106. Having Stake At WWE

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Vince glanced at his son, then at Stephanie, whose expression was equally encouraging. Finally, he turned back to Jack and nodded. "Alright, let's proceed with the proposal. We'll draft the terms, and I'll work with Stephanie and Shane to ensure we're aligned at every step. But let's be clear—I want WWE's legacy to be at the forefront of this deal."

Jack let out a calm, reassuring smile after Vince's last words. "Mr. McMahon, we respect WWE's legacy and the principles that brought it to where it is today. Any suggestions we make are only ideas to support your vision; the final decisions will always be yours."

Jack's words seemed to satisfy Vince, as if they had struck a chord with the part of him that fought tooth and nail to build WWE from the ground up. The pressure he'd felt moments ago eased, replaced by the confidence that he would still have the final say over the direction of his empire.

A faint smile crossed Vince's face as he leaned back, nostalgia briefly glinting in his eyes. "You know, Jack," he began, "your approach reminds me of the early days of the Attitude Era. Back then, we were struggling against WCW, and I had to open up my creative process. I let my team throw out ideas, some wild, some unconventional, and then I'd step in to make the final call. That approach saved us back then. It might just be what we need now."

Jack nodded, listening intently as Vince reminisced about WWE's glory days, aware that this glimpse into Vince's past decisions and principles would guide their future partnership. But then, they turned to discuss one of the more delicate points of the deal: shares.

Jack brought up the need for Nexum Core to acquire a significant enough stake to justify the investment. Vince, ever the businessman, acknowledged that such a partnership would require him to part with a meaningful share but wasn't eager to go beyond what he deemed necessary.

The value of each share was also a sticking point—while Vince knew WWE's stock was relatively undervalued in the market, he believed Nexum Core would see WWE's true worth and price accordingly.

Their discussion evolved into a tense negotiation. Jack proposed an amount, and Vince countered, making it clear he wasn't going to let go of WWE shares without a premium.

Both men were seasoned negotiators, each trying to shape the deal to best serve their interests, but they both knew the stakes were high, and compromise would be necessary. After over an hour of back-and-forth bargaining, they reached a satisfying middle ground.

Jack agreed to pay slightly above the current market value for WWE's shares—around $500 million total—but in return, Vince would part with a larger share than initially proposed. By the end of the negotiation, both sides agreed that Nexum Core would acquire 14.5% of WWE's stock.

The tension in the room slowly dissipated, replaced by the realization that they'd crossed a significant milestone. Vince signaled to one of his secretaries to begin drafting the agreement. As they waited, the room buzzed with a new energy, the shared excitement of embarking on this new chapter for WWE.

Within minutes, the secretary returned with the draft, and Jack and Vince reviewed it meticulously, line by line, each ensuring that their interests and intentions were accurately reflected. When they were finally satisfied, they both signed on the dotted line: Vince McMahon as Party A, Jack representing Nexum Core as Party B.

With the signatures in place, the agreement went into effect immediately. WWE was officially entering a new era, one shaped by a balance between its founder's vision and Nexum Core's resources. Vince looked at the document, feeling a mix of pride, relief, and a touch of apprehension. This partnership could be the lifeline WWE needed, the next chapter in its legacy.

As Jack and his team prepared to leave, he approached Vince, extending a hand. "Thank you, Vince. We'll make WWE stronger together, and you have my commitment that we'll honor everything WWE stands for."

Vince shook Jack's hand, his grip firm. "Just remember, Jack—WWE is like no other business. We tell stories, create heroes, and inspire people worldwide. That's something you can't put a price on."

Jack nodded, understanding the weight of Vince's words. He could feel the depth of Vince's connection to WWE, and he respected it. This was more than a business deal; it was a commitment to support a legacy and take it to new heights.

As Jack and his team left the conference room, Stephanie and Shane lingered, looking at their father with expressions that were equal parts admiration and relief. Vince caught their gaze and, with a slight nod, acknowledged the significance of the step he had just taken.

They were no longer just a family-run business facing financial challenges—they had a formidable partner with resources and expertise that could elevate WWE to a new level.

As Jack stepped outside WWE Headquarters with the signed document safely tucked in his briefcase, he couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. Securing the deal with WWE in just one hour was a testament to how crucial this partnership was for the McMahon family and the company.

Jack's instincts told him WWE's financial strain had made Vince more open than he might otherwise have been. As his car pulled up, he took out his iPhone and sent a quick message to Sandro, knowing his son would be thrilled by the news.

The text read: Deal's done. We're officially part owners of WWE—14.5% stake. You've got backing now for the creative freedom you've always envisioned when you joined WWE.

Miles away at FCW Headquarters, Sandro was in the locker room, gearing up for his match on the weekly Monday night show. The notification from his phone caught his attention, and as he opened his father's message, a surge of excitement washed over him.

His father had actually done it as he was now, effectively, part of the WWE family, with the influence to push for positive changes in creative directions.

