83. Holiday Ends

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Taylor smiled, her voice soft. "Well, it sounds like you're going to have a good friend by your side. That's important, especially in a career as demanding as yours." Sandro nodded, feeling the weight of that truth. Wrestling was a tough business, but having someone like Windham, someone he trusted, was going to make the challenges ahead more manageable.

After the call, they settled in for a relaxing evening of TV. The soft glow from the screen bathed the living room in a peaceful ambiance as they watched their favorite shows, laughing and commenting on the plotlines, enjoying the simple comfort of family time. These moments of normalcy were becoming rarer in Sandro's life as his career took off, and he cherished every second of it.

Once the evening wound down, Sandro headed upstairs to his room, the events of the day still replaying in his mind. Windham's big decision, his successful meeting at Nexum Core, and the warmth of the family dinner all blended together, leaving him with a deep sense of contentment.

After a quick shower, he climbed into bed, his muscles still relaxed from the hot water, and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

The next few days passed in a comforting rhythm. Sandro spent quality time with his parents, catching up on family news and reminiscing about old times. His dad showed him more of the inner workings of Nexum Core, and they spent hours discussing potential new ventures.

Each day, Sandro felt more confident in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the company's future. Jack's quiet confidence in him was empowering, and Sandro started to believe that he could really help shape the company's next big moves.

When he wasn't with his parents, Sandro made sure to keep up with his rigorous training schedule. He hit the gym daily, focusing on maintaining his peak physical condition. With his FCW commitments looming, he couldn't afford to let himself slack off, not even for a moment. Wrestling demanded both strength and stamina, and Sandro was determined to stay on top of his game.

The hours spent lifting weights, doing cardio, and working on his technique were grueling, but Sandro welcomed the challenge. Each drop of sweat reminded him of the goals he had set for himself—becoming a top-tier talent in FCW and, eventually, a world champion.

In between his workouts and family time, Sandro often found himself at his computer, checking the FCW forums for updates on the latest house shows and talent news. One afternoon, as he scrolled through the latest posts, a headline caught his eye: Taylor Rotunda's Debut Match—Defeats Byron Saxton!

Sandro's eyes widened in surprise and pride. Windham's younger brother, Taylor, had just made his debut in FCW and picked up a victory in his first match. He couldn't help but smile as he read through the recap of the match. Byron Saxton was no easy opponent, so Taylor's win was no small feat.

Without wasting any time, Sandro grabbed his phone and shot off a congratulatory text to Taylor.

"Hey man, just saw the news! Congrats on the debut and the win! Killing it already! Can't wait to step into the ring with you one day. Keep grinding—you're on your way."

He hit send and leaned back in his chair, grinning. Taylor had always looked up to his older brother Windham and to Sandro as well. Seeing him take this huge step in his wrestling career was both exciting and inspiring. Sandro had no doubt that Taylor, with the right guidance and determination, could become a force in the wrestling world.

As he reflected on Taylor's debut, Sandro couldn't help but think about how far they'd all come. Windham, Taylor, and he had grown up together, bonded by their shared love of wrestling. Now, they were all on the cusp of realizing their dreams. It felt surreal.

After several minutes, Sandro received a response from Taylor.

"Thanks, Sandro! Means a lot coming from you. Still can't believe I won my first match, but I've got a long way to go. I'm looking forward to that day we meet in the ring—you better not go easy on me!"

Sandro chuckled as he read the message, quickly typing back, "Trust me, I won't. But don't worry, you'll hold your own. Keep pushing yourself, man. We're all in this together."

After replying to Taylor's text, Sandro was about to put down his phone when it buzzed again, this time with a call from Steve, the head booker and owner of FCW. Normally, it was Dusty Rhodes who reached out to him regarding storylines or match directions, so Steve's call was unexpected. Intrigued, Sandro answered, wondering what could be important enough for Steve to call during his holiday.

