Chapter 195: 182. Going To New York
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With that, Joe dropped the microphone and walked backstage, his music playing once again. The crowd's boos followed him all the way out of sight. In the ring, Sandro stood motionless, staring after Joe with a mix of anger and determination. Kofi and Taylor joined him, and Kofi placed a reassuring hand on Sandro's shoulder. "You've got this," Kofi said firmly as the fans could hear the exchange from Sandro's microphone. "Joe's trying to get in your head. Don't let him."
Sandro nodded, his mind already racing with thoughts of the rematch. He glanced down at the title in his hands, then out at the crowd, who were chanting his name in support. Despite the chaos, one thing was clear he wasn't going to back down.
The commentators summed it up as the show went off the air. "Next week, it will be a rematch between Sandro versus Samoa Joe for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship," one said. "And with tensions this high, you can bet it's going to be an all out war."
"No doubt about it," the other commentator agreed. "Sandro faced tough challenges from Joe before he took the title from him, and now Joe is focused on taking his title and inflicting some revenge on Sandro. The champ better be ready, because next week, his short reign will be put to the ultimate test in the face of a bloodthirsty Joe."
After the explosive main event and Samoa Joe's shocking appearance, the atmosphere in the arena remained electric. Sandro, Kofi, and Taylor exited the ring together, their exhaustion evident but overshadowed by the bond they shared.
The three men walked toward the ramp, with Sandro clutching his championship tightly. The crowd erupted in chants of "Sandro!" and "Kofi!" as they made their way up the ramp. Sandro paused at the top, turning to face the crowd. He raised his title high above his head, earning a deafening cheer.
Kofi, standing beside him, clapped and pointed to Sandro, acknowledging the champion's hard-fought victory. Taylor, still shaken but safe, managed a small smile and waved to the fans.
The three disappeared through the entrance area, leaving behind an arena buzzing with anticipation for next week's rematch between Sandro and Samoa Joe.
As the show went off the air, social media exploded with reactions. On Twitter and the FCW Official Forum, fans couldn't stop talking about the night's events.
One fan tweeted, "Sandro vs. Kofi was an absolute classic! The athleticism, the storytelling, the drama, THIS is why I love wrestling. Can't wait for next week's FCW Monday program Main Event!"
Another fan wrote, "Kofi Kingston deserves his flowers. What a performance tonight. He was telling everyone why he was one of the best in FCW currently, and can go toe to toe with Sandro like that. Put some respect on Kofi!"
Discussion on the forum was equally intense. Threads were filled with praise for the main event, with one user writing, "Sandro and Kofi just gave us a Match of the Year contender for FCW. Sandro's first title defense was epic, and Kofi proved why he belongs in the main event scene. Can't wait to see what's next for both!"
But it wasn't just the match that had fans talking. Samoa Joe's chilling appearance and his despicable use of Taylor to demand a rematch dominated discussions. Some fans admired Joe's mastery of mind games, while others were outraged at his tactics.
One fan posted this about it, "Joe knows how to get under Sandro's skin, and tonight he played his cards perfectly. This rematch is going to be insane next week! I hope Joe wins and retake his title!"
Below that post, another fan countered, "Dragging Taylor into this was disgusting. Joe crossed a line tonight, and I hope Sandro shuts him up for good next week."
The post talking about Sandro Vs Joe, Rematch, Taylor deserves better, and the FCW title match trended well into the night, showcasing just how much the night's events had resonated with fans.
Meanwhile, the echoes of the crowd's cheers and the night's drama still lingered in Sandro's mind as he walked backstage toward the locker room. His title slung over his shoulder, his steps were heavy from exhaustion, but his spirit was unbroken.
Entering the locker room, he allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. It had been a night filled with triumph, tension, and excitement for his match next week with Joe.
Sandro changed out of his wrestling gear, carefully placing his championship title into his gym bag. The weight of the gold felt different now, not just a symbol of victory but a reminder of the responsibility he carried as champion.
With his belongings packed, he left the arena, walking through the quiet hallways and out to the parking lot. The stillness of the night was a stark contrast to the chaos and energy of the crowd he had just left behind. He climbed into his car, took a deep breath, and started the drive back to his apartment.
Arriving home, Sandro locked the door behind him and dropped his bag near the couch. The fatigue of the night hit him all at once, and he didn't bother with much else.
He fell onto the bed, his mind replaying the events of the night, the battle with Kofi, the moment Joe appeared, Taylor's great acting in putting on a terrified face, and the looming rematch. It wasn't long before exhaustion took over, and he drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently waking Sandro. He stretched his arms and legs, while thinking about the previous night's match feeling the quiet satisfaction of having defended his title.
He headed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face before stepping into the shower. The warm water eased his skin and muscles, and as he stood under the stream, his mind began to focus on the day ahead.
After brushing his teeth, Sandro made his way to the kitchen. Feeling to eat some Chinese food, he decided to prepare breakfast in a more complicated way than the usual simple American breakfast.
He prepared a comforting meal, congee topped with pickled vegetables and a side of steamed buns. With his meal ready, he turned on the television, flipping through the channels until he landed on a morning news program. The anchor's voice was a background hum as Sandro took his first bite.
