Becoming A Wrestler

If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12

___________________________

That evening, Sandro returned to his apartment in Orlando. He sat at his desk, poring over his notes from the day. The advice he'd received was invaluable, but it also underscored how much he still had to learn, not just from memory from his past life and WWE and mainstream point of view. Wrestling was more than just a business; it was a combination of many cultures, and to succeed, he needed to respect its nuances.

His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Jack: "We need to talk before the board meeting. Call me when you're free."

Sandro felt a mix of excitement and nerves. He knew his father was working behind the scenes to support him, but they hadn't discussed the Forbidden Door concept directly since Sandro had emailed it. He dialed Jack's number, and his father picked up almost immediately.

"Sandro," Jack began, his voice warm but serious, "I've reviewed your proposal, and I have to say, it's brilliant. The level of detail, the projections, the creativity, it's exactly what WWE needs right now."

"Thanks, Dad," Sandro said, a note of pride in his voice. "I just hope the board sees it the same way."

"They will," Jack assured him. "I've already got my executive team on board. But listen, Vince isn't going to roll over for this. He'll question the risks, the logistics, and probably the integrity of WWE's brand. Create a new proposal where you need to be ready to defend this idea from every angle, while the one you sent was already perfect I still found some loopholes that Vince could use to say no."

Sandro nodded, even though his father couldn't see him. "I've anticipated some of that, but what else do you think I should prepare for?"

Jack paused, considering. "Vince values loyalty and tradition, but he also respects results. Emphasize how this concept can bring in new fans while keeping the core audience engaged. Use the data in your proposal to show how this aligns with WWE's long-term growth strategy. And whatever you do, don't let him think you're trying to undermine his authority."

"Got it," Sandro said. "Thanks for the advice, Dad. I will create the new proposal and send it to you."

"Anytime," Jack replied. "Oh, and one more thing—don't be surprised if the War Games pitch comes up during the meeting. Stephanie and Triple H are pushing hard for it, and it's a solid idea. If the board approves both concepts, it could set WWE up for an incredible year."

Two days later, the WWE Board of Directors convened in Stamford, Connecticut. The room was filled with some of the most powerful figures in the company, including Vince McMahon, Stephanie, Triple H, Shane, and Jack.

Stephanie and Triple H presented the War Games pitch first. Their presentation was polished and passionate, highlighting the event's nostalgic appeal and potential to elevate FCW. Vince listened intently, occasionally nodding but keeping his thoughts to himself.

When it was Jack's turn, he stood confidently and began presenting the Forbidden Door concept with the new proposal that Sandro had made. He started by outlining the challenges WWE faced in maintaining its dominance in an evolving industry.

Then he introduced the idea of cross-promotional events, emphasizing how they could create a buzz unlike anything seen before and utilize the evolving technology, which shows that WWE also keeps up with time.

"This isn't just about collaborating with other promotions," Jack said, his voice steady. "It's about giving fans something they've only dreamed of, matches they never thought they'd see in their life or something that will never happen. By opening the Forbidden Door, WWE can solidify its position as the leader in professional wrestling innovation, and continue its dominance by also stopping any promotions that could come up with this kind of idea to overtake them."

As Jack spoke, he noticed Vince's expression shift from skepticism to intrigue. When he finished, the room was silent for a moment before the board members began discussing the idea.

Vince finally broke his silence. "It's a bold concept," he admitted. "But bold doesn't always mean better, it could make something worse than it was before. What guarantees do we have that this won't dilute WWE's brand? Not just in the eyes of the fans, but also our partners and sponsors?"

Jack was prepared for this. "Mr. McMahon, the Forbidden Door isn't about diluting the brand, it's about expanding WWE's brand. By showcasing WWE talent against the best from other promotions, we elevate our own stars and remind the world why WWE is the pinnacle of professional wrestling. This not only will attract audiences in America and around the globe, but also sponsors from around the world."

Stephanie chimed in, "And it doesn't have to conflict with our core programming as well. War Games and the Forbidden Door can coexist, each appealing to different segments of our audience."

After Stephanie's words fell, silence enveloped the meeting room. Vince McMahon's stoic expression betrayed no hint of his thoughts, leaving everyone in suspense. The boardroom atmosphere grew tense as directors began shifting in their seats, unsure whether Vince's silence signified disinterest, disapproval, or calculation.

Sensing the lull, several board members decided to break the silence, directing questions at both Stephanie and Jack about War Games and Forbidden Door respectively.

One director turned to Stephanie. "Ms.Stephanie, while War Games is a compelling concept, FCW is still developing its identity as our developmental brand. What measures do you have in place to ensure this event won't overshadow its current trajectory?"

Stephanie was ready. "That's a great question. War Games would be positioned not as a one-time event but as the culmination of long-term storylines. It's a tool to elevate FCW's roster while distinguishing the brand from Raw and SmackDown. By carefully crafting the narrative, we'll build interest over several months. This ensures War Games feels like an organic evolution rather than an abrupt spectacle in FCW."

The director nodded, seemingly satisfied, as another raised their hand to address Jack. "Mr. Jack, the Forbidden Door concept is undoubtedly bold, but collaborating with other promotions could introduce many challenges to us. How will WWE maintain creative control while ensuring these events align with the company's standards and criteria?"

