Chapter 164: 155. The After Effect Of Becoming Number 1 Contender
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Sandro climbed the turnbuckle, raising both arms in triumph as the fans showered him with adoration. He pointed to the championship still in Joe's hands, signaling that it would soon be his. Joe, still seething, backed up the ramp, his eyes never leaving Sandro.
Commentator 1: "Joe's not going to forget this. Sandro may have won tonight, but he's painted a giant target on his back."
Commentator 2: "That's what it takes to be a champion in FCW! Sandro knows what's ahead, but after tonight's performance, you've got to believe he's ready for anything!"
The show ended with Sandro standing tall in the ring, the crowd chanting his name as he stared down Samoa Joe. The road to the Florida Heavyweight Championship was set, and the story of Sandro's road to becoming champion had just started in the eyes of the fans.
As Sandro stood tall in the ring, basking in the adulation of the crowd, his music still echoing through the arena, a familiar face appeared on the ramp. Kofi, Sandro's tag partner, made his way down to the ring with a wide grin, clapping enthusiastically. The audience erupted again, clearly happy to see the camaraderie between the two.
Kofi slid into the ring and pulled Sandro into a celebratory hug, patting him on the back. "You did it, man!" Kofi shouted over the noise of the crowd. "You proved to everyone why you deserve to be in the main event scene!"
Sandro, still catching his breath, grinned. "I couldn't have done it without your support, Kof. We've been through a lot, and this is just the beginning."
The two men raised their hands in the center of the ring as the fans continued to chant loving the money shared between the two of them, "SAN-DRO! SAN-DRO!" The ovation was deafening, a moment of pure victory for the young wrestler. Kofi gestured to the championship belt Joe had taken with him backstage and leaned in close to Sandro. "That title? It's yours, man. Go get it."
Sandro nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. He climbed the turnbuckle one last time, pointing to the fans as a way of thanking them for their unwavering support. After a few more moments of celebration, he and Kofi exited the ring, heading toward the backstage area.
As they walked up the ramp, Sandro turned to the fans one final time, raising his arm in acknowledgment. The applause followed him all the way to the curtain, and the moment he stepped backstage, the atmosphere shifted from loud and chaotic to a bustling hum of excitement. The crew, staff, and fellow wrestlers erupted into cheers, clapping and congratulating Sandro as he made his way through the narrow halls.
"Great job out there!" shouted one of the production crew members.
"Hell of a match, Sandro!" added another wrestler, clapping him on the back.
Sandro smiled warmly, nodding at everyone who stopped to offer their congratulations. Kofi stayed close, beaming with pride at the recognition his partner was receiving. The night truly felt like a turning point.
Then, through the crowd, Dusty and Steve appeared, their presence immediately commanding attention. They were flanked by Joe, who held his championship belt loosely at his side. Dusty's grin was unmistakable, his pride evident as he approached Sandro.
"Kid," Dusty began, his Southern drawl filled with warmth, "you done went out there and stole the show. That's what wrestling's all about, telling a story, making the fans feel somethin'. And tonight? You did just that."
Steve nodded in agreement. "You've got it, Sandro. You and Joe had the kind of chemistry out there that makes this business magic."
Joe, compared to the acting he put out there where he was showing that he felt sour from his loss, he was happy and recognized the effort they had shared for tonight's match, smirked. "Don't let it go to your head, kid. You brought it tonight. But remember, this win doesn't mean you've beaten me yet, our story still needs to continue until the pay per view."
Sandro chuckled, extending his hand toward Joe. "Wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for pushing me out there. We made something special tonight."
Joe shook his hand firmly. "You earned that win. Now don't waste the momentum and ensure our promo and matches in the future are fire."
As the group continued their conversation, a sudden commotion caught everyone's attention. Sandro turned just in time to see April and Nicole running toward him, their faces lit up with excitement. Nicole's twin sister, Brianna, followed closely behind, grinning but maintaining a more reserved demeanor.
"Sandro!" April shouted, throwing her arms around him as soon as she reached him. She hugged him tightly, her face glowing with pride. "You were amazing out there! I knew you could do it!"
Nicole quickly joined in, wrapping her arms around Sandro from the other side. "That match was insane! You're unstoppable, Sandro!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine excitement.
Brianna hung back slightly, watching the scene unfold with a knowing smile. Dusty, who stood nearby, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly amused. He and Brianna exchanged a subtle glance, both aware of the unconventional dynamic between Sandro, April, and Nicole.
Sandro, caught off guard by the sudden outpouring of affection, laughed nervously. "Thanks, you two. I couldn't have done it without you cheering me on."
April and Nicole, realizing they might have overstepped in public, quickly tried to compose themselves. They stepped back, attempting to act nonchalantly as if they were simply congratulating a close friend and not their boyfriend.
"Great match, buddy," April said, her tone casual but slightly forced.
"Yeah, bestie," Nicole added with a teasing grin, nudging him playfully. "You really showed Joe who's boss."
Their attempt at downplaying the situation didn't go unnoticed by the surrounding crowd. Kofi raised an eyebrow, exchanging a curious look with Dusty. Steve smirked but said nothing, and Joe simply rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath about "rookie drama."
