Becoming A Wrestler

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His dad had taken a huge risk, but one that could pay off massively in the years to come. Marvel's intellectual properties—Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X-Men—were cultural juggernauts, and with Jack's guidance and combined with his insight from his past life, Marvel could flourish in ways no one had ever anticipated. Sandro picked up his phone and sent his dad a message: "Just saw the news. Congrats on the Marvel deal! You made history, Dad."

After Sandro sent the text message to his father, he closed the tab discussing the Marvel deal and began reflecting on another topic that had been simmering at the back of his mind: Twitter.

The social media platform, which would soon become a global force, had yet to achieve its full potential. He knew, from his experiences and memories of his past life, that Twitter was not just a fleeting trend but a pivotal tool that would shape communication and marketing in the future.

The introduction of hashtags, for example, was something that hadn't fully taken off yet but would soon become a powerful method for brands, celebrities, and influencers to dominate online spaces and drive global conversations.

He searched for the latest developments on Twitter and, sure enough, came across a news article with a headline that read, "Twitter Seeks New Investors to Expand Global Reach."

The article detailed how Twitter, still a relatively young company, was eager to expand its user base beyond the U.S. and turn itself into a global social media powerhouse. This was exactly the type of opportunity Sandro knew he couldn't pass up.

An investment now in a platform like Twitter, while it was still growing, could yield massive dividends in the future. It wasn't just about profit; it was about influence, reach, and staying ahead in an increasingly digital world.

Sandro knew his father was incredibly focused on growing Nexum Core and diversifying its holdings. Between the Marvel acquisition and the UFC deal that was waiting for its completion, their company was already on track to become a significant player in the entertainment industry.

But an investment in Twitter combined with their shares at YouTube, Google, and Facebook? That could be the key to dominating the digital and media landscape as well especially in the early 2010's.

As he was mulling over the idea of approaching Jack about investing in Twitter, his phone buzzed with a new message. It was his father. Jack's response was brief but filled with pride.

"Thanks, son. I'm proud of you too. Watched the match last night after I got back from the office. You and Kofi tore the house down. Incredible work."

Sandro grinned as he read the message, picturing his dad catching the replay of the match after his long day. Knowing that Jack had taken the time to watch his match after returning from one of the biggest business deals of his life made Sandro feel even more connected to him. Both of them were working toward their own dreams, but they always supported each other.

He quickly typed out a reply: "Means a lot, Dad. We gave it everything. The Empire won't stay quiet for long though. But we'll be ready."

After hitting send, Sandro's mind quickly shifted gears. He wasn't just thinking about wrestling or even the Marvel deal anymore. His thoughts turned to Apple. In his previous life, the tech giant had been an absolute game-changer, and with the iPhone revolutionizing the way people interacted with technology, he had always been fascinated by its rise. But something strange had happened this time around.

Sandro realized that he had somehow missed the monumental launch of the first iPhone. Normally, an event of this magnitude would have been impossible to ignore, but between his wrestling career and the family's business pursuits, it had completely slipped his mind. It wasn't until today, as he checked the news, that he discovered the iPhone had been announced earlier this year at the Macworld Convention in June.

Despite the media attention it had garnered, the announcement had been somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing financial crisis. It was another sign that the timeline of this world wasn't an exact replica of his past life.

Events were unfolding differently. The iPhone's launch wasn't as celebrated here as it had been in his previous timeline, but the technology was still there, ready to change the world. That thought brought a sense of relief to Sandro, who had long been waiting for modern smartphones to emerge.

Sandro's gaze drifted toward his current phone—a bulky, outdated piece of tech by future standards. Soon, he thought, he could finally replace it with something sleek and intuitive. The iPhone was about to revolutionize not just the tech world but how businesses and people interacted on a global scale.

And with Nexum Core already holding a significant stake in Apple, thanks to Jack's early investments, they were well-positioned to ride the wave of the coming technological revolution.

He returned to the news article about Apple and read through the details. Steve Jobs had unveiled the iPhone, touting its sleek design, touch interface, and revolutionary features that integrated phone, iPod, and internet capabilities into a single device.

While many analysts in this timeline seemed cautious about the iPhone's potential, Sandro knew better. This was going to be a cultural phenomenon, and Apple's dominance in the tech space was all but inevitable.

Sandro couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at how history was playing out. Even though some events had shifted in this new world, certain trends and technologies were on course to repeat themselves, albeit at different paces.

He thought about how he could leverage this knowledge. Perhaps it was time to revisit the tech sector in more depth, considering how heavily invested Nexum Core already was in various industries.

At this time, his computer buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. This time it was a notification about a wrestling podcast discussing last night's match. Sandro clicked on the link and listened in as the hosts enthusiastically analyzed the FCW Halloween Pay-Per-View.

"Dragon Boom's match against The Empire was an absolute war," one of the hosts said. "The chemistry between Sandro and Kofi was off the charts, and they've really cemented themselves as the top tag team in the company. I wouldn't be surprised if we see them holding those belts for a long time."

