Chapter 186: 175. Party & Increasing Attention
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As the three of them talked, Sandro's phone buzzed incessantly with notifications. Messages from his father, mother, and fellow wrestlers poured in, each one offering congratulations and words of encouragement. Sandro scrolled through some of the messages, his smile growing wider with each one.
As Sandro scrolled through the messages on his phone, the weight of the night began to sink in. Among the many congratulatory texts, two stood out, messages from his parents, Jack and Taylor.
His father's message read, "Congratulations, son! I'm so proud of you. I was on the edge of my seat the entire match. Please let us know if you're okay, your mom and I were worried about how brutal that match got. We love you."
His mother's text followed, "You did it, Sandro! We're so proud. Please make sure you're okay. That dive through the table scared me to death. Promise me you'll let the medical team take care of you tonight. Love you so much, my champion!"
Sandro's heart swelled as he read their words. He quickly typed back, "Thank you both. I'm okay, I promise. The medical team will check on me soon, and I'll let you know what they say. Love you both so much. Tonight was for you two."
Next, he moved to messages from friends and acquaintances. College buddies, old teammates, and even a few people he hadn't spoken to for quite some time reached out to congratulate him.
"Bro, that match was insane! You're the champ now. Let's celebrate soon!"
"Sandro, you made history tonight. Couldn't be happier for you."
He replied to each one, gratitude filling his heart, but before he could finish, a knock at the door interrupted him.
The door creaked open, and in stepped April and Nicole, followed by the FCW medical team. April and Nicole, his girlfriends, had carefully maintained their cover as close friends in public, and tonight was no exception. Their expressions were a mix of relief and mild exasperation as they entered.
"Finally," Nicole said, crossing her arms. "Do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you? You were supposed to go straight to the medics after the match!"
April chimed in, her tone gentle but firm. "You scared us with how rough that match was, Sandro. Are you okay?"
Their concern was genuine, but their cover was seamless. They treated him just as any close friends would in front of Kofi and Taylor. What they didn't realize was that Kofi had already figured out their relationship weeks ago. He'd connected the dots through subtle clues and, after some teasing, Sandro had admitted the truth to him.
Sandro looked up at them, sheepish. "I'm fine, really. Just… needed a moment to let it all sink in."
Nicole raised an eyebrow at his words. "That's great and all, but you're getting checked out now."
The medical team nodded in agreement, one of them speaking up. "We've been waiting to treat you. Let's take a look."
Reluctantly, Sandro sat still as they began to assess his injuries. He winced occasionally as they pressed on sore spots and cleaned up minor cuts and abrasions. Nicole handed him a bottle of water, and April lightly held his hand, a gesture she played off as friendly support.
Kofi leaned against the wall, watching the scene with a knowing smirk. "You two are terrible at hiding it, you know," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Sandro to hear.
Hearing what Kofi had just said, Sandro shot him a look, but Kofi just grinned wider and did a zipper motion over his mouth.
"Alright, champ," one of the medics said after finishing their examination. "You've got some bruised ribs and a few nasty scrapes, but nothing major. You're lucky, though. That table spot especially could've ended badly for your body."
"Thanks, doc," Sandro replied, genuinely grateful. He knew that he should listen to them, as even though the gifts he received from gods allowed him to not feel pain, and also allowed his body to train and adapt faster, it didn't stop his body from being hurt.
As the medical team packed up and left, April and Nicole lingered, their gazes softening now that the professional act was no longer necessary.
"You really scared us," April said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nicole nodded. "That match… it was incredible, but watching you take those hits was hard."
Sandro reached for both of their hands, squeezing gently. "I'm okay, I promise. And seeing you both here makes it all worth it."
Kofi cleared his throat loudly, drawing their attention. "Alright, lovebirds, save the mushy stuff for later. We've got a new champ to celebrate." April and Nicole immediately shoot Kofi a questioning glare, while Sandro does a hard glare at Kofi who tries to stop himself from laughing.
Taylor on the other hand laughed when he heard what Kofi said, thinking of it as a joke and throwing an arm around Sandro's shoulder. "He's right. You've got the whole locker room waiting to raise a glass for you. Let's not keep them waiting."
April and Nicole exchanged a look, their silent agreement clear. "We'll join you soon," Nicole said. "Go ahead and celebrate, Sandro. You've earned it."
Sandro hesitated but nodded. "I'll see you both later, okay?"
As he stepped out with Kofi and Taylor, the noise from the celebration down the hall grew louder. Wrestlers, staff, and even crew members were gathered, the energy buzzing with excitement.
When Sandro entered the room, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Drinks were raised, toasts were made, and the atmosphere was one of pure joy.
Dusty at this time approached him again, this time with a glass in hand. "Here's to you, Sandro," Dusty said. "You're the kind of talent that makes this business worth every second. Don't forget where you came from, and don't let anyone tell you you don't deserve that belt."
