Chapter 35: 32. Tag Team Tuning Before The Match
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That night, as he lay in bed, Sandro's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He was excited, nervous, and determined all at once. The upcoming match felt like a turning point—not just for his career, but for everything he had been working towards since joining FCW. He knew that this was his chance to make a real impact, to prove to Dusty, Steve, everyone else, and especially himself that he was more than just a promising prospect. He was a contender.
The next day, Sandro woke up early, energized by the previous day's successful training session with Kofi. He changed into his running clothes, stretched briefly, and headed out for his morning run. The streets were still quiet, with only a few other early risers out and about. The crisp morning air filled his lungs as he began his run, his mind already buzzing with thoughts of the day ahead.
As he ran, Sandro reflected on how far he'd come since joining FCW. It had been a whirlwind journey filled with challenges, growth, and more than a few surprises.
His involvement in the creation of the FCW Divas Championship had been a significant milestone, one that he was incredibly proud of. But now, with the tag team tournament on the horizon, Sandro knew it was time to focus on the next step in his career.
The thought of teaming up with Kofi filled him with both excitement and determination. They had spent hours working on their timing, their chemistry, and their new finisher, the combination of Kofi's Trouble In Paradise and Sandro's Dragon Twist Cutter.
The move felt like the perfect blend of their styles, and Sandro was confident it would make an impact when they debuted it later that night, especially since his move was possibly a new variation of the cutter and he doesn't remember anyone having this move except for Timothy Thatcher.
After an hour of running, Sandro returned to his apartment, his muscles warm and his mind clear. He took a quick shower, letting the hot water soothe his tired legs, then dressed in comfortable clothes for the day ahead.
Breakfast was simple but nutritious—oatmeal with fresh fruit and a protein shake. He needed to fuel his body properly for the day's activities, especially with the house show that evening.
Once he was finished eating, Sandro grabbed his car keys and headed out the door. The drive to the FCW Headquarters was uneventful, giving him time to mentally prepare for the day. He had a good feeling about the match that night, but he knew they needed to stay focused and continue refining their teamwork.
When Sandro arrived at the headquarters, he saw Nick, Kofi, and Sheamus talking together near the entrance. He smiled as he approached them, glad to see his friends in high spirits.
"Morning, guys," Sandro greeted them, joining the group.
"Morning, Sandro," Nick replied, giving him a nod. "You ready for tonight? Kofi was just telling us that you two have a match tonight."
"Definitely," Sandro said with a grin. "Kofi and I have been putting in some serious work."
Sheamus clapped Kofi on the back, his booming laugh echoing through the hallway. "So you two are teaming up, huh fella? About time you made it official."
Kofi chuckled, his usual cheerful demeanor shining through. "Yeah, man. We've got a match tonight at the house show, and we're aiming to make a statement."
Sandro and Kofi then shared their plans with Nick and Sheamus, explaining their sudden decision to team up and their hopes of entering the tag team championship number one contender tournament.
Nick raised an eyebrow in surprise, impressed by their ambition. "Well, I didn't see that coming, but I'm glad to hear that Dusty and Steve take the bet. You two will make a hell of a team."
"Thanks, Nick," Sandro said, appreciating the encouragement. "We've got our work cut out for us, but we're ready."
Sheamus nodded in agreement. "I'll be watching tonight, and I'll be cheering you on fella. You guys have what it takes to win that tournament proving Dusty and Steve that their choice was correct in trusting in Sandro."
"Thanks, Sheamus," Kofi replied, smiling. "We won't let you two and the others down."
"I can't wait to watch you two go against Drew and Stu, it will be one hell of a banner match," Nick said excitedly as he opened the entrance door to FCW Headquarters.
The four of them headed inside together, their conversation continuing as they made their way to the gym for a light training and workout session. It was a relaxed atmosphere, with everyone focused on staying loose and sharp for the upcoming matches.
As they worked out, Sandro and Kofi ran through a few more sequences, fine-tuning their timing and making sure they were in sync.
Nick and Sheamus watched with interest, offering tips and advice as needed. The support from their friends meant a lot to Sandro and Kofi, especially knowing that they would be in the crowd tonight, cheering them on.
As Sandro and Kofi continued their training, they were fully immersed in fine-tuning their teamwork and preparing for the night ahead.
Suddenly, the door to the training area swung open, and in walked Dusty Rhodes and Steve Keirn. Their presence commanded attention, and all four men paused their activities to acknowledge the two veterans.
"Hey there, boys," Dusty greeted with his trademark charisma, a wide smile on his face. "How y'all doin' this fine day?"
"Good to see you, Dusty, Steve," Sandro said, stepping forward to shake their hands. "We're feeling great, just getting some last-minute work in before tonight."
Steve nodded approvingly. "That's what we like to hear. You two have been putting in the work, and it shows. But we came here to talk to you about tonight's house show."
Sandro's ears perked up at the mention of the show. He exchanged a quick glance with Kofi, both of them eager to hear what Dusty and Steve had to say.
"We've decided on your opponents for tonight," Dusty continued, his tone serious now. "You and your partner of choice will be facing Eric Escobar and Primo, the Puerto Rican Nightmares."
Sandro felt a jolt of excitement. The Puerto Rican Nightmares were a well-known tag team in FCW, experienced and skilled in the ring. This was exactly the kind of challenge he and Kofi needed to prove themselves.
"That's a big opportunity for us," Sandro said, his voice steady. "We won't take it lightly."
Steve smiled, clearly pleased with Sandro's attitude. "We know you won't. Now, here's how it's gonna go down. We want you to have a discussion with Eric and Primo, work out the details of the match, and then get in some ring time together. Make sure you're all on the same page."
