Chapter 191: 179. Unexpected Invesment Opportunity From News
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The room fell silent again, the weight of Sandro's words hanging in the air. It wasn't just about being a fighting champion, it was about being a fair and just one. Kofi, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "That's big, man. Real big. You're not just elevating the title, you're elevating the whole locker room."
Sandro nodded. "That's the goal. Because if we all step up, if we all bring our best, then FCW becomes the place to be. And that benefits everyone."
Nick let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "You've got it all figured out, don't you?"
"Not even close," Sandro admitted with a grin. "But I'm figuring it out as I go."
The room burst into laughter again, the tension easing as the group began to joke and banter. But beneath the lightheartedness was a deep sense of respect and admiration. Sandro's vision for his title reign wasn't just inspiring, it was infectious.
After their heartfelt conversation in the locker room, the group gradually dispersed, each person heading back to their respective routines. For Sandro, the night wasn't over just yet. His girlfriends, Nicole and April, had planned ahead to ensure he got home safely and rested properly.
Nicole drove Sandro's car while April sat in the passenger seat, periodically glancing back at him with a concerned expression. Sandro, reclining in the backseat, couldn't help but smile at their overprotectiveness.
"You know, this is a little over the top," he teased, his voice warm with affection.
April turned around, her brow furrowed. "Over the top? Sandro, you just went through one of the most brutal matches of your career and you are still in your rookie year. Do you even realize how close you were to getting seriously injured?"
Nicole chimed in, her tone firm but caring. "She's right. You're lucky you walked away with just bruises and scrapes. We're not taking any chances. For at least a week, you're going to rest, eat properly, and let us handle everything else. No arguments."
Sandro held up his hands in mock surrender, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Alright, alright. You win. I'll be good."
Deep down, he appreciated their care. It wasn't often that he let people take the reins, but with Nicole and April, he didn't mind. Their concern was genuine, and their support made his journey as a rising star in FCW feel a little less overwhelming.
The next few days passed in a blur of rest, light workouts, and moments of quiet introspection. By Friday morning, Sandro found himself at his desk, his computer turned on as he scrolled through news articles and monitored the stock market.
His passion for investing had grown over the years, and he took pride in having his own personal portfolio, which had expanded significantly thanks to some his investments he did personally and the advice he'd given his father during the financial crisis, of course this is only for him and his father to know about.
As he clicked through financial reports and market updates, a headline caught his eye: "Spotify Expands to U.S. Market, Seeks Investors to Fuel Growth." Sandro leaned forward, his interest piqued.
He knew about Spotify from his knowledge of its eventual rise to dominance in the music streaming industry. However, in this alternate reality, the timeline was slightly off, it was entering the U.S. market earlier than expected, and it was actively seeking investors.
He skimmed through the article, which detailed Spotify CEO Daniel Ek's vision for the company. The platform had gained traction in Europe and now aimed to secure international music licenses and establish connections with American music agencies.
The entry into the competitive U.S. market was a bold move, and Sandro could see the potential risks. But he could also see the opportunities, and with his past life knowledge, he knew that this was a bug opportunity and the return was high.
Sandro leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. He had previously suggested to his father that they invest in Spotify, but at the time, the company wasn't looking for outside funding. Now, the situation had changed, and Sandro had an opportunity to make a move with his own personal funds.
Later that evening, Nicole and April joined him in the living room. Nicole noticed the thoughtful expression on Sandro's face as he stared at his laptop screen.
"Everything okay?" she asked, sitting beside him.
"Yeah, just thinking about something," Sandro replied, tapping a few keys. "Have you ever heard of Spotify?"
April, who had just walked in with a cup of tea, raised an eyebrow. "The music streaming thing? Isn't that more of a European thing right now? I heard they were the big music streaming platform there "
Sandro nodded. "It is, but they're planning to enter the U.S. market. They're looking for investors to help them scale up their chances of success."
Nicole tilted her head. "And you're thinking about investing?"
"I am," Sandro admitted. "I've been following them for a while. They've got a solid business model, and the market is heading toward digital streaming. It's a risky move, but if it pays off, it could be huge one."
April sat down on the other side of him, her curiosity piqued. "How much are you thinking of putting in?"
Sandro hesitated for a moment before responding. "I haven't decided yet. I want to do some more research first. But I've got enough saved up from my investments, stock trading, and the returns from the ideas I gave my dad alongside dividends from Nexum Core as I receive some shares from dad. This could be the right time to make a big play."
Nicole glanced at the screen, then back at Sandro. "You're good at this, Sandro. If you believe in it, then go for it. Just make sure you don't overextend yourself."
April nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we've got your back no matter what. But like Nicole said, be careful. Investing in a company at this stage is always a gamble."
Sandro smiled, grateful for their support. "I will. Thanks, you two."
After that, Sandro delved deeper into his research. He read interviews with Daniel Ek, analyzed Spotify's financial projections, and even reached out to a few contacts in the tech and music industries who he git from Nexum Core business party before to get their insights. The more he learned, the more confident he felt about the potential of the investment.