The words hit Sandro hard, and he nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Dusty. I'll never forget."
The celebration continued late into the night, with Sandro at the center of it all. Despite the debates online and the exhaustion coursing through his body, he felt a profound sense of accomplishment.
As the party wound down, Sandro slipped away for a moment of quiet reflection. He sat alone in the hallway, the championship belt resting on his lap. The events of the night replayed in his mind, each moment feeling more surreal than the last.
April and Nicole found him there, sitting quietly. They joined him, one on each side, leaning their heads against his shoulders.
"You did it," April said softly.
Nicole smiled. "We're so proud of you."
Sandro smiled, his heart full. "I couldn't have done it without you both." As the three sat together in the quiet hallway, the weight of the championship felt a little lighter.
As the celebration at the FCW Headquarters finally winded down, Sandro made his way back to his apartment. His body was riddled with scars and bruises from the grueling battle with Joe, but his spirit was soaring as he could feel the pain. April had insisted on driving, with Nicole firmly backing her up, leaving no room for Sandro to argue.
"You're not getting behind the wheel after that match," April said as she slid into the driver's seat. "You need to rest."
Nicole nodded in agreement. "Let us take care of you for once, champ."
Sandro chuckled, the movement made the scar on his forehead twitch. "Alright, alright. You two win."
The drive was quiet but comfortable, with April and Nicole occasionally glancing at Sandro to make sure he was okay. When they arrived at his apartment, Sandro groaned as he stepped out of the car, feeling tired after his match with Joe.
"Straight to the shower," April instructed as they entered. "You need to clean up and relax those muscles."
Sandro gave a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."
As he disappeared into the bathroom, April and Nicole made themselves comfortable in his living room. Spotting the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship belt on the table, they couldn't resist picking it up and taking turns posing with it.
"This thing is heavier than it looks," Nicole said, hoisting the belt over her shoulder.
April laughed, snapping a picture of Nicole striking a triumphant pose. "You look like a natural, champ."
"Move over," April said, taking the belt and throwing it over her shoulder. She mimicked Sandro's signature pose, grinning from ear to ear as Nicole took pictures.
By the time Sandro emerged from the bathroom, dressed in clean clothes and looking much more refreshed, he found the two of them mid-photoshoot. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and laughed.
"Having fun, ladies?" he teased.
April and Nicole froze for a moment before bursting into laughter themselves. "We couldn't resist!" April admitted.
Sandro shook his head, still smiling. "Alright, hand it over. Let the real champ show you how it's done."
He joined them in their antics, taking turns snapping pictures and laughing at each other's exaggerated poses. The tension and exhaustion from earlier melted away in the warmth of their shared joy.
Eventually, the three of them settled down in Sandro's bedroom. The bed wasn't particularly large, but they didn't mind squeezing in together. April and Nicole each curled up on either side of Sandro, their presence a comforting reminder of the support system he had outside the ring.
As Sandro drifted off to sleep, he had no idea that far away in Stamford, Connecticut, his match was being dissected by some of the most powerful people in the wrestling industry.
In WWE Headquarters, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and Triple H sat in a private screening room, having just finished watching the FCW pay per view. Vince was unusually quiet, his fingers steepled as he leaned back in his chair.
Finally, he spoke. "That… was incredible."
Stephanie nodded, a proud smile on her face. "It was a fantastic main event. Sandro and Joe delivered in every way. The storytelling, the pacing, the emotion, it was all there. Who would expect that he would be Jack's son, not only having the brain but also a great talent in wrestling, I was very surprised when meeting him at the party last time."
Triple H leaned forward, his eyes still fixed on the paused image of Sandro holding the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship aloft. "You're right Steph, Sandro's got something special. He's got the look, the charisma, and clearly, the in ring ability. Matches like that don't come along every day."
Vince stroked his chin thoughtfully. "He's main roster material. That kind of performance should be seen on the biggest stage."
Stephanie immediately turned to her father, her tone calm but firm. "Dad, we can't bring him up yet. Sandro just became the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion. He needs time to establish himself as the face of the brand. Rushing him to Raw or SmackDown now would do more harm than good."
Triple H nodded in agreement. "Steph's right. Sandro's got all the tools, but he needs to build his legacy in FCW first. Let him have a dominant run with the title, and when the time is right, we can debut him on the main roster with a huge push. The anticipation will drive viewership."
Vince considered their arguments, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But keep an eye on him. When the time comes, I want his debut to be unforgettable."
Stephanie smiled, relieved. "It will be. He's already proving he's a star and a future big attraction for us." As they left the screening room, Vince couldn't help but glance back at the screen one last time. Sandro's image, battered but victorious holding his title high, lingered in his mind.
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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