Jack leaned forward, meeting the director's gaze. "An excellent point. Creative control is paramount in the wrestling industry. That's why the Forbidden Door events would be structured as WWE-led partnerships because, at the end of the day, other promotions receive much larger exposure than ours due to our bigger brand name. We would determine matchups, marketing strategies, and event branding. Other promotions would bring their top talents, but WWE would set the stage, ensuring our standards and criteria are fulfilled."

This prompted another question. "What about the risk of overexposure? WWE has always been a self-contained universe. Introducing external wrestlers could dilute our product and our wrestlers. How do you address that concern, Mr. Jack?"

Jack responded without hesitation. "It's all about exclusivity. Forbidden Door wouldn't be a regular occurrence; it would be a special event, something fans anticipate and speculate about, we could have it once a year or once every two years with different promotions. By carefully curating the matches and limiting the frequency, we maintain WWE's uniqueness while tapping into a broader market. This approach ensures that the Forbidden Door elevates the brand rather than oversaturating it."

As the Q&A session progressed, it became evident that both Stephanie and Jack had thoroughly prepared. Their answers left little room for doubt, persuading many directors of the concepts' viability. However, their approval wasn't enough; Vince held the final decision.

Sitting beside Vince, Linda McMahon had been silently observing her husband. She recognized his expression, a mixture of deep thought and the kind of skepticism that had built WWE into the powerhouse it was today.

Leaning slightly toward him, she gently nudged his arm. "Vince," she whispered, keeping her tone low enough that only he could hear, "these are extraordinary ideas. War Games is Dusty's legacy. If it works in FCW, we can bring it to WWE later, just like we've done with other developmental successes."

Vince didn't respond to Linda's words, his eyes still fixed on the papers in front of him as he was deep in thought.

"And Jack's proposal," Linda continued, "is bold, but it's smart. He's put Nexum Core's reputation on the line by backing this. Accepting the Forbidden Door doesn't mean committing to it immediately. Approving it now would keep Jack and Nexum Core on our side. Remember, they're our second-largest stakeholder. It's strategic."

Vince exhaled slowly, his fingers steepled as he finally looked up at everyone in the boardroom, while everyone prepared themselves for what Vince was about to say.

"Both of you have presented strong cases," Vince said, his deep voice cutting through the room's tension. "War Games is a proven concept, but it comes with risks in a developmental brand. FCW doesn't have the same audience as Raw or SmackDown. If this fails, it could hurt the brand's growth as our developmental brand."

Stephanie interjected, her tone respectful but firm. "Dad, FCW's roster has the talent to make this work. Dusty's mentorship and the event's structure will ensure that every participant is elevated. This isn't a gamble, it's more of an investment for FCW and by extending us as well."

Vince nodded slightly but didn't acknowledge her further. Instead, he shifted his attention to Jack. "As for the Forbidden Door," Vince continued, "this is the first proposal we've received from Nexum Core Enterprise and I'm surprised by how large the scale was. It's ambitious, no doubt about that. But ambition alone doesn't guarantee success. What makes you so confident this won't backfire, Jack?"

Jack smiled, his confidence unwavering. "Because it's not just ambition, Vince. It's calculated. I've studied the market, the audience, and the opportunities. The Forbidden Door isn't just a wrestling event, it's a statement to the world. It tells the world that WWE isn't afraid to innovate or engage with the broader wrestling community. And by maintaining creative control, we ensure that WWE remains the center of attention."

The room fell silent again as Vince leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the table. Everyone waited with bated breath.

Finally, Vince turned to the board. "We'll put both proposals to a vote. But let me make this clear: War Games will start in FCW only. If it shows results, we'll consider moving it to WWE's main programming. As for the Forbidden Door, we're approving it as a concept. Implementation will depend on further planning and a detailed execution strategy."

The board members exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. One by one, they cast their votes. After some time, the results came out and it was unanimous, both War Games and The Forbidden Door received approval.

As the meeting adjourned, the tension in the room dissolved into quiet murmurs and handshakes. Stephanie approached Jack, a mixture of relief and gratitude on her face.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "Your support made all the difference."

Jack smiled. "It's a win for all of us. War Games and the Forbidden Door have the potential to redefine WWE. As long as it brings benefit for WWE and by extend to us, we at Nexum Core would always push for it."

Nearby, Vince was speaking with Linda. Though his approval was cautious, Linda's earlier words had resonated with him. He couldn't ignore the potential these concepts held, especially with Nexum Core's influence behind one of them.

Later that evening, Sandro received a call from his father. Jack recounted the meeting's events, praising Sandro for his preparation and foresight.

"They approved it," Jack said. "War Games is moving forward in FCW, and the Forbidden Door is officially on the table. You did it, son. Your two big ideas were accepted."

Sandro felt a surge of pride but also a deep sense of responsibility. "This is just the beginning, Dad. Now we have to make it work." Jack chuckled. "That's the right mindset. Keep refining your ideas. WWE is a world of opportunities, but it's also a world of challenges. Stay sharp." As the call ended, Sandro sat back at his desk, staring at his notes. The road ahead would be tough, but he was ready.

_______________________

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