129. Conversation & Training For Week 2

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As April made her way up the ramp, her head hung low, and the fans continued their chants, trying desperately to cheer her up. She stopped once at the top of the stage, glancing back at the ring where her dreams of reclaiming the championship had been shattered. With a deep breath, she turned and disappeared backstage, leaving the audience buzzing with mixed emotions. As the cameras faded to black, the fans took to social media, setting Twitter and the FCW official forums ablaze with discussions about the night's events.

One of the hottest topics was the reveal of Sheamus as the fourth member of Dragon Boom's team for War Games. Fans were thrilled at the addition, noting how Sheamus' brute strength and experience would level the playing field against The Empire.

However, The Empire's fourth member who was revealed much earlier in the show was none other than the reigning FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion, Samoa Joe.

Some fans were speculating whether Sheamus could truly level the playing field against Samoa Joe, because he was defeated by Joe which caused him to lose his title which was now held by Joe.

The other major talking point was the controversial main event between Nicole and April for the FCW Divas Championship. The general sentiment was outrage at the twins' underhanded tactics. Fans flooded the forums with comments like:

"Nicole can't win a match clean to save her life. She needed Brianna to cheat to get the WIN! Disgusting! That's not how a champion should defend her championship!"

"April deserved better. That match was hers until Brianna got involved. Total robbery. Justice for April!"

"I hope Dusty makes a stipulation for their next match. No Brianna at ringside!"

However, there were also fans who praised the match's intensity and storytelling, calling it one of the best Divas Championship matches in recent FCW history. Because after the tournament for the FCW Divas Championship, and April becoming its inaugural champion, it hasn't been involved in an exciting storyline and only a normal championship match until now.

Meanwhile, Nicole and Brianna took to social media to mock April and the fans. Nicole posted a picture of herself holding the Divas Championship with the caption:

"Still your champion. Get used to it, losers. Best Ever and Undefeated Queen of FCW!"

Brianna chimed in with a tweet of her own:

"April who? My sister is the REAL deal. Stay mad idiots 😂. Team Nicole all the way."

April, on the other hand, stayed silent on social media, further fueling speculation for fans about her mental state after the loss. Would she regroup and come back stronger, or would the loss send her into a downward spiral?

Back at FCW Headquarters, the atmosphere was electric. The show had been a massive success, and Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn were visibly pleased. Dusty gathered the wrestlers who had participated in the night's program, his booming voice filled with praise.

"Hell of a show, folks," he began, clapping his hands together. "Every one of you brought your A-game tonight. This is what FCW is all about—passion, storytelling, and making these fans go home talking. Be proud of what you accomplished tonight."

Steve chimed in, "Now, for those of you in ongoing storylines for next Monday's live program, remember, this momentum doesn't stop here. Use this week to train, rehearse, and fine-tune everything for next week. War Games is shaping up to be one of the biggest nights in FCW history, and we need everyone firing on all cylinders."

Sandro, Kofi, Taylor, and Sheamus nodded in agreement, knowing the weight of their upcoming promo segment and the match that would determine which team gained the advantage in War Games. Joining them were Drew, Stu, Creed, and Joe, all equally committed to delivering a memorable confrontation.

"Tomorrow morning," Sandro said, addressing the group, "we meet at the training center. We'll rehearse the promo segment and work through my match with Joe. I want this to be right and no room for error so we can build even bigger and believable momentum for our story."

"Agreed," Joe said with his eyes showing intensity for tomorrow's training. "If we're going to sell this War Games match as the battle of the century, we need to make every moment count. Let's give them something to remember."

The group exchanged nods, their camaraderie evident despite the kayfabe tension between their teams. After a few more pleasantries and a reminder from Dusty to get some rest, everyone began to disperse.

Sandro lingered in the lobby, scrolling through social media to gauge fan reactions to the show. The buzz was overwhelming, with fans passionately debating every major moment. He couldn't help but feel proud of how far FCW had come and the part he was playing in its success.

As he put his phone away, he heard familiar voices approaching. Turning, he saw April and Nicole walking toward him, their expressions a mix of fatigue and satisfaction.

"Hey," Sandro greeted them, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Great work tonight, both of you."

Nicole smirked, playfully flipping her hair. "Naturally. I mean, did you see me out there? Flawless, as always."

April rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah, Queen Nicole. Don't forget the part where you needed Brianna to bail you out."

Nicole feigned offense, placing a hand over her chest. "Excuse me, I would've won regardless. Brianna just… expedited the process much faster."

Sandro chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, regardless of how it happened, you both killed it. Come on, let's get out of here. I'm starving."

The three of them made their way to the parking lot, the cool night air a welcome change from the heated intensity of the arena. They climbed into Sandro's car, and he began driving toward their favorite Japanese restaurant. It was a small, tucked-away spot that offered privacy and incredible food, a perfect place to decompress after a chaotic night.

Arriving at the restaurant, they chose a cozy corner table hidden from the rest of the diners. After placing their orders which were sushi rolls for Nicole, ramen for April, and a hearty bento box for Sandro, they settled into an easy conversation.

"So, April," Sandro began, leaning back in his chair, asking something that had been on his mind,"I've got to ask, when did you come up with the Black Widow? That move was insane tonight. The fans were losing their minds."

April smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Honestly, it's something I've been working on for a while. You know how I've always relied on striking finishers, right? Well, I started feeling like those weren't doing me justice, especially since I'm not the biggest or strongest in the ring. I wanted something unique, something that could really sell the idea of me being dangerous, no matter who I'm up against."

Nicole nodded, chiming in. "We brainstormed together, actually. Me, April, and Brianna. During one of our training sessions, we talked about submission moves. We realized that April's agility and flexibility could make a submission finisher not just believable, but devastating."