As Sandro was halfway through his breakfast, his iPhone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at the screen and saw the name of his financial advisor, a man named Hugo. Setting down his spoon, he wiped his hands on a napkin and picked up the call.
"Hey, good morning, Hugo," Sandro greeted, his tone casual.
"Morning, Sandro," Hugo replied. "I've got some news that you're going to want to hear."
Curiosity piqued, Sandro leaned back in his chair. "Alright, hit me."
"Well," the advisor began, "after asking around through some of my connections, I've learned that Spotify is planning to raise between 20 to 30 million dollars in investment capital. In exchange, they're offering 10% of the company's shares."
Sandro's eyes widened slightly. "Really? That's a piece of great news and a big deal as well. So, what's the catch?"
"The catch," the advisor said with a chuckle, "is that there's going to be a lot of competition. Several individuals and companies are already showing interest. Daniel Ek, Spotify's CEO, will be in New York on Wall Street to raise the investment there."
Sandro let out a low whistle. "So, you're saying I need to move fast if I want to secure as much as possible right?"
"Exactly," the advisor confirmed. "If you're serious about this, I'd recommend preparing your funds and heading to New York as soon as possible. Opportunities like this don't come around often."
Sandro rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Investing in Spotify could be a game changer, not just for his financial portfolio but for his long term plans outside of wrestling.
"Alright," Sandro said decisively. "I'll make the arrangements. Thanks for the heads up."
"No problem. Let me know if you need any help with the logistics," Hugo offered.
Sandro thanked him, telling him to book a flight to New York to accompany him, and ended the call, setting his phone down on the table. His breakfast now forgotten, he turned his focus to planning the trip.
The rest of the morning was a blur of activity. Sandro booked a flight and hotel in New York. He also contacted his bank to ensure that the necessary funds would be ready for transfer if the opportunity arose.
Once the arrangements were set, he packed a suitcase, making sure to include a sharp suit for the business meetings ahead. By early afternoon, everything was in place, and Sandro was ready to go to New York, his flight was in the evening.
As Sandro zipped up his suitcase, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything, the doorbell rang. Before he could make his way to the door, it opened abruptly, and in walked Nicole and April, his two girlfriends, who each had a key to his apartment.
"Hey, babe!" Nicole called out with a cheerful smile as she stepped inside, followed by April, who looked equally excited to see him.
Sandro smiled widely, walking over to greet them both. He wrapped them each in a warm hug and kissed them on their foreheads. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise! What brings you two here?" he asked, genuinely delighted by their visit.
"We came to spend some time with you and celebrate your big win last night!" Nicole said, her voice full of enthusiasm.
April nodded in agreement. "We thought you might want some company after everything. Plus, you deserve a little pampering after defending your title."
Sandro's smile softened, grateful for their thoughtfulness. Just as he was about to respond, both women's eyes landed on the suitcase near the couch. Their expressions shifted slightly.
"Wait a second," April said, narrowing her eyes at the luggage. "Are you planning to go somewhere?"
Nicole crossed her arms, looking at him expectantly. "Yeah, what's with the suitcase?"
Sandro chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright. Remember the Spotify investment I mentioned over breakfast some time ago?"
Both women nodded, intrigued.
"Well," he continued, "it's happening sooner than I expected. Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, is holding investment rounds in New York to raise capital, and my financial advisor, Hugo, gave me a heads up this morning. I have to head to New York tonight to meet with him and attend the meeting some time tomorrow."
April raised her eyebrows in surprise. "New York? Tonight? Wow, that's sudden."
Nicole frowned slightly. "We thought we'd have more time with you today. That's disappointing, but… it's also exciting. This sounds like a big deal."
"It is," Sandro admitted. "This could be a game changer for my finances and long-term plans outside wrestling. I hate to leave on such short notice, but I can't pass this up."
The disappointment on their faces was clear, but it didn't last long. April sighed and gave him a small smile. "Well, if it's for something this important, we can't really be mad. Just promise to be careful, okay?"
"And don't forget to bring us back some gifts!" Nicole added with a playful grin, her tone lightening the mood.
Sandro laughed, relieved that they understood. "Alright, deal. I'll make sure to bring you both something nice. Maybe a little New York charm?"
Nicole and April exchanged a glance, their smiles widening. "You'd better!" April teased, nudging him lightly.
The three of them spent the next couple of hours together, making the most of their time before Sandro's flight.
They chatted about last night's match, joking about some of the crowd's chants and reliving the intense moments with Kofi and Joe. Nicole even tried to imitate Joe's menacing promo, earning a burst of laughter from Sandro and April.
As the afternoon wore on, Sandro glanced at the clock and sighed. "Well, I hate to cut this short, but I need to head to the airport soon."
April and Nicole both nodded, their smiles bittersweet. "We'll miss you," Nicole said, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.
"Yeah," April added, hugging him from the other side. "But we know you'll do great. Go secure that investment and come back to us with some good news and those gifts, of course."
Sandro grinned, pulling them both close. "I will. Thanks for understanding, you two. I'll text you as soon as I land."
They helped him carry his suitcase to the door, and after one final round of hugs and goodbyes, Sandro was on his way. By the time Sandro arrived at the airport, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the horizon. He checked in for his flight and made his way through security with ease, his mind already focused on the task ahead.
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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