"They've got that underdog spirit, but now they're on top. The question is—how do they stay there?" another host chimed in. "The Empire's not going to go quietly. Drew and Stu are too proof for that."

Sandro leaned back in his chair, absorbing the praise. It felt good to hear the wrestling world talking about him and Kofi like this. But the hosts' question lingered in his mind: how would they stay on top?

The answer, Sandro knew, was simple: keep evolving. Just like his father was expanding Nexum Core's reach through strategic investments, Sandro and Kofi would have to adapt, refine their skills, and stay one step ahead of the competition. In wrestling, as in business, complacency was the enemy.

As the podcast continued in the background, Sandro's mind wandered back to Twitter. He still hadn't mentioned his thoughts on investing in the platform to his father. Now that Jack had successfully closed the Marvel deal, perhaps it was the right time to approach him about Twitter.

With the eventual rise of smartphones like the iPhone, social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook were about to explode in popularity.

Sandro could see the future of digital marketing, and Twitter would be at the heart of it. If Nexum Core could get in early, they could secure a strategic advantage that would be impossible for competitors to ignore.

Sandro finished his breakfast, feeling a renewed sense of focus. He had a busy day ahead—between training, keeping up with fan engagement, and thinking about Nexum Core's next moves. But first, he would draft an email to his father, outlining his thoughts on Twitter and why now was the perfect time to invest.

As he began typing on Microsoft Word, Sandro couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. His life was a constant balancing act—between wrestling, family, and business—but moments like this reminded him of the potential he had to shape not just his own future, but the future of Nexum Core and the industries they were involved in.

With the iPhone coming soon, the Marvel acquisition complete, and Twitter on the rise, the possibilities seemed endless. All Sandro had to do was keep pushing forward, both in the ring and in the boardroom.

He spent the better part of the day drafting an in-depth proposal about Twitter. Sandro meticulously outlined the potential benefits Nexum Core could reap from an early investment in the platform. Twitter was on the brink of becoming a significant player in the social media space, and with its global aspirations, it had the potential to revolutionize how people communicated across borders.

Sandro emphasized how Twitter, combined with the shares they already held in Google, YouTube, and Facebook, could allow Nexum Core to dominate the growing social media and internet sectors. Social media platforms were becoming not only vital for personal communication but also for business and marketing.

The more platforms they could gain control of, the more leverage they would have over the digital advertising space. Sandro described how someone he knew from inside Twitter told him about Twitter's new project which was a hashtag system, which would evolve into a major driver of trends, conversations, and marketing campaigns across the globe.

He laid out his vision for what a monopoly over these platforms could mean for Nexum Core. With the rise of smartphones like the iPhone, social media usage would explode, and owning a majority share in these companies would give them unprecedented control over the internet's most lucrative assets.

They could promote their entertainment ventures—Marvel, UFC, and whatever came next—across these platforms with ease, ensuring global reach. Online advertising alone, Sandro pointed out, could become a massive revenue stream, and with Nexum Core owning these future rising digital giants, they would be in a position to dictate prices and terms.

But Sandro was also careful to discuss the risks. He detailed the potential drawbacks of missing out on this opportunity. If they failed to invest in Twitter now, they would leave the door open for competitors to establish a foothold in the social media space. The consequences could be severe.

Without control over the dominant platforms of the internet, Nexum Core would struggle to keep up with advertising trends, influencer partnerships, and the overall digital marketing landscape.

By the time he was done, he had outlined both the massive upside and the risks involved. Satisfied with his work, Sandro saved the document and attached it to an email. He composed a short message to his father, summarizing his thoughts before sending it off.

Just as he hit "send," his phone rang. It was April. "Hey, April. What's up?" Sandro answered, his mind still on the email he had just sent.

"Hey, Sandro. How are you? I was wondering if you're free tomorrow. Nicole and I want to meet with you at my apartment. There's something important we need to talk about."

Sandro paused. He had a feeling he knew what the conversation would be about. He remembered the conversation he'd overheard between April, Nicole, and Brianna in the locker room not too long ago. The tension in that conversation—especially Brianna's reaction—made it clear that something was happening beneath the surface, something that involved him.

"Sandro? You still there?" April asked after a long pause.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Sandro replied, "Yeah, sorry. I'm here. Sure, I can come over tomorrow. What time?"

"Let's say around noon?" she suggested.

"That works. I'll see you then," Sandro replied, trying to keep his tone casual, even though his mind was racing with anticipation about what April and Nicole wanted to discuss.

"Great. Thanks, Sandro. See you tomorrow!" April said before hanging up. As the call ended, Sandro sat back in his chair, staring at his phone. He couldn't shake the feeling that the conversation he'd be having tomorrow would be a pivotal moment, not just in his personal life but in how things would unfold between the three of them.

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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