Becoming A Wrestler

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As they drove away from the venue, the mood inside the car was lighthearted, but there was an underlying awareness of the risks they were taking. April and Nicole weren't just FCW wrestlers, they were rising stars in the industry, and any controversy surrounding them could impact their careers. The last thing Sandro wanted was for his personal life to overshadow their professional accomplishments.

"I think we should have a plan," April said, pulling down her mask now that they were safely inside the car. "At some point, people are going to find out. How do we handle it when they do?"

Nicole leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "Yeah, do we deny it? Keep playing dumb? Or just rip the band aid off and tell the world as it is?"

Sandro kept his eyes on the road, considering their words carefully. "I don't think denying it is a good idea. That would just make things worse when the truth eventually comes out. But I also don't think we need to announce it prematurely. If the time comes, we'll handle it together."

April sighed, leaning back against the seat. "Makes sense. But I swear, if some gossip site tries to paint us as homewreckers or gold diggers, I'm throwing hands."

Nicole on the other hand laughed. "Same here. Let them try and see what my heels taste like."

They continued discussing potential scenarios, joking about the wild headlines the tabloids might come up with. Despite the concerns, they knew they had each other's backs, and that was all that mattered for now.

Meanwhile, back at FCW Headquarters, Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn were still in the office, reviewing the night's show and discussing the future of the FCW North American Championship tournament. They were pleased with how the tournament was shaping up and how the crowd had responded to the announcement.

"This title is going to do big things for FCW," Steve said, leaning back in his chair. "We've got a stacked roster, and now we have a way to highlight more talent."

Dusty nodded, his mind already thinking ahead. "Exactly. And after tonight, I can already tell we've got some real contenders. Roode proved he's a force to be reckoned with, and there's still plenty of guys ready to step up."

Steve smirked. "And let's not forget, Sandro had a hand in all of this."

Dusty chuckled. "Yeah, that kid's got a good head on his shoulders. He understands the business in a way most don't at his age."

As they continued their conversation, one thing was clear, FCW was evolving, and the future was looking brighter than ever.

With new championships, rising stars, and intense rivalries brewing, the next few months would be crucial in shaping the next era of Florida Championship Wrestling.

The following morning, Sandro woke up early and went straight to the FCW Training Center. He had a busy day ahead, training, and a private workout session with some of the newer talents looking to make an impression. When he arrived, he noticed a familiar face sitting on a bench near the ring, Ettore Ewen.

Sandro smiled, walking over to him. "Ettore, how are you feeling?"

Ettore looked up, his expression determined. "Better. The Coaches gave me some pointers last night and said that I learned very fast. I'm ready to prove I belong here."

Sandro nodded. "That's the attitude you need. Keep working hard, and you'll get your shot soon."

Ettore thanked Sandro for the vote of confidence and then asked if he could train with him, not just physically, but in terms of ring psychology, awareness, and living up to a kayfabe character.

Sandro, of course, nodded in agreement. He had received plenty of valuable lessons himself and was more than happy to pass them along.

They started with the basics of ring psychology, how to control the pace of a match, how to sell effectively, and how to tell a story in the ring. Sandro explained that wrestling wasn't just about moves, it was about making the audience believe in what they were seeing.

"Every movement, every facial expression, it all has to mean something," Sandro said as they circled the ring. "You want the fans to connect with you, to feel your pain when you're down and to explode when you fight back."

Ettore listened intently, soaking in every word. They ran through sequences, with Sandro showing him how to build momentum, when to slow down, and when to fire up. After an hour, they shifted to ring awareness, knowing where you are at all times, using the ropes effectively, and avoiding dead zones where the cameras or crowd might miss crucial moments.

Finally, they moved on to kayfabe and character work. "Have you thought about what kind of character you want to portray?" Sandro asked.

Ettore hesitated. "Not really. I just want to be me, but bigger."

Sandro nodded. "That's a good starting point. Your natural personality should always be at the core of your character. But you also need something that makes you stand out."

Sandro had an idea, one that could potentially jumpstart the birth of Big E. In his past life, Big E had debuted on the main roster as a bodyguard for Dolph Ziggler, and that power based enforcer role suited Ettore's natural strength.

"You ever think about being a powerhouse who just wrecks people? It's a good natural debut persona as it screams you all over," Sandro asked with a grin.

Ettore chuckled. "I mean, yeah. That's kind of what I do already."

"Exactly. But what if we refine that? Give you a purpose. Maybe start you as a bodyguard type character, someone who enforces the rules with brute strength."

Ettore rubbed his chin. "Like, someone who just shuts people down?"

"Yeah. Someone who doesn't talk much but lets his actions speak. And when you do talk, it's impactful. You're a guy who makes people think twice before stepping up."

Ettore nodded slowly. "I like that."

