Becoming A Wrestler

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Dusty tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable at first. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, the weight of his presence suddenly making the hallway feel much smaller. Sandro braced himself, half-expecting a lecture or a line of questioning he wasn't prepared to answer.

But then, to their collective surprise, Dusty smiled, a warm, understanding smile that seemed to dispel the tension in the air. He gestured with a hand, as if to wave off any concerns.

"Relax, kid," Dusty said, his voice low and soothing, tinged with that signature Southern drawl. "Ain't nobody here but us. No need to explain nothin'."

Nicole and April exchanged quick, uncertain glances, still fidgeting nervously. Sandro shifted his weight, his shoulders easing slightly at Dusty's reassuring tone.

Dusty leaned against the doorframe, his eyes soft but keen, like a man who'd seen it all and understood far more than he let on. "Now, I ain't blind, and I ain't dumb. I see what's goin' on here," he said, gesturing lightly toward the trio. "And y'all don't need to worry 'bout me runnin' my mouth."

Nicole blinked, her voice faltering. "You... you're not upset?"

"Upset?" Dusty chuckled, shaking his head. "Darlin', why would I be upset? Life's complicated, love's even more so. And from what I can see, it looks like the three of y'all got somethin' real special here. That's rare. Ain't my place to judge it."

April exhaled, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "But... people might not understand," she murmured. "It's not exactly... common."

Dusty nodded thoughtfully, scratching his chin. "You're right 'bout that. Lotta folks out there got opinions 'bout things they don't understand. But listen here, y'all ain't hurtin' nobody, it's not illegal, and the way I see it, you're lucky to have each other. Don't let the world make you feel ashamed of that."

Sandro cleared his throat, his voice steady but tinged with gratitude. "Thank you, Dusty. That means a lot coming from you."

Dusty smiled, stepping forward and placing a hand on Sandro's shoulder. "Son, you've got enough on your plate bein' in this business. The last thing you need is worryin' 'bout what folks think 'bout your personal life. You just focus on what's important, bein' there for each other and buildin' somethin' meaningful."

He turned his gaze to Nicole and April, his tone softening further. "And if y'all ever need someone to talk to, someone who ain't gonna judge, you come find me. Promise I'll keep this between us."

Nicole and April both nodded, their expressions a mix of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," Nicole said quietly, her voice steadying.

Dusty grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Ain't nothin' to thank me for, sweetheart. Just do me a favor, alright? Take care of each other. This business can chew people up if they don't got folks to lean on."

April smiled softly. "We will. We promise."

Dusty gave Sandro a light pat on the shoulder, his grin widening. "And you, kid, don't let this get to your head. You're still a rookie in my book even if you have accomplished much before even a year."

Sandro laughed, the sound was genuine. "Yes, sir."

Dusty stepped back, his demeanor shifting back to the mentor everyone knew him to be. "Alright, now get on outta here. You three look like you could use some rest. And don't worry, I'll make sure nobody else catches on."

As Dusty turned to leave, Sandro called after him. "Dusty?"

The older man paused, glancing back over his shoulder.

"Thank you," Sandro said, his voice filled with sincerity. "For everything."

Dusty tipped an imaginary hat, his grin never fading. "Anytime, kid. Now go on. Y'all earned this."

As Dusty disappeared down the hallway, the trio stood in silence for a moment, the weight of what had just happened sinking in. Sandro turned to Nicole and April, their faces still tinged with embarrassment but now softened with relief.

"Well," Sandro said, his voice light with humor, "that could've gone a lot worse."

April smacked his arm playfully, her cheeks still pink. "You think?"

Nicole laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly, I'm just glad it was Dusty and not someone else. He's one of the few people who'd actually understand."

Sandro nodded, wrapping an arm around each of them. "He's right, you know. We've got something special. And I'm not letting anyone or anything ruin that."

Nicole leaned into him, her voice quiet but firm. "Neither are we."

April smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. "Together, right?"

"Always," Sandro replied, his voice steady with conviction.

As they made their way to the exit toward Sandro's car at the parking lot, the night's events played over in Sandro's mind, not just the match, but the moments that followed. Dusty's words stayed with him, a reminder of what truly mattered.

It wasn't just the cheers of the crowd or the victories in the ring. It was the people by his side, the ones who believed in him, supported him, and loved him unconditionally.

The arena doors opened, and the cool night air greeted them. Hand in hand once more, they stepped out into the quiet parking lot, their bond stronger than ever.

After dropping Nicole and April off at their apartments, Sandro finally returned to his own place. The weight of the evening was still on his shoulders, though it was a comfortable kind of weight, one filled with camaraderie, shared experiences, and Dusty's unexpectedly supportive words.

As he entered his apartment, he tossed his car keys and wallet onto the coffee table, then slumped onto the couch. The day had been long, and he was physically exhausted, but his mind buzzed with a strange mixture of thoughts. Grabbing the remote, Sandro turned on the television, hoping to find something mindless to watch to help him unwind.

To his surprise, the screen lit up with a Fox News program. Normally, he would have switched the channel immediately, but the banner at the bottom caught his eye: "Nexum Core's Rapid Rise: Shaking Up America Industries."

