Becoming A Wrestler

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Sandro couldn't hold back his laughter. "Hey, you said you were ready for anything, didn't you? I just made sure to test that theory. And judging by your reaction out there, I think we nailed it. The crowd bought every second of it."

Joe chuckled, rubbing his jaw mockingly. "Yeah, well, next time maybe give me a heads-up if you're planning to take my head off. My face, especially my jaw, still stings, but damn, it was worth it for the look on those fans' faces."

April crossed her arms, smirking. "You two are ridiculous. But I have to admit, the execution was perfect. The audience was eating out of the palm of your hands."

Nicole chimed in, laughing softly. "Joe, that look of pure rage you had at the end? Flawless. No one's going to believe for a second that you were in on this."

Joe pointed a playful finger at her. "That's because I'm just that good. And don't you forget it."

At that moment, Taylor stepped through the curtain, his face lighting up as he saw the trio. He walked over, raising his hands in mock triumph. "Well, well, well. Look who just pinned the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion tonight!"

Sandro clapped him on the back, grinning. "And you looked good doing it, man. Nice touch with the 'confused but grateful' look at the end there. It sold the whole thing perfectly."

Joe smirked, giving Taylor a playful shove. "Yeah, don't get too comfortable with that victory, though. We all know whose handiwork made it happen."

Taylor laughed, nodding. "Oh, no argument there. You guys were incredible out there. The fans were going insane. It felt like we turned up the heat on this rivalry you two had to a whole new level."

The group shared a laugh, their camaraderie shining through as they reflected on their successful performance.

"So, Joe," Sandro said, leaning against a nearby table, "what'd you think about Dusty's little addition there? The whole 'if you lose, you're done with the title' bit? A pretty bold move from Dusty."

Joe shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Dusty knows how to play the game. He's building stakes, raising the tension. It's good business. Besides, it just makes it all the sweeter when I put you down this Saturday."

Sandro laughed, shaking his head. "We'll see about that. But don't forget, this Saturday isn't just about the title. It's about proving something. For both of us, so we better bring our A game."

The mood shifted slightly, the playful banter giving way to a quiet determination that underscored their competitive spirit.

April stepped forward, clapping her hands. "Alright, boys, enough of the lovefest. Let's focus. This Saturday is going to be huge, and we need to make sure everything's airtight."

Nicole nodded in agreement. "Yeah, tonight was a masterpiece, but the pay per view? That's the main event. That's where great matches are made and was a great place for the ending of such rivalry."

Joe and Sandro exchanged a glance, their smiles fading into expressions of mutual respect and understanding.

"You ready for this?" Joe asked, his tone serious now.

Sandro nodded, his eyes steely. "Born ready."

As Dusty and Steve entered the Gorilla position, flanked by the referee, security guards, and other FCW officials, their expressions shifted from the stern professionalism of moments ago to satisfied smiles.

They immediately spotted Sandro, Joe, and Taylor, who were still sharing a laugh with Nicole and April. Dusty, his larger-than-life presence filling the space, nodded in approval.

"Hell of a show out there, boys," Dusty began, his deep, authoritative voice cutting through the chatter. "You had that crowd eating outta your hands, and that's exactly what we needed."

Steve chimed in, slapping Joe on the back. "Seriously, the way you sold that rage, Joe? And Sandro, that bare knee spot? Pure magic. Taylor, your reaction after the pin? Perfectly played."

Joe grinned, giving Dusty and Steve a mock bow. "Thank you, thank you. It's not every day you see the champ take one for the team like that."

Dusty turned to the referee, concern flickering across his face. "You good, kid? Joe didn't squeeze you too hard with that Coquina Clutch, did he?"

The referee waved off the concern with a good-natured smile. "I'm fine, Mr. Rhodes. Joe had me locked in tight, but he knew what he was doing. Protected me perfectly, and the timing was spot on."

Joe leaned in, resting his arm on the referee's shoulder. "See? I told you I'd take care of you. You did great out there, too. Really sold the panic."

The referee laughed. "Thanks, Joe. And thanks for not actually choking me out."

Dusty clapped his hands, bringing everyone's focus back to him. "Alright, enough pats on the back. As much as I love hearing how well y'all did tonight, we've got bigger fish to fry. Sandro, Joe," he said, pointing at both men, "I need you two to head to the production studio tomorrow. We're shooting a promo for your match at the pay-per-view. And I'm not talkin' some run-of-the-mill vignette. This is gonna be big, television spots, billboards, YouTube, and online advertisement, the whole shebang. We're pulling out all the stops to hype this rivalry up."

Sandro raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's the concept?"

Dusty smirked. "You two, face-to-face, no gimmicks, no distractions. Just you and Joe talking straight to the fans. We want them to feel the fire, the tension, the stakes. Let 'em know why this match matters."

Joe nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I like it. Keep it raw, keep it real. That's what people connect with."

Dusty pointed at him. "Exactly. And don't hold back. We need the world to understand that this match isn't just about the title, it's about pride, respect, and proving who the best damn wrestler in FCW is."