"Hey, Sandro, sorry for disturbing you," Steve's voice came through the line, friendly but direct.

"No problem at all," Sandro replied. "What's up? Something I should know about?"

Steve hesitated for a moment, then got straight to the point. "Yeah, I wanted to pick your brain about something. We're thinking of expanding the roster a bit. You have a brilliant kind about this industry and provide a great outlook to us the old timers here in FCW, so I figured you might have some recommendations. Any wrestlers, male or female, you think we should keep an eye on? Maybe bring them in?"

The question caught Sandro off guard. It wasn't often that someone in his position was asked to give input on talent recruitment, especially by someone as experienced as Steve. But it was also a testament to how much trust Steve had in him, and Sandro took the question seriously.

His mind immediately went to two wrestlers who were on the back of his memory from his past life and had been making some waves in the indie scene—Tyler Black, who was currently in Ring of Honor (ROH), and Jon Moxley, a rising star who had been gaining a reputation for his hardcore style in various promotions.

"I've got a couple of names for you," Sandro said, after a brief pause to collect his thoughts. "The first one is Tyler Black. He's working with ROH right now, and he's phenomenal. He's got the in-ring talent, the look, and the charisma. I think he could be a huge asset to FCW, especially if we're looking for someone who can make an immediate impact."

Steve hummed thoughtfully. "Tyler Black… yeah, I've heard some buzz about him. You think he's ready for the big leagues?"

"Absolutely," Sandro said confidently. "He's got that 'it' factor. It's only a matter of time before he's a major player, and if we bring him in now, we can mold him into a top guy before anyone else snaps him up."

Steve seemed to like the idea, but he pushed for more. "Alright, I'll make a note of him. Anyone else you've got in mind?"

Sandro didn't hesitate. "Jon Moxley. He's been tearing it up on the indie scene, mostly known for his work in CZW and a few other promotions. He's got this wild, unpredictable energy—kind of a loose cannon. His promos are raw, and he's got a unique style that stands out from most of the guys we've got right now. He's a future star, no question."

Steve let out a low whistle. "Moxley, huh? I've heard he's a bit of a wild card and likes to do hardcore matches."

"He is," Sandro agreed. "But that's part of his appeal. He's different, and that's what's going to set him apart. If we can harness that intensity and refine it a bit, he could be something special."

Steve was silent for a moment, mulling over the suggestions. "I like it, Sandro. We need some fresh blood, and it sounds like these two could bring something new to the table. I'll have the team look into both of them, see if we can get in touch and work something out."

Sandro nodded, even though Steve couldn't see him. "Glad I could help. I think both Tyler and Moxley have what it takes to succeed in FCW. If you can get them, you won't regret it."

"Appreciate the input," Steve said. "I'll let you know how it goes. And hey, enjoy the rest of your break—you've earned it."

"Thanks, Steve," Sandro said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Looking forward to seeing what happens next."

As the call ended, Sandro sat back, feeling a rush of excitement. The idea that he might have a hand in shaping the future of FCW, even in a small way, filled him with pride.

He couldn't help but think about the potential of Tyler Black and Jon Moxley—two names that, if given the right platform, could redefine professional wrestling in the years to come.

Over the next few days, Sandro's routine continued. He spent time with his parents, keeping up with his workouts, and staying plugged into the wrestling world. The gym was a sanctuary for him, a place where he could clear his mind and focus purely on the physical grind. The call with Steve had reinvigorated him, making him even more determined to be at the top of his game when he returned to FCW.

One afternoon, while scrolling through his social media feed, he noticed more buzz surrounding Taylor's debut. Fans were excited about his performance, and there was growing speculation about how far he could go.

Sandro couldn't help but smile. The Rotunda family had deep roots in the wrestling business, and it was clear that Taylor was ready to carry on that legacy.

