87. Writing Down Ideas

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Sandro flipped through the profiles again, this time pausing on James Storm. The cowboy persona had made Storm a standout in TNA, but beyond the character, Storm was a talented brawler and tag team specialist. He had a way of connecting with the crowd, especially as an everyman, beer-drinking, hard-hitting wrestler. Storm's experience in tag team wrestling, particularly with Robert Roode as part of Beer Money, Inc., made him an intriguing option for FCW's growing tag team division.

"James Storm is another guy who could make a big impact here," Sandro said, laying the profile down on the table. "He's got a unique charisma, and the fans love him. Plus, if we bring him in with Roode, you've got an instant tag team that could give our division a serious boost. Beer Money is one of the best tag teams and had the most potential in the business."

Dusty's eyes lit up at the mention of Beer Money. "Exactly what I was thinkin'. Our tag division is strong, but a team like Beer Money could take it to the next level. We've already got you and Kofi holdin' the belts, and with some fresh blood like Storm and Roode, we could have some real competition on our hands."

Steve chimed in again, his voice more pragmatic. "The only issue with Storm and Roode is their commitments to TNA. They're pretty tied up over there, but we've been in talks about the possibility of part-time deals here at FCW which could boost our ratings and boost our tag team division. It's not a guarantee, but if we play our cards right, we might be able to make it happen."

Sandro nodded thoughtfully, understanding the complexities of negotiating talent between promotions. "If we can pull that off, it would be a huge get for FCW. Even if it's just a few months, having them here would give us a lot of momentum. And Roode—he's another guy with serious potential as a singles star. He's been getting better and better each year."

Sandro looked at Roode's profile. Roode was versatile—a powerhouse who could wrestle both as a tag team specialist and as a singles competitor. His work ethic was well-known, and he had the look and presence of a top-level star. If FCW could bring him in, even for a short program, it could elevate the entire roster.

"Roode's got main-event potential," Sandro said. "He's been in the tag scene for a while, but he's someone who could easily transition into a singles role if we needed him to. He's got the skills, the look, and he's a natural heel if we want to go that route."

Dusty nodded, clearly impressed with Sandro's assessment. "That's exactly what we've been thinkin'. Roode's one of those guys who's been flyin' under the radar for too long. If we give him the right platform, he could really break out here in FCW."

Sandro moved on to the final profile in the stack—Eric Young. Young was a versatile performer, capable of working as a comedic character, a serious competitor, or even a wild card in more unpredictable storylines. Sandro had seen Young's evolution over the years in his past life, from his early days as a fun-loving underdog to his work as a chaotic, unpredictable figure in TNA and WWE.

"Eric Young," Sandro said, tapping the profile. "This guy's a wildcard. He can play just about any role you throw at him. If you need a serious babyface, he can do that. If you need comedic relief, he can pull that off too. He's versatile, and that's something we could use."

Dusty chuckled, clearly fond of Young's work. "Yeah, Eric's one of those guys who can turn any situation into gold. He's got a real gift for connectin' with the audience, whether he's makin' 'em laugh or makin' 'em care. We're thinkin' of bringin' him in for some special segments, maybe even pair him with some of the younger guys to help get them over."

Steve leaned in again, his expression more analytical. "Young's strength is in his adaptability. We could use him in different ways, depending on what the roster needs. He's a veteran, but he still moves like a guy ten years younger. If we bring him in, we'll need to figure out the best way to maximize his strengths."

Sandro nodded, agreeing with Steve's assessment. "Eric's one of those guys who can fill in any gap. If we bring him in, we should use him to help elevate some of the younger talent. He's a perfect guy to put in the ring with someone like Taylor or any of the other up-and-comers. He'll make them look great while still keeping himself relevant."

Dusty leaned back in his chair, clearly pleased with how the meeting was going. "That's what I like to hear, Sandro. You've always had an eye for talent, and your input here is gonna be invaluable. We're gonna try to move forward with some of these signings, but it's good to know we're on the right track."

Sandro felt a surge of pride at Dusty's words. He had always taken his role in FCW seriously, not just as a competitor but as someone who could help shape the future of the company.

The thought of bringing in talent like Samoa Joe, James Storm, Robert Roode, and Eric Young combined with Tyler Black and Jon Moxley filled him with excitement. These were the kinds of wrestlers who could help elevate FCW to the next level.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Steve said, standing up and stretching his arms. "But I think we're headed in the right direction. If we can lock in these deals and get these guys into the fold, FCW is gonna be a serious contender."

Sandro stood up as well, shaking hands with both Dusty and Steve. "I'm all in. Whatever you need from me to make this happen, I'm ready to do it."

Dusty gave Sandro a firm handshake and a pat on the back. "I knew I could count on you, kid. We're buildin' somethin' special here, and you're a big part of it."

As Sandro left Dusty's office and walked through the halls of FCW Headquarters, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The future was bright, and with the potential signings of Tyler Black, Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe, James Storm, Robert Roode, and Eric Young on the horizon, FCW was on the verge of something big. Sandro knew that the wrestling world was about to take notice, and he was ready to help lead the charge.

But as he made his way down the hall toward the catering area, the reality of what lay ahead started to sink in. While the prospect of working with fyture world-class talents like Tyler Black, Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe, James Storm, Robert Roode, and Eric Young was exhilarating, it also raised a looming question: How would he continue to stand out?

Sandro filled a plate with scrambled eggs, toast, and a few slices of bacon before grabbing a bottle of water. He found a table near the back, away from the few people milling around, and sat down. As he ate, his mind raced.

