Becoming A Wrestler

Chapter 197: 184. Back In Orlando, Gifts & Talking



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"These should cover a variety of occasions," he thought to himself, pleased with the balance of practical and luxurious items. From there, he visited a jewelry store. The sparkling displays caught his attention immediately. He spent time examining delicate necklaces and earrings, eventually settling on a couple of sets that exuded understated elegance.

By the time he finished shopping, Sandro had accumulated an impressive haul. The backseat of the car was filled with bags and boxes, each carefully packed and labeled.

As the chauffeur navigated the city streets, Sandro leaned back in his seat, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He had taken care of an important part of his personal life, ensuring that Nicole and April would feel appreciated and special.

Later that evening, back at the hotel, Sandro carefully sorted through the gifts, organizing them into separate piles for Nicole and April. He made sure to include a personal note with each pile, expressing his gratitude and love for them.

"Perfect," he muttered to himself, surveying the neatly arranged items.

Before heading to bed, he called Hugo one last time to check in.

"Everything set on your end?" Sandro asked.

"Absolutely," Hugo replied. "I've already started making arrangements for the next round. You focus on your matches and other priorities. I've got this covered."

"Appreciate it," Sandro said. "Let me know if anything comes up."

"Will do. And Sandro? Great job yesterday. You're handling this like a seasoned pro."

"Thanks, Hugo. That means a lot."

After ending the call with Hugo, Sandro turned his attention to packing his belongings. He neatly folded his clothes, organized his documents, and double-checked that the gifts he had bought for Nicole and April were safely packed. The hotel staff arrived promptly to assist, efficiently moving his suitcase and the numerous shopping bags to the chauffeured car waiting outside.

As he sat in the car heading to JFK Airport, Sandro reflected on the whirlwind trip. From the high stakes investment round to the shopping spree that followed, it had been a transformative experience.

At the airport, Sandro arranged for an extra baggage allowance to accommodate the gifts. The airline staff were helpful, though they gave him curious looks as he checked in the numerous boxes and bags.

After completing the formalities, he found a quiet spot near his gate and took a moment to relax. His mind wandered to Nicole and April, imagining their reactions to the surprises he had in store for them. A small smile crept onto his face as he thought about how much he valued their unwavering support.

Around 7 PM, Sandro boarded his flight to Tampa. Settling into his seat, he glanced out of the window, the lights of New York fading as the plane ascended. The flight itself was uneventful, giving him time to catch up on some much needed rest. He reclined his seat, his thoughts alternating between his plans for the future and the satisfaction of having taken a significant step toward financial independence.

Several hours later, the plane landed at Tampa International Airport. It was close to midnight, and the air was warm, a welcome contrast to the brisk chill of New York. After disembarking, Sandro quickly arranged for several airport porters to help him with his luggage. The porters worked efficiently, loading the suitcases and gift bags into a taxi Sandro had arranged earlier.

As the taxi sped through the quiet streets of Tampa, Sandro felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was good to be home. He arrived at his apartment and tipped the taxi driver generously before carrying his belongings inside. By the time everything was unpacked and organized, it was well past 1 AM. Exhausted but content, Sandro fell into bed, the anticipation of the next day making it difficult to sleep.

The next morning, Sandro woke up feeling refreshed and eager. He made himself a light breakfast, his mind already on the plan for the day. After tidying up his apartment and making sure everything was perfectly arranged, he picked up his phone and called April first.

"Hey, April," he said, his tone cheerful. "Are you free today?"

"Yeah, why?" April's voice was curious, but there was a hint of excitement.

"I've got something for you. Come by my place when you can."

"For me? What is it?" she asked, her curiosity now fully piqued.

"You'll see," Sandro replied, keeping it cryptic. "Just bring Nicole with you."

"You're not giving me any hints?" she teased.

"None. Just get here."

Laughing, April agreed and hung up. A few minutes later, Sandro called Nicole, giving her the same invitation. Nicole's reaction mirrored April's curiosity mixed with excitement.

By late morning, both women arrived at Sandro's apartment together. April, dressed in a casual sundress, was practically bouncing with energy, while Nicole, in a chic yet comfortable outfit, wore a wide smile.

"You've got us curious, Sandro," Nicole said as they stepped inside. "What's this all about?"

"Patience," Sandro replied with a grin. "Take a seat. I'll be right back."

He disappeared into the bedroom, returning moments later with two large gift bags, each labeled with their names. April's eyes widened as she saw the beautifully wrapped packages, and Nicole raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.

"These are for you," Sandro said, handing each of them their respective bag. "A little something to say thank you for always being there for me."

"Sandro, you didn't have to do this," Nicole said, though her smile betrayed her excitement.

"But I wanted to," Sandro insisted. "Go on, open them."

April was the first to dive in, carefully unwrapping the tissue paper to reveal the designer dress Sandro had picked out for her. Her jaw dropped as she held it up, the fabric shimmering in the light. "This is gorgeous!" she exclaimed. "Sandro, you've got an amazing eye for fashion."