Sandro smiled. "Good. But we're not just working on in ring skills. You also need to be ready for promos, how to handle yourself backstage, how to navigate the business."

Over the next hour, they ran through promo exercises, with Sandro challenging Ettore to think on his feet. It wasn't just about delivering lines, it was about presence, confidence, and making people believe in what you were saying.

By the time they were finished, Ettore was exhausted but excited. "This was the best training session I've had," he admitted. "Thanks, man."

"Anytime," Sandro replied. "Keep working. You've got something special."

As Ettore left to shower, Sandro sat on the edge of the ring, deep in thought. He was helping shape the future of FCW, but he also had his own path to carve, where he was thinking of directions on how to create his new persona.

As Sandro sat on the edge of the ring, lost in thought about his own career and the possibilities for his evolving persona, he heard voices approaching from the entrance of the training center.

He looked up to see his two girlfriends, April and Nicole, leading a small group of FCW's female talents, wrestlers and trainees, into the facility. With them were Brianna, Davina, Rebecca, Alexis, and Ashley.

Curiosity piqued, and Sandro watched as the group made their way toward one of the empty rings. April and Nicole seemed to be taking charge, their experience giving them a natural leadership role.

"Alright, Alexis, Ashley, listen up," April began, tying her hair into a ponytail. "You already know how important in ning skills are, but just being a good wrestler isn't enough. You need to have a persona, a character that fans can connect with. That's what separates the good from the great."

Nicole nodded, adding, "Exactly. Alexis and Ashley, you two are getting close to being ready for your debuts. But talent alone won't cut it. You need to decide what kind of performer you want to be. Who is your character? What's her story? Why should fans care about you?"

Alexis and Ashley exchanged glances before Alexis spoke up. "We've been thinking about it, but honestly, we're not sure yet. We know we want to stand out, but we don't want to be just another pair of 'pretty faces' in the division. We want to be taken seriously."

Rebecca smirked, leaning against the ropes. "That's a good start. But it's one thing to say it, and another to actually make people believe it. The way you carry yourself, the way you talk in promos, the way you fight in the ring, it all has to align with the character you create."

Ashley crossed her arms, looking thoughtful. "So, what worked for you guys? How did you figure out your personas?"

April chuckled. "A lot of trial and error, honestly. But one thing that helped was studying the best. Who do you admire? What kind of characters draw you in as a fan? Take inspiration from that, but make it your own."

Nicole grinned. "And don't be afraid to be bold. The best gimmicks are the ones where the person fully commits."

As the conversation unfolded, Sandro couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had spent so much time training, and refining his own craft, and now, seeing April and Nicole mentor the next wave of talent, he realized just how much FCW was growing, not just as a company but as a true developmental system for the future of wrestling.

Deciding to join in, Sandro stood up and walked over to the group. "Mind if I add something?" he asked, drawing everyone's attention.

April smirked. "By all means, Mr. FCW Champion."

Sandro chuckled. "What they're saying is spot on. I ring skills will get you far, but it's your character that will make you unforgettable. Look at guys like The Undertaker, The Rock, Stone Cold, and your father Ashley, Ric Flair, they weren't just great wrestlers. They were larger than life personas. And when you find the right persona, everything else starts to fall into place."

Alexis nodded. "Okay, so let's say we figure out our characters. How do we make people care?"

Sandro leaned against the ropes. "That's where storytelling comes in. Every promo you cut, every match you have, it needs to tell a story. Fans need a reason to invest in you. Maybe you're an underdog fighting against the odds. Maybe you're a cocky upstart who thinks she's already better than the veterans. Maybe you're a ruthless competitor who stops at nothing to win. Whatever it is, own it."

Ashley seemed deep in thought. "So, we need to think about what kind of stories we want to tell."

April nodded. "Exactly. And once you figure that out, you train like hell to make sure you can deliver on it. The best performers in this business aren't just playing characters, they become them."

The discussion went on for another hour, with each woman starting to refine their ideas for their personas. Sandro found himself impressed with the passion and drive on display.

As the session wrapped up, Nicole stretched her arms above her head. "Alright, I think we've drilled enough knowledge into your heads for today. But this isn't the end of it. Keep working, keep refining. And if you ever need help, you know where to find us."

Alexis and Ashley nodded, appreciative of the advice and guidance. As the group began to disperse, April walked up to Sandro, a knowing smile on her face.

"You looked like a proud dad back there," she teased.

Sandro laughed. "What can I say? It's good to see the next generation stepping up."

Nicole nudged him. "You do realize we're all still part of that generation, right? And Ashley technically was older than you as well."

He grinned. "Hey, gotta start thinking like a veteran eventually."

Hearing this, April shook her head, amused. "Come on, let's go grab some food. I think we all earned it."

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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