Chapter 18: 17. Training Evaluation Match
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Driving home, Sandro reflected on the evening. The connection he felt with April was undeniable, and he was excited to see where their friendship and potentially more might lead. For now, he was content to enjoy the journey, knowing that with people like April by his side, the future was bright.
After parking his car in the parking lot, Sandro went inside his apartment, eager to wind down after a long day. He took a hot shower, letting the steam relax his muscles, and then changed into a set of clean, comfy clothes. Feeling refreshed, he turned on his computer, opened Microsoft Word, and began drafting the plan for the mall acquisition and redesigning project.
Sandro meticulously typed out his thoughts, calculations, and ideas. He detailed the investment required for the project, the expected profits, and the timeline for completion.
He included various interior design concepts, envisioning a modern, attractive space that would draw in shoppers and create a vibrant atmosphere. For the next two hours, he immersed himself in the project, his mind racing with possibilities and strategies.
Satisfied with his progress, Sandro saved the file and turned off his computer. He glanced at the clock, realizing it was quite late. He climbed into bed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.
The day's events replayed in his mind, especially his dinner with April. He drifted off to sleep with a sense of anticipation for what the future might bring.
The next three days flew by in a whirlwind of training, meetings, and growing friendships. Sandro and April's relationship warmed up quickly, and they found themselves spending more time together. Whether it was training side by side, sharing meals, or discussing wrestling techniques, their bond deepened.
Nick, Kofi, Drew, and Sheamus noticed the budding connection between Sandro and April. They teased Sandro good naturedly, but they also respected his privacy and supported his blossoming friendship with April.
The Bella Twins, Nicole and Brianna, were also aware of the growing closeness between Sandro and April. This awareness sparked a subtle but noticeable competition. Nicole and Brianna began to act more daringly, trying to get closer to Sandro and vying for his attention.
Nicole invited him to join her for dinner one evening, while Brianna suggested they team up for a special training session. Sandro appreciated their company and enjoyed the time he spent with them, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being caught in the middle of an unspoken rivalry.
This situation gave Sandro a bit of a headache. While he appreciated the attention from the Bella Twins and enjoyed their company, he couldn't ignore the complexity of the dynamics he got caught on unknowingly.
Three female wrestlers, whom he had only seen on TV in his past life, now showed some sort of interest in him. It was a dream come true for him, but at the same time, it also presented challenges he hadn't anticipated as his past life and current life didn't prepare him for such matters.
Despite the occasional tension, Sandro managed to navigate the situation tactfully. He focused on his training and workouts, using the intensity of his sessions to clear his mind and maintain his physical peak.
The competition for his attention pushed him to work even harder, striving to be the best version of himself both in and out of the ring, while trying to keep his mind out of the gutter before he do something that he will regret.
Unknown to Sandro, the interactions between him and the three female wrestlers had not gone unnoticed by Dusty and Steve. They had been observing him closely and were impressed by his ability to remain focused on his training despite the distractions.
It was clear to them that Sandro had the mental fortitude and discipline required to succeed in the wrestling world.
More importantly, Sandro had been with FCW for about a month and a half and had shown remarkable improvement. He could hold his own against veterans like Nick and Sheamus in the ring, and his victory over Caylen in an impromptu match without any rehearsal had cemented their belief in his potential.
As Sandro was taking a rest from his training one day, both Steve and Dusty approached him. Before Nicole and Brianna could swarm around him, Dusty spoke up, "Sandro, we need to talk."
Sandro looked up, wiping the sweat from his brow with a towel. "Sure, what's up?"
Steve crossed his arms, a smile playing on his lips. "We think it's time for your evaluation. You've shown us that nothing can distract you from your training, and your progress has been phenomenal."
Sandro's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "Really? An evaluation? So soon?"
Dusty nodded. "Yes. It will take place tomorrow. You've earned this opportunity, Sandro. Show us what you're made of, kid."
Sandro could hardly contain his enthusiasm. "Thank you! I promise I'll give it my all and prove that your trust in me isn't misplaced."
Steve clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit. We have high hopes for you, Sandro."
Dusty added, "Just keep doing what you've been doing, don't let anything distract you, and you'll be fine."
As Dusty and Steve walked away, Nick, Kofi, Drew, and Sheamus, who had been resting nearby, came over to congratulate him.
"About time you got your shot," Nick said, grinning. "You've been killing it in training and putting you on our training program is a waste of talent."
Kofi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you've definitely earned this, man."
Drew added, "Just stay focused and keep your head in the game, mate. You'll do great tomorrow."
Sheamus clapped a hand on Sandro's shoulder. "Give 'em hell tomorrow, fella. Show 'em what you're made of."
Nicole and Brianna, who had been watching from a distance, saw their chance to join the group. They came over, smiles plastered on their faces.
"Congratulations, Sandro!" Nicole said, giving him a playful nudge. "We knew you had it in you."
Brianna added, "We're rooting for you. We can't wait to see you join us in the house shows and live televised matches."
Sandro felt a surge of confidence from all the support. "Thanks, everyone. It means a lot to me."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of training and preparation. Sandro pushed himself harder than ever, determined to be in top form for his evaluation.