Nicole opened her bag next, revealing an equally stunning dress alongside a pair of matching heels. She ran her fingers over the material, clearly impressed. "This is… wow. You really went all out."

"There's more," Sandro said, gesturing for them to keep looking.

April found the casual outfits and lingerie Sandro had picked out for her, blushing slightly at the intimate pieces but laughing in appreciation. "You really thought of everything, didn't you?"

Nicole discovered her jewelry next, a delicate necklace and matching earrings. She held them up, the light catching on the stones. "Sandro, this is beautiful. You've outdone yourself."

"I just wanted to make sure you both know how much I appreciate you," Sandro said, his tone sincere. "You've been my support system through everything, and I don't take that for granted."

April set her gifts down and gave Sandro a tight hug. "You're amazing, you know that? Thank you so much."

Nicole followed suit, her hug warm and heartfelt. "This means a lot, Sandro. We're so proud of you."

They spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and catching up. April and Nicole tried on some of the outfits, modeling them in the living room while Sandro played the role of an enthusiastic audience. Laughter filled the apartment, the atmosphere light and joyful.

As the day wound down, the three of them sat around the dining table, sharing a meal Sandro had ordered from one of their favorite local restaurants. The conversation shifted between lighthearted banter and deeper topics, including Sandro's recent trip to New York.

The next few days flew by for Sandro in a whirlwind of training and preparation. His match against Joe was just around the corner, and he was determined to be at his best.

Every day started early with grueling workouts, weightlifting, cardio, and in ring drills to refine his skills. Outside of the gym, he studied tapes of Joe's previous matches, identifying patterns in his opponent's strategy and thinking of ways to counter them. He also kept up with his diet, fueling his body with the right nutrients to stay sharp and ready.

Monday finally arrived, and Sandro was feeling confident. Adorned in his sleek ring gear and his title on his shoulder, he walked through the backstage area of the arena. The energy in the air was electric, with wrestlers, crew members, and production staff bustling about to ensure the night went off without a hitch.

As Sandro wandered the corridors, his focus momentarily shifted when he noticed Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn deep in conversation near one of the production trucks.

Both men had serious expressions, their tones quiet but firm as they discussed something clearly important. Sandro didn't intend to eavesdrop, but as he approached, a few words caught his attention, specifically, "singles title."

Intrigued, Sandro paused for a moment before stepping closer. Dusty and Steve noticed him almost immediately and broke into smiles.

"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour," Dusty greeted warmly. "Ready for your big match tonight, kid?"

Sandro grinned, his confidence shining through. "You know it. Can't let Joe walk all over me, right?"

"Damn right," Steve said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've got the tools, Sandro. Just make sure you use them."

As the lighthearted exchange faded, Dusty leaned in slightly, his expression turning serious again. "Actually, you came at the right time, Sandro. We were just discussing something important, and we'd like your opinion."

"Sure," Sandro said, intrigued. "What's on your mind?"

Dusty gestured for him to step closer, and Steve nodded in agreement. "We've been talking about introducing a singles title here in FCW," Dusty began. "Something akin to the WWE United States or Intercontinental Championship. The idea is to give the guys who haven't had a shot at the world title something to aim for, something to prove themselves with."

Sandro's brow furrowed thoughtfully as Dusty continued. "It's about creating opportunities, you know? A stepping stone for guys who are championship material but haven't had their moment in the spotlight yet."

Steve chimed in, his tone more cautious. "Dusty's got a point, but I'm not entirely sold on the idea. Adding a title means adding more responsibilities, more matches, and more time spent on storylines. I'm just not sure if we've got the bandwidth to handle it all right now."

Dusty shot Steve a knowing look. "Ain't nothin' worth doing ever easy, Steve."

Turning to Sandro, Dusty said, "What do you think? You're one of the people here who understand the business much like the two of us. Would a title like this help people like you, or are we barking up the wrong tree?"

Sandro took a moment to consider his words, appreciating the weight of the question. "Honestly," he began, "I think it's a great idea. A singles title would give guys who haven't had a chance at the world title something to strive for. It's not just about the belt, it's about what it represents. It's a chance for people to prove they're championship material, to show they belong in the spotlight."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Right now, it feels like if you're not in the world title picture or the tag team division, you're kind of stuck in limbo. A mid card singles title could change that. It could motivate people, give them a goal to work toward, and make the roster more competitive overall."

Dusty's face lit up with approval. "See? That's exactly what I've been saying. It's about giving people a shot, making things more dynamic."

Steve nodded slowly, still cautious but visibly considering Sandro's perspective. "You make a good point, kid. And I can't argue with the idea of giving the roster more to fight for."

Dusty clapped Sandro on the back, his grin widening. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Sandro. Keep thinking like that, and you'll go far, not just in the ring, but behind the scenes too."

"Thanks, Dusty," Sandro said, smiling. "I'm just glad I could help."

The conversation shifted after that, with Dusty and Steve debating potential names for the title and how it could fit into the existing structure of FCW. Sandro listened intently, offering his thoughts when asked but mostly soaking in the experience of being included in such an important discussion.

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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


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