Taylor chuckled, raising his hand like a student in class. "Uh, do I get to be in the promo? You know, since I technically pinned the champ tonight?"

The room burst into laughter, and Dusty shook his head, grinning. "Nice try, kid. Your job's done for now. But don't worry, you'll get your spotlight soon enough."

Sandro patted Taylor on the shoulder. "Hey, don't feel bad. You'll be front and center when we celebrate my title win this Saturday."

Joe scoffed, crossing his arms. "Keep dreaming, kid. That title's staying right where it is."

Dusty raised his hands, cutting off their playful banter. "Save it for the promo, fellas. For now, get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day, and I expect both of you to bring your A-game."

Steve nodded in agreement. "And make sure you're ready for the pay-per-view, too. Tonight was great, but Saturday? That's where the magic happens. No room for error."

As Dusty and Steve began to usher the security guards and officials out, the energy in the room shifted. The weight of the upcoming event was palpable, and everyone felt the magnitude of what they were building toward.

The next morning, the air was thick with anticipation as Sandro and Joe arrived at the FCW production studio. The building hummed with activity; cameras were being prepped, lights adjusted, and the production team hustled to ensure every detail was perfect.

This wasn't just another promo, it was a critical moment to capture the intensity of their rivalry and sell the stakes of Saturday's pay-per-view.

Sandro arrived first, his gym bag slung over his shoulder and a coffee in hand. He was greeted by a couple of the production staff who nodded at him with a mix of respect and excitement. He could feel the weight of the day already, but he thrived on pressure. This was his chance to show the world he belonged in the main event spotlight.

Not long after, Joe strolled in, his demeanor cool and confident as ever. He exchanged quick greetings with the staff before locking eyes with Sandro. There was no animosity in the glance, but the competitive fire was unmistakable.

Inside the studio, Dusty Rhodes and Steve were already deep in conversation with the head of FCW's production staff. When they saw Sandro and Joe enter, Dusty grinned and motioned them over.

"Look who decided to show up," Dusty said, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "Our two stars, ready to put the cherry on top of this masterpiece of a feud."

Steve gestured toward the setup, a stark, dramatic background with FCW branding. The lighting was designed to create shadows that would emphasize the tension between the two competitors. "This is where the magic happens, boys. We're keeping it raw and gritty. No flash, no gimmicks. Just you two telling the world why Saturday's match matters."

The head of production, a meticulous man named Marty, stepped forward with a clipboard. "Alright, gentlemen, here's the plan. We're going to shoot this like a face-to-face interview. Dusty will ask the questions, and you'll respond directly to the camera. Keep it real, keep it intense. This isn't about playing characters, it's about selling the truth of your rivalry."

Sandro nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Got it. Let's do this."

Joe smirked. "Born ready."

The two were led to their marks, where they stood facing each other across a small table. The cameras zoomed in, capturing the steely determination in their eyes. Dusty took his position off-camera, ready to guide the conversation.

"Alright," Dusty began, his voice steady and commanding. "Let's set the scene. Sandro, Joe, you've been going at it for weeks. Saturday, it all comes to a head in a no holds barred match. The Florida Heavyweight Championship is on the line, but this is about more than a title. The fans need to understand why this fight matters to you. Sandro, you start."

Sandro leaned forward, his expression intense. "Why does it matter? Because this isn't just about gold. It's about respect. Since my debut almost a year ago, I've been grinding, fighting for every opportunity, clawing my way up the ladder while guys like Joe sit comfortably at the top. He's been the face of FCW for some time, and Saturday is my chance to show everyone that there's a new era coming. And I'm the one leading it."

Joe chuckled, shaking his head. "You talk a big game, Sandro, but let's be real. This isn't about respect, it's about envy. You look at me, and you see everything you want to be. The spotlight, the championship, the legacy. But here's the thing: I earned all of this. I didn't just fight for it, I bled for it. And come Saturday, I'll show you why I'm the champ and you're just another guy trying to take my place and will be thrown at the trash can after losing."

The tension between them was palpable, and the production team silently marveled at how authentic the exchange felt. Dusty pressed on.

"Joe, this is your first no holds barred title defense. What's going through your mind knowing there are no rules, no limits?"

Joe's eyes narrowed. "What's going through my mind? Opportunity. Without rules, there's nothing holding me back. I can do whatever it takes to keep my title, and trust me, I will. Sandro wants to play the hero, but in a match like this, there are no heroes. There's only survival. And I've been surviving in this business a hell of a lot longer than he has."

Dusty turned to Sandro. "Your response?"

Sandro's jaw tightened, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Joe talks about survival, but this match isn't about surviving, it's about proving who's better. I don't need to break the rules to win. I'm going to beat you clean, in the middle of that ring, and there won't be any excuses when I take that title off your shoulder."

Joe stepped closer, the intensity ramping up. "You think you can beat me clean? You couldn't even pin me last night without some theatrics. Face it, kid, you're not ready for this. You don't have what it takes to go to war with me."

Sandro didn't back down, his voice rising. "You keep calling me 'kid,' but after Saturday, you're going to call me 'champ.'"

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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