18. Deciding Ring Persona, Style, & Entrance Music

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Sandro soaked up their words, feeling more confident and prepared for the challenges ahead. As the night progressed, the conversation shifted from wrestling to more personal topics, strengthening their bond even further.

The party celebration continued wonderfully and, at this time, the doorbell to Sandro's apartment sounded. Confused as to who was coming at this hour or if they were too noisy and interrupting their neighbors, Sandro opened the door.

To his surprise, it was Nicole and Brianna, each carrying several beverages, including beers, wine, and champagne.

"Hey, Sandro! We thought we'd join the celebration," Nicole said with a bright smile.

Brianna chimed in, "We didn't want to miss out on the fun!"

Surprised by their sudden appearance, Sandro smiled and invited them in, much to the delight of Nicole and Brianna, who had been worried they would be told to go home since they came unannounced.

Their addition caused the celebration to heat up. The room buzzed with excitement as everyone welcomed the Bella Twins, who quickly integrated into the party atmosphere.

Nicole and Brianna's presence added a new dynamic to the celebration. Their tight and skimpy clothing combined with the effect of alcohol almost caused Sandro to act impulsively several times.

Nicole and Brianna, sensing the shift, playfully swarmed around Sandro, vying for his attention. They turned into rivals, now that April wasn't present due to her schedule in New Jersey.

"Hey, Sandro, let's toast to your success!" Brianna said, handing him a glass of champagne.

Nicole on the other hand leaned in closer, her voice low and sultry. "You deserve all the celebration and more."

Sandro felt his heart race, trying to stay composed amid the increasing flirtation. He appreciated the attention but was wary of the complexities that came with it.

Despite their efforts, Sandro maintained his composure, not wanting to act impulsively and regret it later. His restraint didn't go unnoticed, and while Nicole and Brianna hid their disappointment, they continued to enjoy the party.

The celebration continued late into the night, filled with laughter, stories, and camaraderie. As the evening wound down, everyone pitched in to help Sandro clean up his apartment. The atmosphere was warm and supportive, and Sandro felt grateful for the friends he had made.

Before leaving, Nicole and Brianna surprised everyone by kissing Sandro on his left and right cheek, respectively. They then left quickly, embarrassed by their bold move.

"Good night, Sandro!" they called out in unison, disappearing into the night.

The remaining guests teased Sandro mercilessly. "Looks like you had quite the night, Sandro," Nick said with a wink.

Kofi added, "Better watch out, man. You're becoming quite the ladies' man."

Sandro could only smile ruefully, knowing the situation was becoming complicated. He bid everyone goodnight, grateful for their support and friendship.

After everyone left, Sandro took a long shower, letting the warm water wash away the exhaustion of the day. He climbed into bed, reflecting on the whirlwind of events.

The kisses from Nicole and Brianna lingered in his mind, but he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on his upcoming debut. He fell asleep with a mix of excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.

The next morning, Sandro woke up refreshed and ready for the new day. After a quick shower and breakfast, he received a text message from Dusty, asking him to come to his office to discuss the persona his ring character would have. Sandro's heart raced with excitement as he prepared for the meeting, knowing this was a crucial step in his wrestling career.

Arriving at the FCW facility, Sandro made his way to Dusty's office. He knocked on the door and was greeted by Dusty and Steve, both smiling warmly.

"Come on in, Sandro," Dusty said, motioning for him to take a seat. "We've got a lot to discuss today."

Steve nodded in agreement. "It's time to shape your wrestling persona, kid. We need to decide if you'll be a heel or a face, your wrestling style, and your entrance music."

Sandro listened intently as Dusty and Steve laid out the options. They discussed the pros and cons of being a heel (a villain) versus a face (a hero). Sandro considered his personality and the impression he wanted to make on the fans.

"I think I'd like to be a face," Sandro said thoughtfully. "I want to inspire people and be a positive role model. Also, it's much easier I think for me to adapt in the business, and I like it when a face turns hell when no one expects it in the future."

Dusty nodded approvingly. "Good choice. Being a face suits your personality and how you've interacted with everyone here. As for a heel turn, let's wait until you gain some fanbase and recognition, then we can prepare the unexpected new turn."

Steve leaned forward. "Now, let's talk about your wrestling style. We've seen you adapt to different opponents, but do you have a preferred style? Or do you have something else in mind?"

Sandro thought for a moment. "I enjoy technical wrestling, powerhouse style, fast striking, and high-flying maneuvers. I want to combine those elements to create a unique in-ring style, which can showcase more moves and could adapt much easier in the ring."

Dusty smiled. "That sounds like a solid plan. If you managed to showcase all of your talents and mix those styles perfectly then you would stand out in the industry."

Next, Steve asked Sandro what kind of ring persona he would like to have, giving examples like how Dusty's persona was a plumber and the embodiment of the American dream.

Sandro was silent for a while, deciding on the kind of ring persona he would have. This decision was challenging because he had many good references due to his past life and knew what would work and what wouldn't in the next couple of years.

Seeing Sandro's hesitation, Dusty and Steve offered several suggestions they felt could work for Sandro, aligning with his wrestling style and as a face. However, none of their suggestions resonated with Sandro. He appreciated their input but wanted to ensure his persona felt authentic and impactful.

After some thought, it clicked. He envisioned a persona that blended his martial arts mastery with his identity, and since this is a developmental brand he decided he could experiment on what kind of persona he would have.

