49. Next Week Match Discussion

As they hobbled up the ramp together, the fans continued to cheer, showing their unwavering support. This was just the beginning of their war with The Empire, and both Sandro and Kofi knew that when the time came, they would be ready to take the fight to their enemies even if they had to sacrifice their bodies in the process of the fight.

Returning backstage, the atmosphere was a mixture of adrenaline and relief. Sandro and Kofi, despite their visible bruises and weariness, were far from defeated. Their pain was real, but they had played their part to perfection, and the backstage crowd greeted them with resounding cheers. The arena lights might have dimmed, but their spirits were anything but.

Nick Nemeth and Shawn Spears, who had been their opponents earlier, were among the first to approach them. Despite the intense match they went through, Nick and Spears were also friends, and their camaraderie was evident as they clapped Sandro and Kofi on their backs.

Nick, in particular, had been part of Sandro's circle of friends for some time, and his grin was wide and genuine for the perfect show they had displayed.

"That was one hell of a match," Nick said, his tone both congratulatory and admiring. "You guys really brought it tonight."

Sandro managed a tired but appreciative smile. "Thanks, Nick. It means a lot coming from you."

Spears, still slightly bruised from the match but with a smile that suggested mutual respect, added, "You two have got something special going on. I hope Stu and Drew know what they're in for."

The congratulatory atmosphere continued as other wrestlers and backstage crew members came forward. The buzz of excitement and support was palpable, and it was clear that everyone saw Dragon Boom's performance as a turning point. It was a sign that Sandro and Kofi were not just contenders but serious challengers for the FCW Tag Team Championship.

Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn were among those who approached the duo, their faces reflecting a mix of pride and strategic foresight. Dusty looked at Sandro and Kofi with a satisfied grin.

"You two did more than just impress out there," Dusty began, his Southern drawl carrying the weight of his words. "You gave it your all, and it showed. The Empire's attack? Just fuel for the fire. You've got the fans behind you, and that's half the battle."

Steve, always more reserved, nodded in agreement. "The way you two handled yourselves, even with The Empire's ambush, was spot on. You've set the stage for a tremendous feud. If you can keep this momentum going, the tag titles will be within reach."

Dusty leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Now, here's the thing. The crowd's buzzing, and you've shown them that you're ready for the big leagues. If you keep delivering like that, there's no telling where you'll end up. Just remember, it's not always about the pain you endure but the fire you bring to overcome it."

Sandro smiled, absorbing the weight of Dusty's words. "Thank you, Dusty. We'll do our best to keep this going. We want to show everyone that we're not just here to compete—we're here to win."

Before Dusty could respond further, Stu Sanders and Drew McIntyre, the reigning FCW Tag Team Champions, entered the backstage area. They carried their gold belts with a mixture of pride and menace, their expressions reflecting their status as the top heels in the company. Despite their earlier antagonism, they approached Sandro and Kofi with a wide smile on their face.

"Congratulations, mates," Drew said, his voice carrying feelings of satisfaction. "You put on a hell of a match out there. You've got the fans behind you, and that's no small feat."

Stu nodded, adding, "You've got good chemistry. It's clear you've been working hard. We'll see if that's enough to take these titles from us, you know something that in the end will be divided by Dusty and Steve who were the best team."

Kofi, though exhausted, managed to return Stu and Drew's words with a wide grin on his face. "Thanks, Drew. Stu. We're looking forward to the challenge. We know it won't be easy, but we're ready to prove ourselves."

With the pleasantries exchanged, The Empire walked away, their conversation fading as they headed toward their locker room. Sandro and Kofi, still processing the whirlwind of events, turned their attention to their supporters backstage. The celebratory mood continued, filled with well-wishes and encouragement from friends and colleagues.

April, Nicole, and Brianna, who had watched the post-match chaos with concern, finally made their way over to Sandro. April's face was etched with worry, but her eyes held a fierce determination.

"Sandro, are you okay?" April asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. "That attack was brutal from Drew and Stu, they really are the perfect heel team right now in FCW."

Sandro gave her a reassuring smile, though his face was still bruised from the earlier assault. "We're okay. It hurt, but we'll recover. The fans were amazing tonight, and that's what matters."

Nicole, always the practical one, added, "You guys did great out there. The Empire's attack just shows how seriously they're taking you. They know you're a threat and it's the perfect show for the fans."

Brianna, who had been quietly supportive, nodded in agreement. "You've got a lot of people believing in you. Keep pushing forward, and don't let their tactics shake you."

Sandro and Kofi thanked April, Nicole, and Brianna for their kind words before heading back to the locker room. Both were battered from the night's match, but the adrenaline of the crowd's energy still coursed through them.

Sandro, even though he couldn't feel physical pain one of the gifts he'd received from god, understood the importance of selling his pain so that everyone doesn't take notice of his gifts.

It also wasn't just about hiding himself and keeping this a secret; it was about telling stories and making the audience believe in every bruise, every grimace, and every limp to increase his momentum.

Kofi sat on the bench, peeling off his boots, his muscles screaming in protest. "Man, I gotta admit," he said with a breathless laugh, "they worked us good out there. I swear, Drew's lariat hit harder than it usually does."

Sandro nodded, sitting beside Kofi and grabbing an ice pack from the cooler. "They're trying to wear us down. They know we're a threat, and The Empire doesn't take threats lightly." He pressed the ice to his shoulder, even though the cold did nothing for him. "But that's the game. The harder they hit, the stronger we come back."

As the two cooled down and tended to their wounds, there was a knock at the door. In walked Dusty Rhodes, Steve Keirn, Stu Sanders, and Drew McIntyre. The tension in the room shifted instantly; it wasn't hostile, but everyone knew why they were there.

