Chapter 147: 138. Promotion & Rehearsal For War Games Match
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"Save it for the ring, boys," Dusty said with a chuckle, though his tone carried a hint of warning, which woke everyone up including Sandro as they apologized and let out a chuckle that shooting a promotional video almost caused them to trade blows. As the shoot wrapped up, the production crew began packing up their equipment, and the wrestlers started to disperse. But the excitement lingered in the air, a palpable sense of anticipation for the chaos that awaited at War Games.
After the promotional video and poster shoots for the War Games pay-per-view, the wrestlers began to disperse from the FCW Headquarters. Sandro, still buzzing from the intensity of the day, left with his girlfriends, April and Nicole.
The trio walked out into the crisp night air, sharing laughs and recounting the day's events as they climbed into Sandro's car. The engine purred to life, and they pulled away, heading toward a local American diner for a late dinner.
The diner was a cozy spot, its neon sign glowing warmly against the darkened streets. Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed, with a few patrons scattered across the booths and bar stools.
The three of them slid into a booth near the window, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of dishes creating a comforting backdrop. A waitress approached with a smile, taking their orders before leaving them to their conversation.
Sandro leaned back in his seat, a contented smile on his face as he looked at April and Nicole. "Today was something else," he said, shaking his head slightly. "But you know what? There's something I've been meaning to tell you both."
April raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? What is it?"
Nicole, always perceptive, leaned forward slightly. "This sounds serious. Spill it."
Sandro chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "It's nothing bad. Actually, it's good news. My dad recently made a big move. He's invested in Twitter and now owns 15% of its shares, making him one of the major shareholders."
April and Nicole exchanged surprised glances before breaking into smiles.
"That's amazing!" Nicole exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Congrats to your dad, and to you too. This is big."
April nodded in agreement, her expression warm. "It's not every day someone's father becomes a major shareholder in a company like Twitter. That's incredible, Sandro."
Sandro shrugged modestly. "Thanks, but honestly, it's just another day in my family. You've both gotten used to this kind of thing by now, right?"
Nicole smirked, taking a sip of her milkshake. "You're not wrong. The first time you told us about your dad's business moves, it felt overwhelming. Now? It's like, 'Oh, another multi-million-dollar deal. Cool.'"
April laughed, nodding. "Yeah, but it's still impressive. You should be proud of him. And honestly, it's pretty cool to be part of these conversations."
Their food arrived, and the three of them dug in, the conversation flowing easily as they talked about everything from the War Games match to their plans for the weekend. Despite the whirlwind of their professional lives, these quiet moments together grounded them, a reminder of the bond they shared.
Meanwhile, back at FCW Headquarters, the lights in Dusty's office remained on as he and Steve poured over a list of potential venues for the War Games pay-per-view.
The energy from the earlier shoot had lingered, fueling their determination to finalize the details for the event. With the funds they had secured from Stephanie McMahon, they had the budget to go big, and they intended to make the most of it.
Dusty tapped a pen against the desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied the list. "We've got some good options here, but we need a venue that's not just big enough, but one that'll bring the right energy. War Games is a spectacle, Steve. We can't settle for anything less."
Steve nodded, scrolling through his tablet. "I agree. The crowd needs to feel like they're part of something monumental. The right venue can make all the difference."
They went through the list, debating the merits of each location. Madison Square Garden had the prestige, but its availability was limited. The Staples Center in Los Angeles was tempting, but it didn't quite fit the vibe they were aiming for. Finally, their attention landed on the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
Dusty leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "The Amway Center… it's got the capacity, the facilities, and the history with wrestling. Plus, it's close enough to FCW's home base to make logistics easier. What do you think?"
Steve nodded slowly, a smile spreading across his face. "I think it's perfect. Let's lock it in."
Without wasting a moment, Steve picked up his phone and dialed the management of the Amway Center. The conversation was brief but productive, and by the time he hung up, the venue was officially reserved for the event.
Dusty grinned, clapping his hands together. "That's one more piece of the puzzle in place. Now all we need to do is make sure everything else runs smoothly."
Steve chuckled. "With this lineup and the hype we're building, I'm not worried. The seats will fill by itself, we just need to promote War Games is going to be unforgettable."
Back at the diner, Sandro, April, and Nicole were finishing their meal, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Sandro paused, looking at his girlfriends with a fond smile.
"You know," he said, "days like this make me realize how lucky I am. Not just because of my family or career, but because of you two."
Nicole rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, Mr. Sentimental. Don't go getting all mushy on us."
April laughed, looping her arm through Sandro's. "We're lucky too, you know. Now let's get home. We've got a big week ahead, and I need my beauty sleep."
Days turned into a whirlwind of excitement as the promotional videos and posters for War Games blanketed Orlando and began spreading beyond the city limits. Vibrant graphics and tantalizing slogans adorned billboards, bus stops, and even digital screens in bustling city squares. The buzz was palpable, with fans eagerly snapping photos of the posters and sharing them across social media.