"I've got it," Sandro said, his eyes lighting up. "I'll go by Sandro Zhang, a modern man who was an expert martial artist. My nickname will be The Florida Dragon, symbolizing speed, strength, ferocity, and ring intellect, much like a dragon. And, of course, it ties to me being from Florida."

He continued, "This persona will be a prideful and persistent man who lives his life with honor according to martial arts codes, never backing down from a fight. He likes to win and will do anything necessary to achieve it, except for cheating."

Dusty and Steve listened intently, their expressions thoughtful. After a moment, Dusty nodded. "I like it. It's unique and has depth. Not many martial artist personas are around these days, and the standard set by Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat in the past is a good benchmark."

Steve agreed. "It has a lot of potential, Sandro. I think fans will connect with this persona. It's authentic to who you are and can evolve over time."

Relieved by their positive reactions, Sandro thanked them for trusting his choice. "I appreciate your support. I'm excited to bring this character to life."

Next, they discussed the entrance music, crucial for setting the tone for his character. Without hesitation, Sandro suggested "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour.

Even though it would become CM Punk's iconic entrance song in the future, CM Punk doesn't have this song as his current entrance, and with his appearance in this alternate timeline, CM Punk may not be a wrestler, and if he is a wrestler, if he entered WWE in the future then he is a competition.

Dusty and Steve were unfamiliar with the song, so Sandro used Dusty's computer to play it on Spotify which launched this year, and received investment as well from his father after he suggested it. As the music filled the room, both men nodded in approval.

"This song is perfect," Dusty said. "It captures the essence of your persona and can transition well if you ever turn heel."

Steve added, "The lyrics and energy fit both a hero and a villain. It's a great choice. We will try to contact the band and its music agency for permission for the song to be used as your entrance, but it may need a hefty payment."

"Leave the matter of payments to me," Sandro said not caring about the expenses, "I'm sure that you and Duaty knew about my family background, so there's no need to ask WWE for money, I will handle this matter."

Dusty and Steve turned to look at each other, knowing full well what Sandro said right that they knew of Sandro's background from IRS and Blackjack Mulligan, but they didn't expect that he would be this rich.

They were also surprised that Sandro knew they would ask for some financial help from WWE, who was their owner and investor for the money to pay for his entrance music permission.

"Well... If you say so then we can only agree," Dusty said to Sandro while patting him on the shoulder, "Thank you for your understanding kid."

Sandro nodded his head head said that it wasn't a problem for him, and he was ready to play money out from his own pocket.

With that, his persona and entrance music decided, and Sandro felt a surge of excitement. He thanked Dusty and Steve for their guidance and left the office, eager to start training with his new identity in mind.

After he left, Sandro headed toward the training area where he trained and worked together with Nick, Kofi, Drew, Sheamus, and Stu, who joined the group halfway through their training and workout. Sandro shared the results of his discussion with Dusty and Steve, detailing the kind of ring persona he would have, his in ring style, and his entrance song.

Everyone was surprised at how quickly Sandro had finished crafting his ring persona, knowing how difficult it was to create one and how much harder it was to convince both Dusty and Steve.

"Wow, that was fast!" Nick exclaimed. "It took me weeks to figure out my persona and even longer to get Dusty to sign off on it."

Kofi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man. Crafting your character is no joke. Props to you for nailing it down so quickly."

Drew patted Sandro on the back. "Sounds like you're on the right track eh mate. The Florida Dragon, huh? I like it. It suits you."

Sheamus grinned. "And 'Cult of Personality' for your entrance music, fella? That's a solid choice. It's got the energy you need that signifies your character."

Stu, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "So, have you thought about your wrestling costume yet? You need something that ties in with your persona."

Sandro shook his head. "I haven't settled on a design yet. Thanks for reminding me, Stu. I could use some input from you guys. What do you think my costume should look like?"

The group exchanged glances and then began offering their suggestions.

"Definitely something that showcases your martial arts background," Kofi said. "Maybe some traditional elements, like a modernized gi or something."

Nick added, "You want to look fierce but also agile. Maybe incorporate dragon imagery, like a dragon emblem on your bottoms or some sort of dragon scales as part of the design."

Drew suggested, "How about a mix of traditional martial arts gear with modern wrestling attire? You could have arm and shin guards that look like dragon scales, combined with sleek, flexible material for your bottoms to improve your mobility such as wrestling tights."

Sheamus nodded. "And don't forget the colors. You need something that pops. Red and gold would work well, symbolizing the dragon and Florida."

Stu added thoughtfully, "Consider adding a coat or a robe for your entrance. Something dramatic that you can remove before the match. It would add to the spectacle and give you a memorable silhouette."

Sandro listened intently, taking mental notes of all their suggestions. "These are great ideas, guys. I really appreciate it. I'll take all of your thoughts into consideration when designing my costume."

With renewed enthusiasm, Sandro spent the rest of the day training hard with his friends, integrating some of the new techniques and styles he planned to use in the ring.

Later that evening, Sandro returned to his apartment and began sketching out designs for his wrestling costume. He combined elements of traditional martial arts gear with modern wrestling attire, incorporating dragon imagery and a color scheme of red and gold.

He included arm and shin guards with dragon scale patterns, a sleek, flexible material for the wrestling tights which was colored black, and a coat that was like the coat Edge had worn in the future after his return for his entrance.

After several drafts, he felt satisfied with the design and decided to get some rest. The next morning, he visited a local costume designer who specialized in wrestling gear. The designer was impressed with Sandro's detailed sketches and began working on bringing the costume to life.

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 18 (2008)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: None -> FCW

Wrestling Style: None -> Mixed Of All Style

Faction: None

Championship History: 0