The reality of wrestling was brutal: you could be the biggest name in one place, but as soon as bigger stars walked in, your spot wasn't guaranteed.

His thoughts kept drifting back to the past, to when he had first enters the industry, worked alongside legends like IRS and Blackjack Mulligan to enter FCW, but now, with these names coming into FCW guaranteeing a spot due to the connection he had with these legends, he realized that it was time to carve out something truly unique for himself. Something more than just being another great wrestler.

That's when it hit him—Cody Rhodes. In his past life, Cody had turned himself into a megastar not just by his in-ring skills but by creating a personal "wishlist" of accomplishments, things that defined his journey and set him apart.

Sandro remembered watching Cody transition from being known solely as Dusty's son to building a legacy all his own after leaving WWE. Cody had reinvented himself time and again, standing out by making deliberate choices to challenge the status quo.

This got Sandro thinking: What if he, too, created a roadmap for his career? A list of goals that would force him to take risks and embrace new challenges?

He pushed his plate aside, lost in thought. Cody had broken out of his father's shadow by doing what no one expected—betting on himself. And that's what Sandro needed to do now.

He was already a respected figure in FCW officials and fans eyes, but to become a true legend, he needed to create moments that would etch his name into the annals of wrestling history. And for that, he needed a plan. Something bigger than just winning matches. He needed to write down his vision.

With newfound urgency, Sandro stood up and left the catering area. He made his way toward the creative team's office, knowing that they'd have what he needed—a notebook and pen. As soon as he walked in, he spotted one of the assistants and asked for supplies. The assistant handed him a small notebook and a pen without question, and Sandro nodded in thanks before retreating to a quiet corner.

The minute he sat down, his pen touched the paper, and the ideas began to flow. First, he wrote at the top of the page:

Sandro's Career Wishlist

Then, he started brainstorming. What were the things he needed to do to stand out? What were the challenges that excited him, scared him, made him want to push the limits of what he thought was possible? His pen flew across the page as if guided by something beyond himself.

1. Main Event a WWE Major Pay-Per-View – Not just any show, it had to be like Summerslam or Extreme Rules. It had to be a defining event with big storylines, something that would draw the eyes of the world onto him.

2. Win a World Title – Of course, this was always the goal. But now, it needed to be more than just winning the title. It had to be about elevating the championship, making it mean something more because he held it.

3. Create a New Match Type – One thing that always excited fans was innovation. Matches like the Hell in a Cell or the Royal Rumble had become iconic because they were unlike anything else. What if he could create something new, something the fans had never seen before?

4. Put Over a New Star – Just like how he was helping Taylor rise, Sandro knew that part of his legacy would be in lifting others. But he didn't want to just do it once—he wanted to make it a focal point of his career. By bringing fresh talent into the spotlight, he could ensure that FCW had a future long after he was gone.

5. Become a Heel of Legendary Status – He'd been a fan favorite for a while, but what if he flipped the script? What if, instead of being the hero, he became the villain everyone wanted to see fall? That could open up new storylines, challenges, and rivalries that could make his name unforgettable.

6. Win an Interpromotional Match – With FCW expanding and talks of part-time deals with TNA talent, the wrestling world was getting more interconnected. What if Sandro became the face of FCW's interpromotional dominance? A match that pitted him against top stars from other promotions could be a career-defining moment.

7. Take Part in a Historic Faction – Some of the greatest wrestlers in history were part of legendary groups—The Four Horsemen, nWo, DX. Maybe it was time for Sandro to align himself with a faction that could change the landscape of wrestling.

After jotting down those goals, Sandro flipped the page and started thinking more tactically. He began listing out wrestlers from his past life who had potential but hadn't yet made it to FCW or WWE by 2009. These were guys who might not have been as famous then but would become huge if given the right push.

He started with names like:

Sami Zayn (El Generico): A high-flying underdog with an infectious energy. Sandro had always admired Zayn's in-ring work, and he knew that with the right storyline, Sami could be one of the most beloved or hated figures in the business.

Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen): A powerhouse with a brawler's mentality, Owens was someone who could talk as well as he could fight. Sandro saw him as a future world champion if handled correctly.

Adam Cole: Charismatic, intelligent, and dangerous in the ring. Cole was the total package and someone who could carry a company on his back.

Then, Sandro moved on to thinking about storylines and match types. He began sketching out the idea of a new match concept. He wanted something that could take advantage of the athleticism of modern wrestlers but still pay homage to the storytelling style of the greats.

He envisioned a match where each participant had to score points by pinfall, submission, or special moves within a time limit, with escalating rewards or consequences depending on their score. It would be a blend of technical wrestling and high drama—a real test of endurance and strategy.

He also thought about potential storylines he could pitch to Dusty and the creative team. One idea that came to mind was a multi-generational feud—an idea where the veterans of FCW would take on the new, hungry talents in a battle for the future of the company.

The veterans, seeing themselves as gatekeepers, would form a faction to "protect" FCW from the newcomers, who would fight to prove that they were the future. This could give Sandro an opportunity to play either side, depending on how the fans responded to his character.

By the time Sandro finished writing, the notebook was filled with ideas, storylines, match types, and career goals. He felt a sense of relief as if committing these thoughts to paper had cleared his mind. He wasn't just planning for survival anymore—he was planning for dominance.

Sandro knew that wrestling was about moments, and if he was going to continue standing out in a company that was about to bring in some of the biggest names in the business, he needed to create moments that would last. Moments that fans would remember long after the matches were over. He stood up, pocketing the notebook, and headed back toward the main hall of FCW. His future wasn't just something he was going to wait for—it was something he was going to create.

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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