Sandro, sensing the need to steer the conversation, turned back to Dusty and Steve. "Thank you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I promise I won't let you down."
Dusty placed a hand on Sandro's shoulder, his expression serious but kind. "We ain't worried about that, kid. You've got the heart of a champion, and that's somethin' you can't teach. Now go get some rest. You've earned it."
With that, Dusty and Steve walked off, taking Joe with them. As the three of them disappeared down the hallway, April and Nicole flanked Sandro once more, their excitement bubbling to the surface again. Brianna finally stepped forward, giving Sandro a warm hug. "You were incredible out there. I'm so proud of you," she said softly.
"Thanks, Bri," Sandro replied, his voice filled with gratitude and some mixed feelings as this was the first time after a long time that he had interacted with Briann, as previously she went on her way to avoid him.
Kofi, still standing nearby, crossed his arms and smirked. "Man, you've got quite the cheering section. No wonder you're unstoppable."
April shot him a playful glare. "What can we say? We're his biggest fans."
Nicole nodded enthusiastically. "And we're not going anywhere."
Sandro shook his head, laughing. "I appreciate all of you. Tonight was a team effort."
As the group walked down the hallway, the energy surrounding Sandro's victory was infectious. The FCW production crew buzzed with excitement as they exchanged nods and high-fives with Sandro.
April and Nicole, still brimming with enthusiasm, practically skipped alongside him, while Kofi hung back slightly, observing the unfolding dynamic with a bemused smirk. Brianna walked on Sandro's other side, offering quieter support.
Back in the locker room, Sandro finally found a moment to catch his breath. He sank onto a bench, running a towel over his face to wipe away the remnants of sweat and adrenaline.
Kofi leaned against a locker, arms crossed, and chuckled. "Man, you've got the whole of Florida even America talking right now. Enjoy this moment, well even though it's every day you always steal the show and set the internet on fire."
Sandro looked up, slightly laughing hearing what Kofi said. "It's surreal, Kof. I mean, this moment keeps repeating but every time it repeats, the feeling it... it's something else."
April plopped down beside him, practically bouncing with excitement. "Of course, it's surreal! You were incredible out there. Seriously, the crowd was electric. Did you hear them chanting your name?"
Nicole nodded fervently, sitting on the other side. "Sandro, Sandro! It was deafening. I swear, the fans adore you. And who wouldn't? You've got the skills and the charm."
Brianna smiled full of friendliness to show boundaries, leaning against the doorframe. "It's not just about the skills, though. You connect with them, Sandro. That's something special."
Sandro looked around at his friends, feeling a mix of gratitude and humility. "Thanks, everyone. But this is just the beginning. Joe's no joke, and if I'm going to take that championship, I need to be ready for whatever comes next."
As Sandro sat reflecting on his victory, the FCW Universe was ablaze with discussions about the night's main event. Twitter exploded with words like Sandr. Vs Joe, Next Champion throned?, and FCE Florida Heavyweight Title.
Fans passionately debated the outcome of the match, creating a clear divide between those rooting for Joe to retain his title and those rallying behind Sandro as the underdog.
One fan tweeted:
"Sandro is the future of wrestling! That match was epic, and I can't wait to see him dethrone Joe at the PPV. Waiting for a New Champ throne at the pay per view."
Another countered:
"Joe's the champ for a reason. Sandro might've won tonight, but he doesn't have what it takes to go the distance. Team Joe all the way baby!"
On the FCW Official Forum, speculation ran wild about the type of match stipulation the two would face at the upcoming pay-per-view. Threads popped up with titles like "Steel Cage Showdown?", "TLC Match for the Ages!", and "Submission Specialist Battle?" Fans suggested everything from a brutal Last Man Standing match to an Iron Man bout that would push both competitors to their limits.
One post read:
"A TLC match would be insane. Both guys are athletic enough to make it unforgettable! Imagine Sandro and Joe battling in an arena full of Tables, Ladders, and Chairs!"
Another post argued:
"Nah, a submission match would really test their skills. Let's see who can truly outlast the other, whether Joe Coquina Cluth will win or Sandro's very own submission win the match for him."
The buzz from social media and the forums didn't go unnoticed by Dusty and Steve. Sitting in their shared office, they reviewed reports from the FCW staff responsible for managing the company's online presence.
Dusty leaned back in his chair, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Steve, you see this? The fans are eatin' it up. They're invested, man. They've got ideas about the stipulation, and they're not holdin' back."
Steve nodded, scrolling through the threads on his iPhone. "Yeah, they're passionate. And they're coming up with some solid suggestions. This kind of engagement is exactly what we want. Makes the fans feel like they're part of the process."
Dusty tapped a finger on the desk, his mind working. "What if we let 'em decide? Put it to a vote on next Monday's show. We present the stipulations, and give 'em the power to choose. Makes 'em feel involved, and we get somethin' the fans are already hyped about."
Steve smirked. "I like it. Keeps the momentum going, and keeps them talking. Plus, no matter what they choose, Joe and Sandro can deliver. They've already proven that tonight."
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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