Sandro took an active role in the promotion, leveraging his father Jack's influence to ensure maximum reach. On Twitter, Sandro shared behind-the-scenes footage, tagging the official FCW account and hyping up the roster's dedication to delivering an unforgettable experience.
On YouTube, the promotional video, crafted with dramatic soundtracks, intense action shots, and glimpses of wrestlers cutting fiery promos, gained traction, racking up thousands of views within hours. Dusty's approval of this cross-platform push proved pivotal, with engagement soaring and ticket sales climbing steadily.
Fans, both die-hard loyalists and newcomers intrigued by the buzz, couldn't wait to see how the event would unfold. Storylines built over the last three weeks had reached a fever pitch. Twitter threads dissecting potential outcomes of the matches trended among wrestling communities, and words like FCWWarGames and ThisIsWar lit up timelines.
On the Friday before the big day, the Amway Center buzzed with activity. Sandro arrived early, his excitement barely contained. Joining him were Kofi, Taylor, Sheamus, Moxley, Drew, Stu, Creed, Joe, and Nick. The FCW staff and crew were already hard at work assembling the ring in the heart of the arena. The cage structure for the War Games match loomed ominously in the background, its metallic sheen catching the arena lights.
Sandro stood at the edge of the construction area, arms crossed as he watched the ring crew meticulously piece together the battlefield for tomorrow's chaos. "They're really outdoing themselves," he murmured to Sheamus, who stood beside him.
Sheamus nodded, his arms resting on the top rope of the partially assembled ring. "Aye, it's shaping up to be one hell of a stage. The crowd's gonna lose their minds."
Kofi walked over, tossing a water bottle to Taylor. "It's not just the crowd, man. I've got butterflies already, and that's saying something."
Taylor chuckled, cracking open the bottle. "If you're nervous, what does that make me? This our first War Games match, remember?"
Sandro hearing what Taylor said let out a chuckle and pat him on the back. "Trust me, Taylor, once that bell rings and you're in the zone, everything else fades away. You've got this."
"Speaking of which," Moxley interjected, walking over with a smirk, "we should start rehearsals. This isn't just any match. Timing and chemistry have to be on point. Let's give the fans a show they'll never forget."
With the ring and cage fully constructed, the group climbed in to begin their training session. Despite the camaraderie, the seriousness of the task ahead hung in the air. Sandro and Dusty's vision for War Games was ambitious, and the wrestlers felt the weight of the expectations placed upon them.
The team rehearsed sequences, fine-tuning every move and spot. Sandro found himself paired with Stu for part of the session. Stu's experience and leadership helped Sandro build the match easily as they worked through their planned interactions. Drew and Creed, meanwhile, experimented with innovative double-team maneuvers, drawing nods of approval from the others.
At one point, Nick called for a break, wiping sweat from his brow. "You know," he said, glancing around the ring, "I think this might be the best card FCW has ever put together. The fans are in for a treat."
Joe leaned against the ropes, his chest rising and falling with each breath. "As long as we stick to the plan and don't try to go off-script too much, we'll be fine. But yeah, this lineup is stacked."
Sandro took a moment to look around the arena. Even without the roaring crowd, the sheer scale of the venue was awe-inspiring. This was a far cry from the smaller shows he had been part of earlier in his career. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at how far FCW had come.
Dusty arrived later in the afternoon to check on the progress. He stood at ringside, arms folded, his presence commanding attention. "Y'all are looking good," he said, his deep voice cutting through the background noise. "Remember, tomorrow isn't just about winning matches. It's about telling stories, creating moments these fans will talk about for years. You've got one shot. Make it count."
The rehearsal session continued at the Amway Center, with the wrestlers deep into planning their sequences for the War Games match. The excitement in the air was tangible, as each of them knew they were on the brink of something special. Just as they were about to wrap up the first phase of rehearsals, Tyler, Moxley's tag team partner, arrived, exuding his usual energy.
Tyler climbed into the ring and immediately commanded attention. "Alright, I've got an idea," he said, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Hear me out, we start the match with Nick entering first for the Empire team. Not because he wants to, but because the others force him. Then, on Dragon's Boom's side, Jon's the first to enter."
The wrestlers exchanged intrigued glances, sensing something interesting was brewing. Tyler continued, his voice picking up momentum. "Picture these guys, Jon starts his entrance, slow and methodical, with that look on his face. You know the one, like he's about to rip someone apart. Nick, already nervous, sees Jon's psychopathic expression and freaks out. He panics, climbs the cage, and bolts to the backstage area. The crowd will lose it."
Moxley's eyes lit up, and a wicked grin spread across his face. "I love it. The fans are going to eat that up. But what happens next?"
"This is where it gets even better," Tyler said, pacing the ring as he spoke. "Nick's escape leaves everyone confused. The other wrestlers, the fans, even the referees. Then, a few seconds later, I show up backstage. I grab Nick and drag him back to the cage, kicking and screaming if I have to. No escape. The match starts whether he likes it or not."
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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