Business was about to be discussed. Stu and Drew, still riding high as the FCW Tag Team Champions and the top heels of the promotion, leaned casually against the wall, their belts slung over their shoulders. Dusty took a seat across from Sandro and Kofi, motioning for them to relax.

"Alright, boys," Dusty began, his voice thick with his famous Southern accent, "we're gonna talk about next week. You boys did fantastic out there tonight, but the real work starts now."

Steve, who was more reserved but no less insightful, nodded in agreement. "You've got momentum. The fans are behind you, and that's what we need to keep driving this story forward. We're heading into Monday night live, and it's time to raise the stakes."

Sandro exchanged a quick glance with Kofi before turning his full attention to the group. "We're ready for whatever you've got planned."

Dusty leaned forward, the intensity in his eyes cutting through the room. "Here's the deal. Next week, you two are gonna hit the ring to address what happened tonight. The fans are gonna want answers, and you'll give it to them. You'll call out The Empire, let 'em know you're not backing down." He paused for a moment, letting the weight of the plan settle before continuing. "But you won't even make it to the ring before Drew and Stu attack you on the ramp."

Drew, arms crossed, smirked from his position against the wall. "A little preemptive strike, mate. Just to remind you boys who run this place. I'm sure you could see how good it was right Sandro?"

Sandro's eyes narrowed, but he kept his composure. He knew what Dusty was setting up—it was a classic ambush, designed to build sympathy for the underdogs, for Dragon Boom.

Dusty continued, "They're gonna lay into you both, but then it's gonna take a turn. They'll handcuff you, Sandro. Strap you to the post so you can't help Kofi." He pointed at Kofi, "You'll get dragged into the ring, and the match'll start. Now, Kofi, you'll fight, but you'll be outnumbered. It's gonna be a tough one."

Kofi nodded slowly, already visualizing the scenario in his head. "So, I'm basically running on empty while Sandro's stuck outside."

Dusty snapped his fingers and pointed. "Exactly. We want to push the drama here, make the fans believe you're in real danger. But Sandro," he turned to the man in question, "this is where you come in. You're gonna do everything you can to free yourself. The more desperate you look, the better. And when you can't break the cuffs on your own, you're gonna spot a little girl in the audience."

Sandro raised an eyebrow. "A girl in the audience?"

"Yup. This'll be prearranged, of course. She's gonna have some barrettes in her hair—ones you'll use to try to pick the lock. The fans are gonna eat this up. It's you, using every ounce of ingenuity and strength, doing whatever it takes to save your partner."

Steve, sitting quietly beside Dusty, spoke up, "It'll build the tension. The longer it takes you to free yourself, the more the fans will be on edge. They'll see Kofi getting weaker, and they'll be rooting for you to break free before it's too late."

Drew couldn't resist a chuckle, "Of course, we'll make sure Kofi gets worked over pretty good by then. You know, keep the stakes high."

Kofi gave a small smile. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

Dusty continued, "After a few minutes, you'll finally pick the lock and break free. The crowd's gonna erupt. You give the barrette back to the girl, thank her, and then head to the ring like a man possessed. Drew and Stu, y'all'll be so caught up in punishing Kofi, you won't see Sandro coming until it's too late."

Stu, who had been quiet until now, chimed in, his thick British accent cutting through the room. "So, we'll act like we've got the match in the bag, right? Sandro comes in hot, and we get thrown off our game."

Dusty nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. You two'll look stunned—didn't expect Sandro to break free—and that's when the tide turns. Kofi, you'll tag out, and Sandro's gonna come in like a house on fire. He'll clean house, and the crowd's gonna go nuts. You'll both stand tall at the end, but we'll leave just enough hanging in the air so the fans know this feud ain't over."

The room was quiet for a beat, everyone absorbing the details. It was a perfect setup—a classic underdog narrative, but with enough twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Sandro leaned back, crossing his arms as he processed the plan. "So, we're setting the stage for a bigger blow-off later, right? This'll just be the next step."

Dusty grinned. "You got it, baby. We're not rushing this. We're building something special here. This attack on Monday will get the fans behind you even more, and then we can keep escalating until it's time for the big title match."

Kofi leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I like it. The fans are gonna lose it when Sandro breaks free."

Steve, always the voice of calm reasoning, added, "Just make sure you sell that struggle, Sandro. The longer it takes, the more tension we build. The payoff is all about timing."

Sandro nodded. "Don't worry, I'll make it count."

Drew and Stu exchanged a look, both smirking at the idea of the chaos they were about to cause. "Looks like we're gonna have some fun," Drew said.

Stu chuckled. "Hope you boys are ready to get roughed up again."

Sandro and Kofi smiled, the adrenaline already pumping again despite their battered bodies. "We're always ready," Kofi replied confidently.

With the meeting wrapping up, Dusty clapped his hands together. "Alright, boys, let's make magic next week. You've got the crowd, now let's keep 'em hooked."

As the group filed out of the locker room, Sandro and Kofi were left alone once more, the weight of what lay ahead sinking in. The Empire was no joke. Stu and Drew were at the top for a reason—they were ruthless, and they knew how to manipulate the fans' emotions.

But Sandro and Kofi had something special, something that was becoming undeniable: the fans believed in them. And in wrestling, that belief was everything.

Sandro glanced at Kofi, who was lacing up his shoes again. "You ready for this, man?"

Kofi grinned, despite the pain still etched across his face. "More than ever. Let's show them what Dragon Boom is all about."

The fire in Sandro's eyes mirrored Kofi's. "We're not just here to compete. We're here to take over." Next Monday night, they would have their chance to prove it. The battle against The Empire was far from over, but Sandro and Kofi were ready for war. This wasn't just about tag team gold anymore—it was about legacy, pride, and the fight of their lives.

_______________________

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: 0