Chapter 106: 100. Kickstart Of The Faction Storyline
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Their conversation quickly turned to the possibilities ahead, with both of them bouncing ideas off each other. They discussed creating a Nexum Core app that would bring together Marvel storylines, UFC events, and FCW matches, offering many fans from all kinds of entertainment sectors a hub for everything they loved in one place. Sandro felt invigorated by the brainstorming session, realizing how much potential lay ahead.
Time seemed to slip by faster than usual, and before Sandro knew it, the year was ending. He, April, and Nicole planned to ring in the New Year with an intimate celebration at his apartment, his haven to have a small escape from the lively world of wrestling and business.
On December 31, they decided to spend the day at the mall, indulging in some much-needed retail therapy where Sandro treats his girlfriends, buying them lavish gifts that April and Nicole at first refused as it was too expensive.
However, Sandro insisted on treating April and Nicole, who, despite their initial reluctance to accept such lavish gifts, couldn't resist his persistent charm. He smiled, telling them that his job as their boyfriend was to make them happy.
As they made their way through the high-end boutiques and headed toward the electronics stores, Sandro entered a phone store and surprised them with something extra special: a pair of the newly released iPhones.
Their surprise turned to excitement as Sandro bought them such a modern and amazing phone, that they knew definitely cost Sandro a fortune as such a phone must have an expensive price.
As April and Nicole were fiddling with their iPhones, Sandro showed him and mentioned that, he planned to keep his old phone a bit longer, so that he could input the contacts he had at his old phone to his iPhone, and suggested that the two of them also do the same.
After some laughs, photos, and a full day of shopping, they ended the evening with a decadent meal at an upscale steakhouse, enjoying every bite of their perfectly cooked steaks and some champagne.
Later, back at Sandro's apartment, they settled in with a few beers and relaxed, savoring the quiet moments together. The glow of city lights cast a warm ambiance in the living room as the television played a New Year's Eve special, counting down the final minutes of 2008.
The three shared memories of the year—the highs, the challenges, and all the unexpected twists. Sandro realized how much had changed in his life. From wrestling milestones to business ventures, he felt ready to embrace even more in the coming year.
As midnight drew near, they gathered by the large window overlooking the city. The countdown blared from the television, and when the clock struck twelve, fireworks lit up the sky, casting brilliant colors across the skyline.
The sight was breathtaking, and in that moment, they all felt a sense of wonder and anticipation. Sandro turned to each of his girlfriends, wishing them a happy New Year before giving them each a heartfelt kiss. The three of them held each other close, feeling the warmth of their shared bond and excitement for what the new year would bring.
At that moment, with fireworks lighting up the city and his arms around two people he deeply cared for, Sandro felt like he was standing on the edge of something big. The world felt vast, filled with limitless potential, and he knew he was ready to dive headfirst into whatever 2009 had in store.
The next morning, Sandro woke up with a hangover, groggy but smiling. Untangling himself from April and Nicole's sleepy embraces, he slipped out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make some much-needed coffee. The warmth of the drink eased his headache, and he leaned against the counter, savoring the calm morning after an exciting night.
His phone rang, and he saw his mother, Taylor, calling. Answering with a smile, he was immediately greeted by her cheerful "Happy New Year!" followed by his father, Jack, calling out the same in the background. Sandro grinned and returned the greeting, catching up with them for a few minutes.
They asked about his plans for the day, and he shared that tonight would mark the start of a big storyline at FCW. His mother, as always, was enthusiastic and supportive, and after a few more warm exchanges, they hung up.
With a surge of motivation, Sandro prepared breakfast for himself, April, and Nicole. After setting out plates of eggs, toast, and fruit, he gently woke his girlfriends, who smiled sleepily as they joined him.
Over breakfast, they shared more laughs and talked about the year ahead. One by one, they took turns showering and getting ready, and by early afternoon, they were headed toward FCW Headquarters together in Sandro's car, each of them buzzing with excitement for the night.
Upon arrival, Sandro separated from April and Nicole, who went to the women's locker room, while he headed to his own locker room to change into his wrestling gear. As he entered the backstage area, he saw Kofi and Taylor chatting with Dusty. The topic was the big storyline kickoff for the factions, and the energy was palpable. Dusty, who had helped craft the story's intricate layers, was running through the plan for the night.
Taylor, who had been steadily building a rivalry with Creed, would have an intense match tonight, in front of jam packed crowd for tonight's show. Fans were already invested in the animosity between the two, and the match promised to be a spectacle.
The plan was for Creed to win, leaving Taylor's character visibly defeated and crestfallen. The storyline would then have Taylor walking backstage, visibly upset, muttering about how he had let his family down. It was at this vulnerable moment that Sandro and Kofi, as FCW's reigning Tag Team Champions, would approach him. They'd offer him guidance, suggesting that he was taken under their wing with them, forming a mentor and mentee relationship.
Dusty finished briefing them, and Taylor was practically vibrating with excitement. Sandro chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "Easy there, Taylor. Remember, too much excitement can mess up the segment," he teased. Taylor grinned but took a few deep breaths to steady himself, nodding as Sandro and Kofi gave him encouraging pats on the back.
As the evening approached, the backstage area began to fill with other wrestlers, all prepping for the show. Sandro, Kofi, and Taylor were joined by April and Nicole, who offered encouraging smiles and supportive hugs before heading off to prepare for their own segments.
Finally, showtime arrived. The arena was packed, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. The night's matches began, building up to the much-anticipated clash between Taylor and Creed.