Sandro's excitement continued to build as he thought about the future. Not only was he becoming more involved in the business side of Nexum Core, but he was also helping to shape the future of FCW. Between his family, his career in wrestling, and the close relationships he had with Windham and Taylor, he felt like all the pieces of his life were falling into place.

One evening, as he sat at his desk, his mind wandered back to the conversations he'd had with Steve about Tyler Black and Jon Moxley. He wondered if Steve had made any moves yet, or if the wheels were still turning behind the scenes. Sandro decided to shoot Steve a quick message, asking for an update on the recruitment front.

It didn't take long for Steve to reply. "Still in talks with them. Things are looking good. Keep it under wraps for now, but we might have some big announcements coming soon."

Sandro felt a surge of excitement. If everything went according to plan, FCW would soon have two of the most talented wrestlers in the world joining its ranks. And Sandro couldn't wait to see how it would all play out.

Time passed by at such a fast speed that Sandro didn't realize his holiday had flown by. It felt like only yesterday he'd arrived home to spend time with his parents, reconnect with old friends, and recharge before diving back into the intense world of professional wrestling. But here he was, on his last day, mentally preparing to return to Tampa and the challenges awaiting him at FCW.

Knowing it was his final day with his family, Sandro decided to make the most of it. He wanted to soak in every moment, knowing these pockets of time with his parents were becoming rarer as his career accelerated.

The day unfolded with a quiet simplicity that Sandro appreciated—a final family breakfast where they reminisced about his childhood, old vacations, and their shared love for wrestling.

After breakfast, Jack took Sandro on one last tour of Nexum Core's facility, showing him the finer details of some upcoming renovation on the building.

It wasn't the first time Jack had done this over the break, but Sandro knew his dad took pride in sharing his world with him, seeing him not only as his son but also as a key part of the company's future.

Sandro's heart swelled with pride and responsibility as he walked through the facility, feeling like the torch was slowly but surely being passed to him. Though wrestling remained his passion, the idea of one day taking on a larger role at Nexum Core felt more tangible now.

The afternoon was spent in a slower, more relaxed manner. Taylor joined them for a casual family lunch, and the three of them sat outside in the backyard, watching the leaves sway in the light autumn breeze. It was peaceful, almost therapeutic, and Sandro savored every moment. He knew that once he returned to the intensity of wrestling, these moments would be hard to come by.

Later in the day, Sandro found himself having a deep conversation with his father. Jack, always the businessman, couldn't help but talk about Sandro's future—not just in wrestling, but with Nexum Core. Jack had been quietly observing his son's progress over the years, and now, with Sandro's career taking off in FCW, he saw potential beyond the ring.

"You know," Jack began, his tone serious but not heavy. "You're making a name for yourself in wrestling, and I couldn't be prouder. But I want you to remember that Nexum Core is part of your legacy too. There's no rush, but I see the same fire in you for business that I had when I was your age."

Sandro nodded, feeling the weight of his father's words. He hadn't fully grasped just how much Jack valued his input until now. "I know, Dad. And I've really enjoyed getting to know the ins and outs of the company these past few weeks. I'm not ready to step away from wrestling, but when the time comes… I'll be ready to contribute here in a bigger way."

Jack smiled, a rare and genuine expression of pride that Sandro didn't see often. "That's all I needed to hear, son."

The rest of the evening was spent quietly. As the sun set, casting long shadows across the yard, Sandro packed up his bags, readying himself for the flight back to Tampa the next day. He felt a mixture of emotions—excitement to return to the ring and continue his journey in FCW, but also a bit of melancholy knowing he was leaving his family and this brief return to normalcy behind.

The following morning, Sandro's parents were up early to see him off. Jack and Taylor accompanied him to the airport, the mood a little subdued but warm. Taylor, ever the supportive mother, hugged him tightly at the terminal. "We're so proud of you, Sandro. Just remember, whenever things get tough out there, you've always got us in your corner."

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 18 (2008)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: FCW

Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style

Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)

Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions