Chapter 160: 151. Dethroned & Challenged
If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
Sandro set his sights on Tyler, lifting him onto his shoulders for a devastating Samoan drop. As Tyler writhed in pain, Sandro gestured for Kofi to climb the turnbuckle. The champions were setting up for a double move combo, but before Kofi could leap, Moxley shoved him off the top rope, sending him crashing to the floor outside.
"Moxley just saved Tyler from what could've been the end of this match!" the commentator exclaimed.
With Kofi incapacitated, Moxley and Tyler turned their attention to Sandro. The two challengers double-teamed the powerhouse for Dragon Boom, delivering alternating punches and kicks to wear him down.
Tyler executed a chop block to the back of Sandro's knee, bringing him down to one leg, while Moxley followed up with a running knee strike to the face.
"Sandro is in trouble now," the commentator observed. "He's fighting valiantly, but the numbers game is catching up."
The challengers worked in tandem to neutralize Sandro. Moxley hoisted him up for a spinebuster while Tyler leaped off the second rope with a flying knee to Sandro's face, a brutal combination that left him motionless in the center of the ring.
With Sandro out of commission, the challengers turned their focus to Kofi, who was slowly climbing back onto the apron. Tyler grabbed Kofi by the hair and dragged him into the ring.
Kofi fought back valiantly, delivering a flurry of punches and a spinning heel kick that sent Tyler reeling. Moxley tried to intervene, but Kofi ducked under his clothesline and connected with a springboard dropkick, taking Moxley down.
"Kofi's fighting back against Tyler and Moxley!" the commentator shouted. "He's not going down without a fight!"
Kofi attempted to rally, hitting Tyler with a Boom Drop leg drop. He signaled for Trouble in Paradise, his spinning roundhouse kick finisher, but as he went for it, Tyler ducked under and countered with a superkick to Kofi's jaw. Kofi staggered backward into Moxley, who hoisted him up and planted him with a spinning side slam, his finisher move named Moxicity.
With Kofi dazed on the mat, Tyler quickly lifted him into position for his finisher. He executed the Paroxysm, a swinging lifting inverted DDT, driving Kofi's head and neck into the canvas with devastating force.
"Tyler and Moxley just hit back-to-back finishers!" the commentator exclaimed. "This has to be it for Tyler and Moxley!"
Tyler covered Kofi, hooking both legs as Moxley stood guard, ensuring Sandro couldn't interfere and break the pin.
One… two… three!
The referee's hand hit the mat for the final count, and the bell rang. The crowd erupted in a mix of shock and disbelief not expecting the match to end like this as the ring announcer declared the result.
"Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners and the NEWWWW! FCW Tag Team Champions! Tyler Black and Jon Moxley!"
Tyler and Moxley were handed the championship belts by the referee, and they raised them high above their heads, standing tall in the center of the ring. The crowd's reaction was polarized, with some cheering for the new champions while others booed the controversial outcome.
Meanwhile, Sandro crawled into the ring to check on Kofi, glaring at the new champions with a mix of frustration and determination. The commentary team speculated on what this loss meant for Dragon Boom's future and how Tyler and Moxley's reign as champions would shape the FCW tag division.
"This is a game-changer for FCW," the commentator concluded. "Tyler and Moxley have just solidified their place at the top of the tag team division. But you can bet Dragon Boom will be back, hungrier than ever, to reclaim their titles."
As the new champions made their way up the ramp, belts in hand and smug smiles on their faces. The majority of fans meanwhile boo loudly as they still can't believe that Dragon Boom lost the tag team title, after all, they had a dominant win at the War Games match a couple of days ago.
As the crowd continued to voice their disbelief at Dragon Boom's loss, Tyler and Moxley disappeared through the entrance area, clutching their newly won titles. The tension in the arena was palpable, but the mood shifted when Taylor appeared through the entrance area and sprinted down the ramp.
The fans erupted in cheers, showing their appreciation for his loyalty and camaraderie. Sliding into the ring, Taylor immediately moved to help his mentors slash friends, Sandro and Kofi, who were still recovering from the brutal match.
Taylor knelt beside Kofi, gently patting his back and whispering words of encouragement. The cameras caught the emotion in Taylor's eyes as he looked at Sandro, who acted as if he was visibly frustrated and trying to mask his disappointment.
Together, Taylor and Sandro helped Kofi to his feet, the trio standing united in the ring. The audience responded with a mix of applause and chants of "Dragon Boom!" The gesture of solidarity struck a chord with the fans, reinforcing the bond that made Dragon Boom such a beloved team.
Sandro, acting battered and exhausted, managed a nod of gratitude toward Taylor and Kofi. He acted as if the loss clearly weighed on him, but his resolve was evident in his expression. As Taylor clapped to rally the fans, a sense of optimism began to replace the earlier shock. The crowd's energy swelled, as if willing Dragon Boom to rise again.
The uplifting moment was abruptly interrupted when the familiar and menacing theme music of Joe, the reigning FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion, blared through the arena. The audience's reaction turned to a mix of shock and intrigue, with many fans wondering what Joe's sudden appearance meant.