April continued, "We went through a ton of ideas actually, triangle chokes, armbars, even a modified guillotine. But nothing really clicked until I stumbled on an old match clip. This wrestler used a unique spider-style hold, and it sparked the idea. We tweaked it, practiced it over and over, and eventually, the Black Widow was born."

Sandro's expression was one of admiration. "It's genius. You could see it in the crowd tonight, they were buying into it completely. That move's going to make you stand out even more."

As the night went on, the trio enjoyed their meal, their bond strengthening with every shared laugh and story. By the time they left the restaurant, the weight of the night's events had lessened. They knew the road ahead would be challenging, but they were ready to face it together.

The next morning, the FCW Performance Center buzzed with energy. The massive facility, outfitted with state-of-the-art training equipment and multiple wrestling rings, had become the center of FCW's wrestlers training.

Sandro arrived early, dressed in athletic gear and carrying a water bottle. His face was focused, his mind already running through the day's plans. He knew that today's rehearsals were critical for their War Games storyline to peak at the right moment.

It wasn't long before the others began filtering in. Kofi, ever the cheerful presence, greeted everyone with his signature optimism. Taylor followed closely, his focus laser-sharp as he prepared for his role in the confrontation.

Sheamus entered next, his imposing frame and fiery energy commanding the room. Drew, Stu, Creed, and Joe arrived soon after one another, each bringing their unique intensity to the group.

"All right, folks," Sandro began as they gathered around one of the rings. "Today's about making this promo segment and match the best they can be. We've got a lot riding on this storyline, so let's make it count."

Everyone nodded in agreement. They divided their schedule into two parts: rehearsing the promo confrontation between the two teams and choreographing the singles match between Sandro and Joe.

The first order of business was the promo. Dragon Boom and The Empire were set to face off in the ring, exchanging heated words to hype the War Games match. Neither team had found their fifth member yet, adding an air of intrigue and desperation to the segment.

Dusty had outlined the segment during their initial creative meeting. It would begin with Dragon Boom, Sandro, Kofi, Taylor, and Sheamus, entering the ring to address the crowd.

They'd talk about the importance of War Games, their unity, and their determination to bring down The Empire. Midway through, The Empire, Drew, Stu, Creed, and Joe, would interrupt, cutting a promo that painted Dragon Boom as underdogs with no chance of victory.

Sandro stood in the ring, holding a microphone, as they began their first run-through. "War Games isn't just another match, it's a war. And our team even though lacking our fifth member, is ready to fight tooth and nail to take down The Empire. You all saw what Sheamus brings to the table last week. Do you think we're stopping there? Think again."

Kofi added his own flair, bouncing off Sandro's words. "The Empire thinks they've already won, but let me tell you something, you can't break a team that fights with heart. And we've got plenty of that."

After their opening lines, Drew led The Empire's charge into the ring. "Heart? Please," he sneered, his Scottish accent making his words hit harder. "War Games isn't about heart. It's about dominance, and dominance is what we do best."

Joe followed his voice a mix of calm and menace. "You're looking at the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion. Do you honestly believe that Sheamus", he gestured mockingly, "is going to tip the scales in your favor? I've beaten him before, and I'll do it again."

The segment escalated as the two teams traded barbs. Stu leaned into his natural charisma, adding a cutting remark about Dragon Boom's lack of a fifth member. "Face it," he said with a smirk. "You're incomplete. And if you're not complete, you've already lost."

Sandro stepped forward, his voice firm. "You want to talk about being incomplete? Your team is also incomplete Stu! Let's see how complete you are after we wipe the floor with you next week."

The confrontation was rehearsed multiple times, with Dusty providing feedback. He emphasized pacing, timing, and emotional delivery to ensure the segment would resonate with the audience. By the end of the session, everyone felt confident they'd nailed the promo.

After a quick break, the focus shifted to the singles match between Sandro and Joe. This match, scheduled for next week's live show, was critical in determining which team would gain the all-important advantage in War Games.

Sandro and Joe climbed into the ring while the others gathered around, offering input and assistance as needed. The match was designed to be a hard-hitting affair, showcasing Joe's brute strength and technical prowess against Sandro's agility and resilience. The finish would see Joe secure the win after Drew, Stu, and Creed caused a commotion outside the ring, distracting Sandro long enough for Joe to capitalize.

They began by mapping out the match's structure:

1. Opening Sequence: Joe would dominate early, using his size and strength to overpower Sandro. Sandro, in turn, would sell Joe's offense, emphasizing the danger Joe posed.

2. Mid-Match Comeback: Sandro would rally with a series of high-flying moves, showcasing his athleticism and heart. This would include a springboard dropkick and a diving crossbody to the outside.

3. Climactic Finish: As Sandro gained momentum to gain the win, Drew, Stu, and Creed would appear at ringside followed by Kofi, Taylor, and Sheamus. Their presence would create chaos, allowing Joe to deliver a crushing Uranage and lock in the Coquina Clutch for the win.

The duo worked through each sequence, fine-tuning their movements to ensure everything flowed seamlessly. Joe, a seasoned veteran, offered tips to enhance Sandro's selling and timing.

"Make sure you react to every strike like it's life or death," Joe advised. "The more you make me look like a monster, the bigger your comeback will feel."

Sandro nodded, appreciating the guidance. "Got it. Let's run it again."

The others pitched in during the distraction rehearsal. Stu and Creed practiced climbing onto the apron while Drew slid a chair into the ring, all timed perfectly to create maximum chaos.

Sandro's frustration at the interference would build tension, making his eventual defeat feel even more heartbreaking. After several hours of grueling practice, the match began to take shape. By the time they wrapped up, everyone was exhausted but satisfied. The promo and match were ready to go, and the team felt confident they'd deliver a segment that would leave fans buzzing.

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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