Sandro nodded. He knew how important it was to plan and communicate with his opponents before the match. It wasn't just about winning; it was about putting on a great show for the fans and ensuring everyone was safe in the ring.
"As for who's gonna win," Dusty added, "we'll make that call when the match is nearing the end. The referee will get the signal through his headset. So, be ready for anything."
This wasn't unusual in professional wrestling, where match outcomes were often decided based on the flow of the match and the reaction of the crowd. Sandro appreciated the flexibility, knowing that it kept things dynamic and exciting.
"Understood," Sandro replied, his respect for Dusty and Steve evident in his tone. "Thank you for the opportunity. I won't let you down."
Dusty placed a hand on Sandro's shoulder, his eyes conveying a deep sincerity. "We believe in you, kid. You've got something special, and tonight's just another step on your journey. Keep pushing forward."
Steve gave a nod of agreement. "And remember, it's not just about winning or losing. It's about making an impression on the fans, making them impressed at what you did. That's what really matters."
With those words of wisdom, Dusty and Steve turned to leave, their presence still lingering in the room even after they'd gone. Sandro felt a surge of determination. This was more than just a match; it was a chance to prove himself to two of the most respected figures in the industry.
He turned to Kofi, who had been listening intently. "Looks like we've got our work cut out for us."
Kofi grinned, his enthusiasm undimmed. "You know it, man. Let's go meet Eric and Primo and make sure we're ready for tonight."
The two of them left the training area and headed toward the section of the building where Eric and Primo were likely getting ready. As they walked, Sandro couldn't help but think about how much he had grown since joining FCW. Every match, every training session, every conversation with veterans like Dusty and Steve had shaped him into the wrestler he was becoming.
When they reached the locker room where Eric and Primo were preparing, Sandro opened the door. Where they saw both Eric and Primo inside preparing for the march later on.
"Sandro, Kofi, come on in," Eric said when he saw Sandro and Kofi who was at the entrance.
Primo was sitting on one of the benches, lacing up his boots. He looked up and gave them a nod of acknowledgment. "Hey, guys. Ready for tonight?"
"Definitely," Sandro replied, returning the nod. "We wanted to talk with you both about the match, and make sure we're all on the same page."
Eric and Primo exchanged a glance, both of them looking pleased by Sandro's professionalism. "Sounds good to us," Eric said. "Let's go over the plan."
They all sat down, and the discussion began in earnest. Sandro and Kofi laid out their ideas for the match, emphasizing the importance of pacing and ensuring that both teams got a chance to shine.
They suggested that the Puerto Rican Nightmares start strong, dominating the first few minutes of the match to establish their experience and power.
Eric and Primo listened carefully, nodding along as Sandro and Kofi explained their strategy. When they finished, Eric leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I like what you're thinking," Eric said. "It's a good plan, and it gives us a chance to showcase both teams' strengths. We're all about putting on a great match, so we're on board."
Primo agreed. "Yeah, this will give the fans something to get excited about. And we appreciate the respect you're showing us by giving us early control. That says a lot about you two."
Sandro felt a sense of relief and gratitude. He had always believed in the importance of mutual respect in the ring, and it was clear that Eric and Primo valued that as well. "Thanks, guys. We just want to make sure it's a match that everyone can be proud of."
With the general outline agreed upon, the four men moved on to discussing specific spots and sequences. They worked out the timing for their respective tag team finishers, making sure that both moves would have maximum impact.
The Dragon Twist Cutter and Trouble in Paradise combination was a highlight, and Sandro could see that Eric and Primo were genuinely impressed by the creativity and execution of the move.
"We'll definitely make that a big moment," Eric said with a smile. "The fans are gonna love it."
After they had hashed out the details, they all headed to the ring for a practice session. The chemistry between the two teams was evident from the start. Sandro and Kofi moved with precision and confidence, while Eric and Primo brought their veteran experience and ring awareness to the table.
They ran through several spots, each time tweaking and adjusting to make sure everything flowed smoothly. The atmosphere was one of collaboration and mutual respect, with everyone focused on making the match the best it could be.
At one point, Eric pulled Sandro aside after a particularly complex sequence. "You've got a real talent for this, Sandro. You and Kofi are gonna go far as a team. Just keep doing what you're doing."
Sandro appreciated the compliment. "Thanks, Eric. That means a lot coming from you."
After the practice session, they all took a break, knowing that the real test would come later that night. Sandro and Kofi grabbed some water and sat down together, both of them feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"We're ready for this," Sandro said, more to himself than anyone else.
Kofi nodded. "Yeah, we are. Tonight's gonna be something special."
The hours passed quickly as the house show approached. Backstage, the atmosphere was a mix of nervous energy and excitement. Wrestlers were going through their final preparations, some pacing, others sitting quietly in thought.
Sandro and Kofi were in their gear, ready to go. They stood near the entrance area, waiting for their cue. The sound of the crowd on the other side of the curtain was like a distant roar, growing louder as the anticipation built.
Sandro took a deep breath, centering himself. He had been in big matches before, but this felt different. This was about more than just winning—it was about proving that he and Kofi could be a legitimate force in the tag team division.
Kofi placed a hand on Sandro's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "We've got this, man. Let's go out there and show them what we can do."
Sandro nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. "Yeah, let's do this."
Their entrance music hit, and Sandro stepped through the curtain, the noise of the crowd washing over him like a wave. Kofi followed close behind, the two of them walking down the ramp together, united in purpose.
The ring was bathed in light, and Sandro could see Eric and Primo already waiting, their expressions focused and intense. As they climbed into the ring, the referee signaled for the bell, and the match was underway. The pace was fast from the start, with Eric and Primo taking early control as planned.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: None
Championship History: 0