As the bell rang, Taylor and Creed circled each other, the tension in the air palpable. The crowd cheered, their energy feeding into the two competitors, who each sought to outwit the other. Their match was a brutal, fast-paced battle, with the audience on the edge of their seats, cheering and gasping at every near-fall.
They locked up in a grapple, each straining for control. Creed's strength pushed Taylor back, but Taylor twisted out, using his agility to reverse the hold, bringing Creed down to one knee with a wrist lock. Creed grunted in frustration, rolling to escape, and quickly countered by pulling Taylor into a side headlock.
Taylor, sensing the crowd behind him, struggled free and whipped Creed into the ropes. As Creed rebounded, Taylor leaped into a powerful dropkick, sending Creed sprawling to the mat. The crowd erupted as Taylor followed up, grabbing Creed by the arm and slamming him with a snap suplex.
The impact echoed through the arena, but Creed quickly got to his feet, his face set in determination. Taylor charged, aiming for a clothesline, but Creed ducked, rebounding off the ropes to launch into a high-speed shoulder tackle that floored Taylor.
Both men were back on their feet in seconds, sizing each other up. Creed lunged forward with a series of vicious punches, forcing Taylor back toward the corner. Taylor ducked a wild swing, maneuvering behind Creed and lifting him for a German suplex, slamming him hard onto the mat.
The crowd cheered as Taylor bridged the suplex into a pin attempt, but Creed powered out at the count of two. Taylor rolled away, frustrated but focused, while Creed took a moment to shake off the hit before pushing himself back up.
The two locked eyes, knowing the stakes, and clashed once more, exchanging stiff punches and forearms. Taylor got the upper hand with a swift kick to Creed's midsection, doubling him over, and followed with a high-flying move, leaping off the ropes for a springboard crossbody.
But Creed was ready, catching him mid-air and twisting him around into a punishing backbreaker. Taylor groaned as he hit the mat, clutching his back as Creed seized the opportunity, lifting him up and driving him down with a powerful spinebuster.
The crowd was fully behind the match now, cheering wildly as the two continued their hard-hitting back-and-forth. Taylor, despite the pain, forced himself to his feet and aimed a roundhouse kick at Creed, who barely managed to dodge.
Seizing the opening, Creed caught Taylor's leg and swept him off his feet, delivering a sharp kick to Taylor's ribs before dragging him to the corner. Climbing to the second rope, Creed delivered a series of punches from above, but Taylor, refusing to give in, caught him off-guard and executed a lightning-quick powerbomb, slamming Creed down from his elevated position.
The crowd roared as Taylor tried for another pin, hooking Creed's leg, but again Creed kicked out just before the three-count. Taylor's frustration showed as he got to his feet, pacing for a moment before signaling to the crowd. He climbed to the top turnbuckle, ready for a high-flying move. But as he leaped off for a diving splash, Creed rolled away at the last second, leaving Taylor to crash onto the mat.
Creed saw his opening. As Taylor staggered to his feet, Creed took control, pulling Taylor into position. With the crowd buzzing, Creed hooked Taylor's arm in a hammerlock and swept his leg, executing his devastating finisher, the Culture Shock, a Hammerlock Legsweep DDT that drove Taylor's head forcefully into the mat. The impact was brutal, and the crowd gasped in response.
Creed quickly rolled Taylor over and hooked his leg, the referee counting—one, two, three. The bell rang, signaling Creed's victory. He rose to his feet, his arm raised in triumph as he looked out over the roaring crowd. Taylor lay on the mat, dazed and defeated, his face reflecting the anguish of the loss.
The fans applauded the incredible effort put forth by both men, their cheers echoing through the arena. As Creed exited the ring, Taylor slowly sat up, his expression a mix of disappointment and resolve. He had given everything he had, but tonight belonged to Creed.
As Taylor exited the ring and headed backstage, the live broadcast shifted to a camera following him, capturing his dejected expression. He was muttering, almost to himself, "I've let everyone down… my family… my name…" He looked genuinely heartbroken, a raw performance that had everyone watching captivated.
At that moment, Sandro and Kofi, holding their Tag Team Championship titles, appeared in the hallway. They exchanged glances before approaching Taylor. Sandro spoke first, a calm yet authoritative tone in his voice. "Hey, man. You doing okay?" he asked, his eyes steady.
Taylor looked up, his expression a mix of frustration and self-doubt. He voiced his disappointment, repeating how he felt like he'd failed his family. After listening intently, Sandro and Kofi exchanged another look before making their offer to mentor him, suggesting that with their guidance, he could rise above his doubts.
Taylor's eyes widened in surprise, his excitement barely contained as he accepted their offer. The camera captured every moment, and backstage, the crew exchanged impressed glances. The segment was airing live, and fans in the arena watched it unfold on the Titantron, some even cheering in response to the partnership.
As the segment ended and Taylor walked off to get ready for his next scene, Sandro and Kofi regrouped with Dusty, who had been watching from nearby. Dusty nodded in approval, his gaze lingering on Sandro. "You nailed that, kid. This is going to be something big."
Sandro smiled, sharing a handshake with Dusty, who went on to commend Taylor for his performance. The storyline was off to a strong start, and Sandro felt a rush of excitement as he thought about the potential for this new faction to shake up FCW.
After their segment, Sandro rejoined April and Nicole, who congratulated him on the strong opening to the new storyline. As the night continued, Sandro watched his fellow wrestlers' matches, his mind racing with ideas for his character's journey in the coming months. The faction's storyline had only just begun, and he knew they'd have the fans hooked with every twist and turn.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008) -> 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