Sandro's mind raced. He'd always been a fan of innovative storytelling, knowing firsthand how powerful wrestling narratives could be when done right.

Now, with his father's shareholding in WWE, he envisioned a future where he could advocate for his creative ideas and help his friends and colleagues who often struggled under restrictive or damaging gimmicks.

There was now a real opportunity to ensure wrestlers were presented in ways that would resonate with fans and bolster their careers, not hinder them. A grin spread across his face as he slipped on his gear, feeling more determined than ever.

Back in Stamford, as Jack and his team made their way to the car, Jack considered the larger implications of this acquisition. Nexum Core's investment in WWE was more than just a strategic financial move.

For him, It was also a protective measure, one that ensured Sandro's future in WWE would be safeguarded from the kind of reckless or arbitrary decisions Vince occasionally made.

Jack understood the industry well enough to know that talent often faced an uphill battle if their storylines or characters or even the talent themselves weren't favored by Vince or his team in WWE.

With Nexum Core holding a significant stake, Jack felt confident he could leverage that influence if he ever needed to support Sandro or any wrestler whose potential might otherwise be undermined.

He trusted his son's understanding of the business and his passion for wrestling; with the right guidance and support, Sandro could be instrumental in shaping WWE's next generation of stars which would bring large profits as well.

As the car cruised back toward his office, Jack pulled out his laptop and began drafting ideas. His first goal was to create a comprehensive proposal for how Nexum Core could work with WWE's creative and digital teams to boost fan engagement and global reach.

His mind buzzed with possibilities: fan-voted match outcomes, real-time storyline integration on social media, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content for die-hard fans. He could already envision how these enhancements would bring WWE closer to its audience, creating an immersive experience like never before.

Back at FCW, Sandro and Kofi were holding their tag team titles on their shoulder while chatting with Taylor, they were shooting a live segment, a mix of reality and scripted dialogue meant to showcase their mentor-mentee partnership as they offer insight into the training process.

Sandro and Kofi, as Taylor's mentors, were giving Taylor tips on what he could improve. They discussed everything from his moveset to his promo delivery, the latter being crucial to gaining crowd engagement and solidifying his character.

Taylor, grateful for the advice, listened intently, nodding along as Sandro emphasized the importance of connecting with the fans. "They're here to see someone they can believe in," Sandro told him, pointing to the small group of fans sitting close to the ring. "When you step out there, give them a reason to cheer or to boo. Just make them feel something."

Suddenly, Taylor's kayfabe rival, Austin Creed, appeared in the frame, cutting into the conversation with a smug look on his face. The fans watching from the titantron and at home immediately reacted with a wave of boos as Creed made his entrance, striding over with an arrogant swagger.

Creed had a reputation for being cunning, often using underhanded tactics to get the upper hand, and his rivalry with Taylor was quickly becoming one of the hottest stories in FCW after they had their first encounter until now.

With a mocking grin, Creed taunted Taylor, sneering, "What's this? I see the loser here is holding court, getting some lessons from the champions because he can't handle himself in the ring?"

Creed's tone was dripping with sarcasm as he looked Taylor up and down, then turned to Sandro and Kofi with a raised eyebrow. "Come on, guys. Is this really what it's come to? Hand-holding for the future losers of FCW?"

The tension in the room spiked as Taylor's fists clenched, but Sandro put a hand on his shoulder, signaling for him to stay calm. Sandro stepped forward, looking Creed in the eyes, and the crowd erupted with anticipation.

"Creed," he said coolly, "the only thing Taylor's learning here is how to do it right, you know the way you never did." The crowd cheered as Sandro held his ground, and Creed's smirk faltered momentarily, a flash of annoyance in his expression.

But Creed wasn't one to back down easily. His face twisted with mock pity as he leaned closer to Taylor. "You know, the only reason you're here is because they feel sorry for you. Face it Taylor, you're just not cut out for this," he sneered.

"You lost to me because that's all you know how to do: lose." Creed's words stung, and the audience's boos grew louder, fueling the moment. Creed had struck a nerve, and Taylor's jaw tightened as he fought to hold back his anger.

Seeing an opportunity to stand up for his friend while keeping the storyline alive, Kofi stepped in, holding up his tag team title and addressing Creed. "You talk a big game, Creed, but we all know what you're really afraid of," he said, his voice steady. "You see, it's easy to tear others down, but it's a whole other thing to put in the work." Kofi's words hit their mark, and Creed shifted uncomfortably, clearly not expecting Kofi to call him out so directly.

Creed, looking flustered, took a step back but forced a laugh to mask his irritation. "Fine, fine. Enjoy your little pep talk," he said, his voice tinged with mock amusement. "But we both know that sooner or later, I'm going to prove that Taylor here isn't even in my league."

Sandro, seizing the moment to turn the tables, pointed a finger at Creed. "You know what, Creed? Since you're so confident, why don't you step in the ring with Taylor next week? No excuses, no cheap shots. Just a straight-up match with the two of us in his corner, making sure you don't do anything underhanded. Let's see if you can back up all that talk."

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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