Chapter 163: 154. Becoming the Number 1 Contender For FCW Title
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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.
As their discussion wrapped up, Taylor and Windham appeared, both dressed casually but clearly eager for the night ahead. Windham looked around, soaking in the backstage environment.
"Man," Windham said, his voice tinged with awe, "this is surreal. Sandro, you're about to walk out there and headline the show. No pressure, right?"
Sandro laughed, shaking his head. "None at all. Just another day at the office."
Taylor clapped him on the back. "You've got this, man. We'll be out there cheering you on. And hey, don't forget, the whole locker room's rooting for you to shut Joe up."
Windham grinned. "I just got here, but even I can't stand the guy's arrogance. Make him eat his words."
Their encouragement bolstered Sandro's confidence as he made his final preparations. He closed his eyes for a moment, mentally running through the match and visualizing the crowd's reaction to each high spot. This was his night, and he was ready to seize it.
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As the show progressed, the fans' excitement grew with every match, but it was clear they were waiting for the main event. Chants for Sandro echoed through the arena, a testament to his growing popularity and the faith the fans had in him.
Backstage, Sandro stood near the curtain, pacing slightly as he waited for his cue. He could hear Joe's entrance music blasting through the speakers, the crowd booing the champion with fervor. Joe thrived on their disdain, raising the championship high as he slowly made his way to the ring.
Then it was Sandro's turn. His music hit, and the arena erupted in cheers. The ovation sent chills down his spine as he stepped through the curtain, his eyes locked on Joe. The story was already unfolding, and the fans were fully invested.
The crowd was at a fever pitch, chanting Sandro's name as he stepped into the ring, his eyes never leaving Joe's. Every move Sandro made was met with cheers, and the fans fed off his intensity.
Joe smirked arrogantly, raising the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship in one hand and taunting the crowd with the other. The referee positioned himself between the two competitors, making sure no premature blows were exchanged as Sandro entered the squared circle.
The ring announcer took center stage, the energy in the arena palpable as he introduced the stakes of the match.
"Introducing first, the reigning and defending FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion, Samoa Joe!"
Boos rained down from the crowd, with a few jeers of "Joe's gonna lose!" echoing through the stands. Joe soaked it in, dismissively waving off the crowd as he adjusted the title on his shoulder.
"And his opponent, the man fighting for a chance to challenge for the championship, Sandro Zhang!"
The arena erupted, a tidal wave of cheers nearly drowning out the announcer's voice. Sandro's stoic demeanor didn't falter, but inside, he felt the immense support from the fans fueling him.
"And now, the stipulations of the match," the announcer continued. "If Joe wins, Sandro forfeits his right to challenge for the Florida Heavyweight Championship as long as Joe is champion. However, if Sandro wins, he will earn the right to challenge Joe for the title at the next FCW Pay-Per-View!"
The fans roared louder at the announcement, the stakes adding an undeniable weight to the match. Sandro and Joe stepped forward, meeting in the center of the ring, the championship gleaming between them.
The referee held it high above his head for all to see before passing it to the timekeeper. He then checked both competitors, ensuring they were ready.
"Ready?" the referee asked Sandro, who gave a determined nod. Turning to Joe, the referee received a cocky smirk and a sarcastic thumbs-up. Satisfied, the referee stepped back and signaled for the bell.
The bell rang, and the atmosphere in the arena was electric. Joe extended his hand toward Sandro, a gesture of apparent sportsmanship. The crowd, familiar with Joe's antics, murmured in skepticism. Sandro hesitated for a moment, narrowing his eyes as he tried to gauge Joe's intentions.
Eventually, Sandro extended his hand as well, but just as their palms were about to meet, Joe pulled his hand back and slicked his hair arrogantly. The crowd erupted in boos, their disdain for the champion growing with each passing second.
Sandro's jaw tightened, and without a moment's hesitation, he lashed out with a sharp slap across Joe's face, the sound reverberating through the arena. The audience exploded in cheers, firmly behind Sandro's fiery response.
The commentary team seeing what happened was surprised, one of the commentators immediately addressed the situation, "Did you hear that slap? Sandro just made it clear he's not here to play Joe's games tonight!"
The other commentators also put in some words after his partner finished talking, "And he shouldn't! Joe thinks he can get under Sandro's skin, but Sandro just sent a loud and clear message with that slap."
Joe staggered slightly, more surprised than hurt. His smirk disappeared, replaced with a glare of pure intensity. They circled each other, the tension between them palpable. Finally, they locked up in a test of strength.
Joe, with his larger frame, quickly gained the upper hand, forcing Sandro backward into the ropes. The referee stepped in to break it up, and Joe reluctantly complied, raising his hands. But as Sandro stepped away, Joe delivered a cheap knee to his midsection, doubling him over.
Joe followed with a series of clubbing forearms to Sandro's back, each strike heavier than the last. He whipped Sandro into the corner and charged in with a crushing elbow, the impact reverberating through the ring. Sandro slumped slightly, but Joe wasn't done. He grabbed Sandro by the arm and hurled him across the ring, following up with a thunderous clothesline.
Commentator 1: "Joe is wasting no time asserting his dominance here. This is the experience edge he has over Sandro."
Commentator 2: "Absolutely, but Sandro's resilient. He's not going down without a fight."
Joe hauled Sandro to his feet and hoisted him up for a suplex, holding him in the air for a moment before slamming him down with authority. He immediately went for a pin.
Referee: "One... two—"
Sandro kicked out, and the crowd roared in approval. Joe smirked, as if to say, "Let's see how much more you can take." He dragged Sandro to his feet again, but this time, Sandro fought back with a series of forearms to Joe's face. The crowd cheered with each strike, rallying behind him.
Sandro found his rhythm and hit the ropes, charging at Joe with a flying forearm that knocked the champion off his feet. Sandro quickly followed up with a dropkick to keep Joe grounded. The crowd was on its feet now, sensing the shift in momentum.
Sandro went for a snap suplex, struggling slightly with Joe's weight, but he executed it perfectly. He climbed the turnbuckle, looking for a top-rope maneuver. The audience was buzzing in anticipation, but as Sandro launched himself for a shooting star press, Joe rolled out of the way at the last second.
Sandro crashed hard onto the mat, clutching his ribs and head as Joe got to his feet, shaking his head. The champion turned to the crowd, mockingly asking, "Is this your guy? Really?"
Commentator 1: "Joe playing to the crowd, but he might be underestimating Sandro's tenacity here."
Commentator 2: "Big mistake if he is. Sandro's the kind of guy who thrives under pressure."
Using Joe's leg as leverage, Sandro began to pull himself up. The crowd noticed first and began to cheer, causing Joe to turn around just in time to see Sandro fully standing.
Before Joe could react, Sandro slapped him again, the force of the hit leaving a red mark on Joe's cheek. The crowd went wild, and Joe's face twisted in anger.
"Enough of this!" Joe roared, grabbing Sandro by the arm and hurling him into the corner. He climbed the ropes, positioning Sandro for his devastating Muscle Buster. The crowd gasped as Joe executed the move flawlessly, slamming Sandro to the mat with brutal force.
Joe immediately went for the pin, hooking Sandro's leg.
Referee: "One... two…"
At the very last second, Sandro kicked out, and the arena erupted.
Commentator 1: "Sandro kicked out! He kicked out of the Muscle Buster! I can't believe it!"
Taz: "Nobody kicks out of that move! Sandro's showing the heart of a champion tonight!"
Joe sat up, disbelief etched across his face. He glared at the referee, holding up three fingers, but the referee shook his head, firmly signaling that it was only a two-count.
Frustrated, Joe got to his feet, signaling for another Muscle Buster. He dragged Sandro to the corner, but Sandro suddenly sprang to life, delivering a desperate series of elbows to Joe's head.
Commentator 1: "Sandro's fighting back! He's not done yet!"
Commentator 2: "This kid's got guts, and the fans love it!"
Sandro managed to slip out of Joe's grip and land on the mat. With Joe still stunned, Sandro hit the ropes and delivered a flying knee to Joe's jaw, sending the champion reeling.
The crowd was fully behind Sandro now, chanting his name as he climbed to the top rope again. This time, he connected with a picture-perfect torpedo dropkick, flattening Joe and going for the pin.
Referee: "One... two…"
Joe powered out, but the tide had clearly shifted. Sandro, feeding off the crowd's energy, got to his feet and signaled for his finisher. He waited for Joe to rise before delivering a spinning roundhouse kick that connected squarely with Joe's temple.
Sandro's spinning roundhouse kick had Joe staggering, the crowd roaring louder with every second. With Joe dazed, Sandro seized the opportunity, positioning himself behind the champion. Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Sandro wrapped his arms around Joe's waist and hoisted him up for a German suplex. The crowd exploded as Joe's massive frame slammed into the mat, Sandro bridging perfectly for a pin attempt.
Referee: "One… two…"
Joe kicked out with authority, but the fans were firmly behind Sandro now, their chants growing louder: "SAN-DRO! SAN-DRO!"
Sandro rolled to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He motioned to the fans, raising his hands to fire them up even more. The energy in the arena was electric. Sandro backed into the corner, crouching slightly, his eyes locked on Joe as he slowly stirred.
Commentator 1: "Sandro's calling for it! This could be the moment he's been waiting for!"
Commentator 2: "If he hits the Dragon Twist Cutter, this match is over!"
As Joe finally got to his feet, Sandro charged at him with precision. Leaping into the air, he grabbed Joe's head and twisted mid-motion, planting him into the mat with his signature Dragon Twist Cutter. The impact was deafening, and the crowd jumped to their feet, cheering wildly.
Sandro didn't stop there. He wasn't leaving anything to chance. With Joe down, Sandro hauled him back to a standing position, albeit briefly. A swift kick to Joe's knees dropped the champion onto one knee, setting him up for what was next. Sandro sprinted to the ropes, using the momentum to deliver a devastating variant of the shining wizard, his patented finisher the Dragon's Shot.
The knee strike connected flush with Joe's jaw, sending him crumpling to the mat. Sandro, visibly exhausted but determined, crawled over to Joe, draping his arm across the champion's chest.
Referee: "One… two… three!"
The bell rang, and the crowd erupted into a deafening roar.
Ring Announcer: "Here is your winner, and the number one contender for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, Sandro Zhang!"
The referee raised Sandro's hand in victory, the emotion on his face evident as he soaked in the moment. Fans were on their feet, chanting his name in unison: "SAN-DRO! SAN-DRO!"
Commentator 1: "What a match! Sandro has done it! He's earned his shot at the Florida Heavyweight Championship!"
Commentator 2: "You've got to give credit to Sandro. He showed heart, resilience, and determination tonight. Joe threw everything at him, and Sandro still came out on top!"
Joe rolled out of the ring, clutching his title to his chest as he leaned against the barricade, glaring daggers at Sandro. His frustration was clear, his lips moving as he muttered threats under his breath.
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.
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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