Becoming A Wrestler

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But amidst the grind of preparation, Sandro received a call that would inject a personal and emotional layer into his already intense week. It was Windham, the first wrestler that he met in his life, well soon to be as he hadn't become the wrestler he would become in the future. The two had shared countless dreams about professional wrestling, and hearing Windham's voice now brought a wave of nostalgia and excitement.

"Sandro," Windham began, his voice brimming with anticipation, "I've got some big news. My family has finally approved it, I'm dropping out, and I'll be in Tampa either this Sunday or next Monday. My dad already contacted Dusty, and he's agreed to put me on a training contract at FCW!"

Sandro froze, the weight of the moment sinking in. "Wait, you're serious? You're actually coming here to train as a wrestler?"

Windham laughed. "Dead serious, man. You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun without me, did you?"

A wide grin spread across Sandro's face. "That's amazing, Windham! I can't believe it. It's going to be incredible having you here. We're going to tear it up, just like we always talked about."

The two friends chatted excitedly, exchanging thoughts about what Windham's journey might look like and reminiscing about the countless wrestling matches they had discussed about. But just as Sandro was getting into the conversation, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Sandro!" Taylor's voice rang out as he entered the training facility. He noticed Sandro on the phone and immediately picked up on the conversation. "Is that Windham? My brother?"

Caught off guard, Sandro quickly turned to Taylor. "Uh, yeah. It's him. He just told me he's coming to FCW to start his training."

Taylor's jaw dropped. "You're kidding me. He's finally doing it? Why didn't he tell me first?"

Windham, hearing the commotion through the phone, laughed. "Taylor, calm down. I was going to tell you soon. I just wanted to surprise you!"

Taylor grabbed the phone from Sandro's hand, his excitement bubbling over. "Windham, you're really coming? Man, this is going to be insane. I've been waiting for this day forever!"

The brothers exchanged a flurry of words, their enthusiasm infectious. Sandro watched the interaction with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth and camaraderie.

Having Windham join FCW wasn't just a personal win, it felt like another piece of their shared puzzle falling into place, and opening up a new path of a storyline for Taylor as well.

When Taylor finally handed the phone back to Sandro, Windham added one last thing. "Sandro, I'll see you soon. And don't forget man, next week's match is your moment. Make it count and maybe when I meet you, I want to meet the soon to be challenger for the FCW Florida Heavyweight title."

"You bet I will," Sandro replied, his voice steady with determination.

The news of Windham's impending arrival lit a fire within Sandro. It was as though an additional piece of his support system was finally falling into place. The grind of training felt lighter, his focus became even sharper.

But the emotional high also brought new challenges, as Sandro found himself reflecting on the weight of expectations, not just from the fans or his mentors, but from his friends and family, too.

During one late-night training session, Kofi and Taylor joined Sandro in the ring to run drills. As they worked through sequences, Taylor couldn't help but bring up Windham again.

"So," Taylor began, wiping sweat from his brow, "what's it going to be like having my big brother here? Think he'll be able to keep up with you? Since you know, you trained professionally first."

Sandro chuckled. "If Windham's anything like you which he is or even more, he'll bring his A-game. Honestly, I'm just excited to see him finally taking the step to his true dream. He's got the passion, and that's half the battle."

Kofi, leaning casually against the ropes, wiped the sweat from his face as he chimed in, "I can't wait to meet this Windham guy. You've been talking about him since the day you got here, Sandro. Plus, knowing he's Taylor's older brother and the eldest son of IRS and Blackjack Mulligan's grandson? That's another wrestling royalty right there alongside Taylor."

Sandro and Taylor exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. Taylor, grinning ear to ear, pointed at Kofi. "Yeah, yeah, he's got the family credentials just like me, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Don't forget, I'm his senior in this industry. I debuted before him, which means I'm the one who gets to show him the ropes. He's not outshining me, not on my watch."

The playful banter earned a round of hearty laughs, even from Kofi. "Well," Kofi replied, smirking, "if Windham's anything like you, Taylor, I'm sure he'll be full of surprises. But I'll say this, he's going to have one hell of a mentor in Sandro. That's for sure."

Sandro, shaking his head at their antics, grinned. "Windham doesn't need a mentor. He's got passion, and that's going to carry him far. But I'll make sure he doesn't embarrass himself, after all at the end of the day, I've got a reputation to uphold, too."

It was early Monday morning when Sandro's phone buzzed with a text. The sender was none other than Mike Rotunda, aka IRS, Windham and Taylor's father.

"Windham's on his flight heading to Tampa now. Could you and Taylor pick him up from the airport? I know you're busy with tonight's show, but I'd appreciate it. Thanks, kid."

Sandro didn't hesitate to respond IRS message, "Of course, Mr. Rotunda. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of him. Looking forward to seeing him again."

After texting Taylor to let him know about their mission, Sandro grabbed his car keys and swung by Taylor's apartment to pick him up, and from there headed to the airport.

"You think he's nervous?" Taylor asked as they hit the highway.

"Nah," Sandro replied with a grin. "If I know Windham, he's probably already thinking about his first match. The guy's a natural dreamer. But let's not overwhelm him right away. This is a big step, and he'll need some time to adjust."