That night, he went home, took a quick shower, and sat down with his laptop to review his strategies and techniques. He knew that tomorrow would be a crucial day in his wrestling career.
Before he slept, he received a text message from April who congratulated him on receiving his opportunity and apologized that she couldn't say it to him directly, because she had flown back to New Jersey in the morning to defend her tag team title for WSU, also wished him luck tomorrow.
Sandro puts a smile emoji and replies thanking her for her words of encouragement and that he understands, he wishes her the best of luck in defending her tag team championships and staying as champion.
The next morning, Sandro arrived at the FCW facility early. He went through his usual warm-up routine, focusing on calming his nerves and getting into the right mindset. As the time for his evaluation approached, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Dusty and Steve gathered everyone in the training area. "Alright, everyone," Dusty announced. "Today, we're evaluating Sandro. He's shown incredible progress, and we want to see if he's ready to take the next step."
Steve added, "Sandro will be facing off against a few of our veterans. We want to see how he handles different styles and scenarios."
Sandro stepped into the ring, his heart pounding with anticipation. The first opponent was Nick, who gave him a nod of encouragement before the match began. The bell rang, and Sandro focused on his training and instincts.
Nick came at him with a series of quick strikes, but Sandro anticipated the moves and countered with precision. They grappled and exchanged holds, showcasing their technical skills. Sandro's agility and strength were on full display as he managed to hold his own against Nick.
Next up was Kofi, who brought a high flying, acrobatic style to the match. Sandro adapted quickly, using his own speed and agility to keep up with Kofi's fast-paced maneuvers. He managed to counter several of Kofi's attacks and even landed a few impressive moves of his own.
Drew followed, bringing a more brute force approach. Sandro had to rely on his defensive skills and quick thinking to avoid Drew's powerful strikes. He used his agility to dodge and counter, showcasing his versatility in the ring.
Finally, Sheamus entered the ring. The intensity of the match increased as Sheamus used his size and strength to dominate. Sandro took a few hard hits but refused to back down. He used his training and determination to stay in the fight, managing to land some significant blows on Sheamus.
After the series of matches, Sandro was exhausted but exhilarated, feeling that he had shown everything he was capable of. Dusty and Steve stepped into the ring, looking impressed.
"Sandro, you did an excellent job," Dusty said. "You showed us that you can handle different styles and adapt to various situations."
Steve nodded. "You have the skills and the heart of a wrestler. We're proud of you."
Sandro felt a surge of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, Dusty. Thank you, Steve. This means the world to me."
Dusty smiled. "You have shown us that you got what it takes, Kid. Welcome to the next level, Sandro. You've earned it."
The rest of the wrestlers gathered around, offering their congratulations. Nicole and Brianna were particularly enthusiastic, each giving Sandro a tight hug that squeezed their sizeable asset into Sandro, who could only let out an awkward cough to distract himself.
"You did amazing!" Nicole said, her eyes shining with admiration.
Brianna added, "We knew you had it in you. Can't wait to see you in action on the big stage."
Sandro felt a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the future. As he left the ring, he couldn't help but think about how far he had come since joining FCW.
Nick, Kofi, Drew, and Sheamus all congratulated Sandro when he stepped out of the ring. Each of them expressed their enthusiasm for future matches against him.
"Can't wait to see you in action, mate," Drew said, clapping Sandro on the back.
"You're gonna be a great addition," Kofi added with a broad smile.
Sheamus, with his characteristic hearty laugh, proposed, "How about we celebrate at Sandro's apartment tonight?"
The idea received unanimous approval, including from Sandro. The thought of unwinding with his new friends after such an exhilarating day was perfect.
After parting ways with his friends temporarily, Sandro called his parents. "Mom, Dad, I passed the evaluation! I'll be making my debut soon," he announced excitedly.
Both Jack and Taylor were over the moon with pride. "That's incredible news, Sandro! We knew you could do it," his mother, Taylor, said, her voice filled with emotion.
"We'll be there to watch your debut, son," Jack added. "Just let us know the date, and we'll fly down to Tampa."
After ending the call with his parents, Sandro sent April a text message informing her of his success and hoping she would defend her tag team championship successfully. He received a quick reply from April, expressing her joy and encouragement for his achievement, along with a promise to celebrate together once she returned.
That evening, Sandro's apartment was filled with the buzz of laughter and camaraderie. Nick, Kofi, Drew, and Sheamus brought food and drinks, and the group settled in for a night of celebration. They reminisced about training, shared stories from the road, and offered Sandro valuable advice for his upcoming debut.
"Remember to stay true to yourself out there," Nick advised. "The fans can tell when you're genuine and when you're fake."
"And don't forget to have fun," Kofi added. "It's easy to get caught up in the pressure, but if you're not enjoying it, the audience won't either."
Sandro soaked up their words, feeling more confident and prepared for the challenges ahead. As the night progressed, the conversation shifted from wrestling to more personal topics, strengthening their bond even further.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: None
Wrestling Style: None
Faction: None
Championship History: 0