Sandro leaned forward, his interest piqued. Seeing his family company being discussed so prominently on a major news outlet was unexpected for him, because he never thought they would catch attention.

The news anchor, a polished man with a crisp suit and a practiced smile, spoke with enthusiasm.

"Since its founding just over a year ago by Jack Zhang, Nexum Core Enterprise has made waves in the business world, establishing itself as one of the most ambitious and diverse companies of our time."

The camera cut to a montage of Nexum Core's various ventures: shimmering resorts in tropical locations, bustling tech campuses and companies, and clips of UFC fights and WWE events.

Sandro grabbed his phone and quickly typed out a message to his father: Hey Dad, turn on Fox News if you're free. They're talking about Nexum Core.

He set the phone aside but kept it within reach, curious if Jack would respond. The program continued, bringing in a panel of finance and business experts. A middle-aged man with a salt-and-pepper beard spoke first.

"What Nexum Core has done in just over a year is nothing short of revolutionary," he said. "Acquiring Marvel and UFC, alongside significant investments in WWE, has positioned them as a dominant force in entertainment and sports entertainment. But they're not stopping there. Their investments in tech companies like YouTube, Google, and Facebook, as well as the recent acquisition of Twitter, suggest a long-term strategy aimed at controlling digital ecosystems."

A woman in a sharp red blazer chimed in. "And let's not forget their ventures into tourism and hospitality. Those resorts in Florida have been drawing huge crowds, particularly with their focus on luxury and family-friendly experiences. It's clear Nexum Core is aiming to be an all-encompassing brand, touching every aspect of daily life."

Sandro couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Jack's vision for Nexum Core was ambitious, but hearing it laid out like this made it feel even more monumental.

The segment shifted to a discussion of the potential risks. "Of course," another expert interjected, "expanding too quickly across so many industries carries significant risks. Nexum Core's success will depend on its ability to manage these disparate ventures effectively. A misstep in one sector could ripple across the entire company."

Sandro's phone buzzed. He picked it up to see a reply from his father.

Jack: Thanks for the heads-up, son. I'm watching now. Pretty wild, huh?

Sandro smiled, typing back.

Sandro: Yeah, they're laying it all out. Didn't realize how much you've expanded.

Jack: It's been a whirlwind. We've got big plans, but it's all about keeping the momentum. How's your day been?

Sandro hesitated for a moment before replying.

Sandro: Eventful. Had the War Games match tonight. Went well. Dusty talked to me after. He's a good guy.

Jack's response was quick.

Jack: Dusty's one of the best. Glad to hear it went well. You've got a good head on your shoulders, son. Keep doing your thing.

The news program caught Sandro's attention again as the anchor posed a final question to the panel. "With rumors circulating about Nexum Core's interest in the music industry, what do you think this means for the company's future?"

The woman in red responded thoughtfully.

"If the rumors are true, Nexum Core could potentially dominate yet another major industry. They've already proven they can innovate and thrive in highly competitive markets. The music industry, while challenging, could be another feather in their cap. It's clear that Jack Zhang is playing a long game, and so far, he's playing it well."

The segment concluded with the anchor summarizing Nexum Core's accomplishments and speculating on what the future might hold.

Sandro turned off the TV, leaning back into the couch. The pride he felt was mixed with a sense of distance. Despite his surname and his connection to Jack, Sandro had always strived to carve out his own path. Yet, he couldn't ignore the pull of his family's legacy.

His phone buzzed again.

Jack: By the way, if you ever want to get more involved with Nexum Core, just say the word. No pressure, but the door's always open.

Sandro stared at the message for a moment before replying.

Sandro: Thanks, Dad. I'll think about it. I wanted to focus on my wrestling career first, then let's talk about me truly helping you manage the company.

Putting the phone down, Sandro let out a long breath. Tonight had been a reminder of how busy his life was, but he still loved his life because this was a second chance at life, and he had the chance to do something that he loved and always wanted to do.

After turning off his phone and leaning back into the couch, Sandro sat in contemplative silence. The pride and satisfaction of the evening mixed with the lingering weight of Dusty's words, his father's encouragement, and his own ambitions.

His mind buzzed with everything, the War Games match, the Fox News segment about Nexum Core, and the unshakable bond he shared with Nicole and April.

Deciding it was time to unwind, Sandro pushed himself off the couch and headed to the bathroom. The warm cascade of water from the shower felt like a physical reset, washing away the exhaustion from the intense match and the whirlwind of thoughts. As the steam rose around him, Sandro let his muscles relax, the tension of the day easing with every passing moment.

His mind wandered back to the advice Dusty had given: focus on what's important and don't let outside noise cloud what truly matters. Those words resonated deeply, grounding him amidst the chaos of his ever-demanding life.

After his shower, Sandro slipped into comfortable clothes and prepared a light dinner: grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, and a small bowl of quinoa. He ate slowly, savoring the quiet of his apartment, the only sounds coming from the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional car passing by outside. By the time he climbed into bed, his body felt heavy with fatigue but his mind was at ease. Sleep came easily, bringing with it a restful, dreamless night.

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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