Sandro, Kofi, and Taylor exchanged confused glances. This wasn't part of the post-match plan that Dusty and Steve had shared with them earlier.
Sandro, even though confused began to act as he looked wary. He stepped slightly in front of Kofi and Taylor, instinctively taking a protective stance as Joe emerged on the stage, his championship belt slung arrogantly over his shoulder.
With a microphone in hand and a smirk that could only be described as sinister, Samoa Joe took a moment to survey the scene. The boos from the crowd didn't faze him, in fact, they seemed to fuel his already towering ego. Raising the microphone to his lips, he began to speak, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the mighty Dragon Boom," Joe sneered, pacing slowly on the stage. "Or should I say… Dragon Bust?"
The insult elicited a loud chorus of boos from the fans, but Joe pressed on, relishing the opportunity to rub salt in the wounds.
"Let me guess, Sandro," Joe continued, pointing directly at the powerhouse. "You thought you were untouchable, didn't you? Riding high off that little War Games victory a couple of days ago, thinking you were invincible after gaining my respect that night. But look at you now, flat on your backs, stripped of your titles, and exposed as nothing more than overrated frauds."
Sandro's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. Taylor placed a hand on his shoulder, a silent reminder to stay composed, but the fury in Sandro's eyes was unmistakable.
Joe's taunts were hitting their mark, but Sandro wasn't the only one affected. Kofi, still recovering from the match, stared at Joe with a mixture of frustration and disbelief.
"And you, Kofi," Joe said, turning his attention to the veteran. "You're supposed to be the wise, experienced one, right? The glue holding this little team together. But tonight, you let your team down. You couldn't even keep your partner from getting double-teamed and demolished."
The crowd roared with boos again, some even starting chants of "Joe sucks!" But Joe merely chuckled, enjoying the chaos he was creating.
"And then there's Taylor," Joe said, finally addressing the youngest member of the trio. "The rookie. The kid with stars in his eyes. Let me give you a little advice, son, ditch these losers before they drag you down with them. They've already proven they can't handle the pressure."
Taylor stepped forward, his face flushed with anger, but Sandro held out an arm to stop him. Shoeing to the fans that his mentor's protective instincts were kicking in, even as he fought to keep his own emotions in check.
Joe smirked at the display. "Oh, look at that. Big brother Sandro coming to the rescue. How predictable."
Then, with a sudden shift in tone, Joe raised his championship belt high above his head. "You see this? This is what real dominance looks like. I'm the standard in FCW, the measuring stick. And if any of you think you have what it takes to step up to me, I dare you to try."
The crowd erupted, sensing a potential confrontation. Sandro took a step forward, his voice steady but filled with intensity as he raised his own microphone.
"Joe, you've got a lot of nerve coming out here and running your mouth," Sandro began, his voice cutting through the noise of the arena. "You talk about dominance, but all I see is a coward hiding behind cheap insults and a shiny belt."
The fans cheered wildly at Sandro's retort, rallying behind the fallen hero. Joe raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but Sandro wasn't finished.
"You want to talk about pressure? About what it takes to be a champion?" Sandro continued. "Let me remind you, Joe, I've fought through every obstacle that had obstructed and was thrown at me here in FCW. Tonight might not have gone our way, but that doesn't define us. And if you think for one second that your little mind games are going to scare us off, you've got another thing coming."
Kofi and Taylor nodded in agreement, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Sandro as the crowd roared in approval of what Sandro had just said.
Joe chuckled, shaking his head. "Big words, Sandro. But words don't win matches, actions do. So here's the deal. If you're so eager to prove yourself, why don't you step up and face me? One-on-one. No teammates, no excuses. Just you and me."
The crowd gasped at the challenge, and Sandro's eyes narrowed. The tension in the arena was electric as Sandro considered the offer. Before he could respond, Joe added one final taunt.
"But let me warn you, Sandro," Joe said, his smirk turning into a sneer. "When you lose, and you will lose, you'll have to admit to everyone, including these fans, that you're nothing more than second-best and at the same time, you will forfeit your right from challenging the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for the rest of your time here in FCW."
The challenge hung in the air like a storm cloud, and the fans began chanting, "Sandro! Sandro!" as he looked around the arena, taking in the energy of the crowd, and turned to look at Kofi and Taylor who nodded their head. Finally, he raised his microphone, his voice unwavering.
"You want me, Joe?" Sandro said, stepping closer to the ropes. "You've got me. But don't forget, you asked for this, and when I win against you, I will challenge you for that FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship and take it from you!"
The crowd exploded with cheers as Sandro dropped the microphone, signaling that the challenge was officially accepted. Joe smirked one last time before turning and walking backstage, his message delivered and his confidence unshaken.
Inside the ring, Taylor and Kofi rallied around Sandro, showing their support. The trio stood tall despite the earlier loss, their unity sending a powerful message to the fans and the locker room.
The commentary team speculated on the implications of Joe's challenge to Sandro, their voices were laden with speculation and tension as they dissected the night's events wondering if this could be the turning point for Dragon Boom, especially for Sandro as this is once of a lifetime opportunity for him and the stakes couldn't be higher.
_______________________
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