By Sunday evening, Sandro had made up his mind. He called a meeting with his personal financial advisor to discuss the logistics of making the investment. The advisor, initially cautious, was impressed by Sandro's thorough analysis and agreed to help facilitate the process and found out how big of a funding Spotify was looking for.
By the time the following Monday rolled around, Sandro was back in the FCW arena, ready for another night of action. His match against Kofi Kingston was the main event, and the buzz surrounding it had reached a fever pitch.
Backstage, the locker room was abuzz with excitement, and Sandro could feel the energy in the air. FCW medical team's was checking on him, to see if there was any hidden injuries they didn't know and also ensure his bruises and scratches was fully healed.
After that was done, Sandro sat on a cushioned bench in the locker room, one leg stretched out while the other bounced lightly with nervous energy. The screen mounted in the corner displayed the live match currently underway, Nick Nemeth versus TJ Wilson.
The classic heel versus face dynamic was already captivating the crowd. The live audience roared as TJ, the consummate good guy, sprinted around the ring, feeding off the energy from the cheering fans.
Sandro leaned forward, intrigued, sipping water from his bottle. "Nick got some real heat going. He knows how to rile them up," he muttered to himself, a smirk tugging at his lips.
In the ring, Nick sauntered to the center, his cocky demeanor on full display. His bleach blond hair shimmered under the arena lights, and his exaggerated grin seemed to mock everyone in attendance.
He leaned against the ropes lazily, making a show of pretending to check his nails as TJ Wilson circled him, eyeing his opponent like a predator waiting to strike.
The referee signaled for the bell, and the match was officially underway. TJ wasted no time, charging forward with a burst of speed. Nemeth dodged effortlessly, slipping out of the ring and throwing his hands up in mock fear, drawing loud boos from the crowd.
"Come on, TJ! Get Him!" one fan yelled. Hearing this, TJ motioned for Nemeth to come back into the ring, clapping his hands to rally the crowd behind him.
"Take your time, kid," Nemeth sneered, pacing outside the ring. "Don't rush greatness or you will taste what it taste like."
When Nemeth finally climbed back in, TJ was ready. The two locked up in a collar and elbow tie up, but Nemeth, the wily heel, immediately transitioned into a headlock, grinding TJ's head and shouting, "This is what a real wrestler looks like!"
TJ, not one to be outdone, pushed Nemeth off, sending him into the ropes. As Nemeth rebounded, TJ executed a flawless leapfrog followed by a dropkick that sent Nemeth sprawling to the mat. The crowd erupted in cheers, and TJ capitalized with a quick cover.
One…
Nemeth kicked out, his face twisting in frustration. He rolled to the corner, where he gestured at the referee. "He pulled my tights!" he accused, drawing more boos from the crowds who can't stand his lies.
The match continued, with TJ showcasing his agility and technical prowess. A series of arm drags, hurricanranas, and a perfectly executed enzuigiri had Nemeth reeling.
At one point, TJ locked in a sharpshooter like submission hold, targeting Nemeth's lower back. The crowd was on their feet, screaming for Nemeth to tap and have TJ win the match.
But the crafty heel managed to grab the bottom rope, forcing the break. As the referee's attention was momentarily diverted, Nemeth seized the opportunity to rake TJ's eyes. TJ stumbled backward, blinded, and Nemeth followed up with a vicious neckbreaker.
Now firmly in control, Nemeth began to dissect TJ methodically. He targeted TJ's neck and shoulders, hitting multiple moves like a snap DDT and a jumping elbow drop. Between moves, Nemeth taunted both his opponent and the crowd, yelling, "This is too easy!" and "Your hero's nothing compared to me!"
The crowd's boos grew louder, but Nemeth fed off their disdain. He locked TJ in a sleeper hold, wrapping his arms around his opponent's neck like a python. TJ's face turned red as he struggled to free himself.
"Come on, TJ!" the crowd chanted as they clap alongside their chants to rally TJ up.
Drawing strength from the audience, TJ managed to fight to his feet. He delivered a series of elbows to Nemeth's midsection, breaking the hold. He hit the ropes for momentum, but Nemeth caught him with a picture perfect superkick that stopped TJ's comeback in its tracks.
As the match wore on, both men began showing signs of fatigue. TJ rallied again, countering Nemeth's offense with a series of suplexes and a diving crossbody from the top rope. The near falls kept coming, and the crowd grew louder with each one.
At one point, TJ hit a springboard clothesline that seemed to spell the end for Nemeth. He hooked the leg tightly for the pin.
One… two…
Nemeth kicked out at the last possible moment, and the crowd groaned in disappointment. TJ, undeterred, signaled for his finisher. He set Nemeth up for a Rolling Stampede, but Nemeth countered at the last second, shoving TJ into the turnbuckle. With TJ dazed, Nemeth climbed the second rope and delivered a thunderous superplex. Both men lay motionless on the mat as the referee began his count.
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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 & 1 FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion