes as she appeared in the doorway. "I only have one brother, Shane." Her tone was dry, but the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.
Shane placed the gift bags on the couch, turning his attention to his nieces, who had come running at the sound of his voice. After spending a few moments handing out gifts and catching up with them, Shane finally joined Stephanie and Triple H in the living room, where the couple had been deep in discussion.
"So, what's all this?" Shane asked, gesturing to the documents spread out on the coffee table.
Stephanie leaned back on the couch and sighed. "It's a proposal for Dad. Dusty pitched the idea of bringing back War Games in FCW due to Sandro pitching the idea to him, and we're trying to figure out how to present it so Dad will actually consider it."
Shane raised an eyebrow. "War Games? Now that takes me back. Dusty's old WCW brainchild, right? Two rings, one giant cage, team entries staggered… I remember watching that as a kid. Honestly, it's a great idea. What's stopping Dad from saying yes?"
Triple H exchanged a glance with Stephanie before answering. "You know how he is. If it didn't come from him or if it's too tied to WCW, he's going to hesitate. We're trying to pitch it as a developmental tool for FCW, something that can help prepare talent for the main roster. But even with that angle, it's going to take some convincing."
Shane nodded slowly, his mind already racing. "Alright, let me think. Did you say Dusty's involved? That's a plus. Dad may be stubborn, but he respects Dusty's instincts. And if you can frame this as something that boosts FCW and ties into the future of WWE, he might listen."
"Exactly," Stephanie said, handing Shane the draft. "We've outlined the match structure, the benefits for talent, and even a section on how it could lead to long-term storylines on the main roster. But we know Dad—he'll want more than just creative ideas. He needs numbers, projections, and proof that this can drive engagement and revenue."
Shane skimmed through the document, his brow furrowed, then leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest thoughtfully. "Okay, let's talk strategy. You've got Dusty, you've got the concept, and you've got a killer pitch. What you need is someone who can back you up when you present this to Dad. Someone whose opinion he can't ignore."
Triple H smirked. "Are you volunteering?"
"Maybe," Shane said with a grin. "But I'm thinking bigger. What about bringing in someone like Jack and Nexum Core? If they see the value in this and support it, Dad might feel pressured to take it seriously."
Stephanie looked intrigued. "That's not a bad idea. Jack's always been an advocate for innovation seeing from the things he allowed in Marvel and UFC, Nexum Core has been pushing for more experimental content to drive engagement. If we can get him on board, it might tip the scales in our favor."
"And if Dad still says no?" Shane asked, raising an eyebrow.
Stephanie's eyes narrowed slightly, her determination evident. "Then Dusty goes ahead with it anyway. We've already talked about that possibility. If War Games is a success in FCW, Dad won't be able to ignore it. And if it flops… well, Dusty's willing to take that risk."
Shane chuckled. "Classic Dusty. Alright, I'm in. Let me know how I can help. This idea is too good to let it die on the vine."
The three of them continued brainstorming late into the night, fine-tuning the pitch and discussing ways to present it to Vince. They worked out every possible objection he might raise and crafted counterarguments, focusing on the financial and creative benefits of War Games.
By the time Shane left, the pitch had evolved into a polished, comprehensive proposal that highlighted every potential angle: nostalgia, talent development, fan engagement, and long-term revenue opportunities. Stephanie and Triple H felt more confident than ever, knowing they had covered all their bases.
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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