Taylor nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, you're right. But still, it's surreal. My brother, finally arrived here in FCW. Man, this is going to be something."

The airport was bustling with early morning travelers as Sandro and Taylor stood near the arrivals area, scanning the crowd for Windham.

"There he is!" Taylor shouted, pointing toward a big figure pushing a luggage cart.

Windham spotted them instantly, his face lighting up as he waved. "Sandro! Taylor!"

The three collided in a whirlwind of excitement, exchanging handshakes, hugs, and rapid-fire greetings. For Sandro and Windham, it was particularly special, nearly a year had passed since they had last seen each other in person.

"It's been too long," Sandro said, clapping Windham on the back. "Welcome to Tampa, future superstar."

Windham laughed, his expression a mix of nerves and excitement. "Thanks, man. It feels unreal. And Taylor, I see you've been keeping up with Sandro and keeping him in line."

Taylor smirked. "Someone has to. But don't get too comfortable, Windham. I'm still the senior wrestler here, so you better listen to my advice."

"Yeah, yeah," Windham teased, rolling his eyes. "We'll see how long that lasts."

After a few more minutes of joking around, they loaded Windham's luggage into Sandro's car and headed toward the FCW Headquarters.

The FCW Headquarters was buzzing with activity as Sandro, Taylor, and Windham walked in. Trainers and wrestlers moved between the rings, weights clanked in the gym, and the hum of creativity filled the air.

Windham's eyes widened as he took it all in. "So this is where it all happens, huh?"

"Yep," Sandro said, leading the way. "This is where dreams are made or broken. But don't worry, Dusty and Steve are good people. They'll take care of you. Hey, there's me and Taylor as well, there's also a group of our friends who can't wait to meet you as well."

They made their way to the office, where Dusty and Steve were waiting for them. Dusty, ever the charismatic figure, greeted them with his signature warmth.

"Well, if it ain't the next generation of wrestling greatness," Dusty said, shaking Windham's hand firmly. "Welcome to FCW, kid. I've heard a lot about you from your dad, Taylor, and Sandro as well who wouldn't stop talking about how excited he was to have you on board."

Windham smiled nervously. "Thanks, Mr. Rhodes. It's an honor to be here. I promise I'll give it everything I've got."

Steve nodded, handing Windham a clipboard with his training contract. "We'll start you off with the basics, just like everyone else. But with your pedigree, we've got high expectations. No pressure, though."

Windham glanced at the contract, his hand hovering over the pen for a moment before signing his name with determination.

"Welcome to FCW," Steve said, patting him on the back.

Dusty turned to Sandro, his expression shifting to one of pride. "And as for you, Sandro, you've got a big night ahead. Remember what we talked about. Make those fans believe in you."

"I will, Dusty," Sandro replied, his voice filled with quiet confidence.

After wrapping up the formalities, the trio left Dusty's office and gave Windham a quick tour of the facility. They introduced him to a few trainers and wrestlers along the way, all of whom welcomed him with a mix of curiosity and respect.

"Man," Windham said as they walked through the gym, "this place is everything I imagined and more. I can't wait to get started."

"You'll fit right in," Taylor assured him. "But remember, I'm still your senior here. Don't forget who's the boss."

Windham laughed. "We'll see about that, let us see how long will that last."

As they wrapped up the tour, Sandro checked his watch. "All right, guys, I've got to get ready for tonight's show. But Windham, if you need anything, just let me know."

"Thanks, man," Windham said sincerely. "And good luck tonight. I'll be watching."

As the late afternoon bled into the evening, the FCW Headquarters buzzed with anticipation. The energy was palpable as fans began filling the arena for the FCW Live Monday Program, eager for the night's main event. Conversations rippled through the crowd about the stakes of the match, Sandro versus Joe, the reigning FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion.

It wasn't just any match as it was a defining moment for both men. Joe had set the terms last week after Sandro and Kofi lost the tag team titles to Tyler and Moxley. If Sandro lost tonight, it proves that Joe was right that Sndro was just a second best wrestler and he'd forfeit his right to ever challenge for the title again. But if he won, he'd not only silence Joe but also carve a direct path to the championship.

Backstage, the atmosphere was equally electric but tinged with a quieter intensity. Sandro was already in his ring gear, his nerves masked by a calm focus. He adjusted his gloves as he stood across from Joe, who leaned casually against a crate, his title slung over his left shoulder. Despite the tension of their storyline, the two shared a mutual respect, and it showed in the way they meticulously discussed the match ahead.

"Let's make this a classic," Joe said, his voice low but firm. "We've got to give them something to remember. Your comeback needs to hit hard, and I'll make sure they buy it."

Sandro nodded, appreciating Joe's professionalism. "Absolutely. We need to build the suspense. Let's push the narrative that I'm barely holding on, but when I do finally turn it around, it's got to feel like a miracle."

Joe smirked. "Got it. And for the finish… we'll make it clean. No shady tactics. You pin me fair and square, but make them believe you've earned it every step of the way."

They walked through the sequence again, fine-tuning the pacing and key moments. Sandro's mind raced with the possibilities, but he trusted Joe's instincts. He knew this match wasn't just about the title or his personal redemption, it was about storytelling. The fans needed to feel every ounce of his struggle and triumph.

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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