31. Tag Team Partner Choice & Training

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"Well, in recognition of all the effort you've put in—not just with the Divas Championship, but also with your in-ring work—Steve and I want to offer you a spot in an upcoming FCW tag team championship tournament. It's to crown a number one contender, and it's happening the week after the Divas tournament kicks off."

Sandro felt a surge of excitement at the offer, but it was quickly followed by a pang of uncertainty. He had been doing all of this because he wanted to, not because he expected anything in return. He didn't want his actions to be misunderstood as a way to earn favors or special treatment.

"Dusty, I appreciate the offer, I really do," Sandro said, slowing his pace as he considered his response. "But I didn't do any of this for a reward. I did it because I believe in the women's division and in what we're building here."

Dusty laughed, a deep, hearty sound that made Sandro smile despite himself. "I figured you'd say that, Kid. But listen, this isn't a reward. It's recognition. You've earned this opportunity, not just because of what you've done for the Divas Championship, but because of how you've been performing in the ring. You're on a seven-match winning streak, Sandro. The boys and girls in the locker room see that, and they respect it. Steve and I, well we are the ones who book you to win but nevertheless, we've gotta give you this chance because you deserve it, and if we don't, it might just freeze the hearts of everyone backstage."

Sandro hesitated, the weight of Dusty's words sinking in. He knew how important backstage morale was, especially with the tournaments coming up. If the other wrestlers saw that hard work and dedication didn't lead to opportunities, it could undermine everything they were trying to build. He didn't want to be the cause of that.

Dusty seemed to sense his hesitation. "Look, Kiddo, we're not just handing you a spot in the tournament. You still have to prove yourself. You'll need to find your own partner and impress both Steve and me this week and next week. Only then will we put you and your partner in the tournament. It's a chance, not a guarantee."

Sandro thought about it for a moment longer before finally nodding, more to himself than to Dusty. "Alright, Dusty. I'll do it. I'll find a partner and give it my all. But I'm doing this for the team, not for me."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Kid," Dusty said, the pride evident in his voice. "Now go finish that run and start thinking about who you want as your partner. We'll be watching."

"Thanks, Dusty," Sandro said, a new determination settling in his chest. "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't, Sandro. You're one of the good ones."

The call ended, and Sandro slipped his phone back into his pocket. He resumed his run, his mind now racing with thoughts of the upcoming tournament. He knew he needed to find a partner who shared his drive and determination, someone who could complement his in-ring style and help them both shine in the tournament.

As he ran, he mentally went through the roster of FCW talent, considering his options. There were a few names that stood out, especially among his group of friends minus Drew and Stu, who were the current tag team champions but he needed to think carefully. This was an important decision, one that could make or break their chances in the tournament.

By the time he finished his run and returned home, Sandro had a few ideas in mind. He quickly showered again, feeling refreshed and more focused than ever. The day was still young, and there was much to do.

He sat down at his desk, opening his laptop to start researching potential partners. He pulled up footage of past matches, analyzing their styles, strengths, and weaknesses. It wasn't just about finding someone who was good in the ring, it was about finding someone who shared his vision, and could work well with him as a team.

As he reviewed the footage, one name kept coming back to him which is Kofi Kingston. Kofi not only complemented him well personality wise but was also one of his closest friends, Kofi's high-energy and high-flying style alongside his infectious charisma had worked well with the ring persona he had.

Not only that, they also had trained together many times and even did some spar matches so they knew each other pretty well, and combined with him being a face persona, Sandro knew they had good chemistry in the ring.

Sandro decided to give Kofi a call. He dialed the number and waited as the phone rang. After a few moments, Kofi picked up, his voice bright and cheerful as always. "Hey, Sandro! What's up, man?"

"Hey, Kofi," Sandro replied, smiling at the other man's enthusiasm. "I've got a proposition for you. You got a minute to talk?"

"Of course, man. Shoot."

Sandro explained the situation, telling Kofi about the tag team tournament and the opportunity that Dusty and Steve had offered him. He laid out his thoughts on why he thought they would make a good team, emphasizing the shared chemistry they had while training.

On the other side of the call, Kofi listened intently to Sandro's proposition. As he absorbed Sandro's words, a wave of appreciation and humility washed over him. He was genuinely touched that Sandro, who had the pick of some of the top talents in FCW, had chosen him to be his partner.

Sandro could have easily gone with someone more established or more experienced, like Nick Nemeth or Sheamus, both of whom were heavyweights in their own right. But instead, Sandro had seen something in Kofi—something beyond just his flashy moves and charismatic presence. Sandro saw a partner who shared his vision, his drive, and most importantly, someone who he could trust inside the squared circle.

Kofi took a deep breath before responding. "Sandro, man, I just want to say how much I appreciate you thinking of me for this. I know there are a lot of other guys you could've chosen, so it means a lot that you see me as the right guy to have your back. It's an honor, bro, and I'm all in. We're gonna show Dusty and Steve that we're not just a tag team—we're the team to beat."

Sandro's smile widened, feeling a sense of relief and excitement all at once. "That's what I wanted to hear, Kofi. I knew you'd be the perfect partner. We're gonna kill it out there, man. But we've got some work to do first. I was thinking we should meet up early tomorrow and put in some serious training as a team. We need to get our timing, our chemistry, everything on point because the day after tomorrow, we've got our first tag match at the house show. This is our chance to prove we're not just talking—we're ready."

Kofi agreed enthusiastically. "Absolutely, Sandro. I'll be there bright and early. We've gotta show everyone what we're capable of and why we deserve that spot in the tournament. I'm pumped for this, man. Let's make it happen."

The two friends ended the call on a high note, both of them feeling the adrenaline that comes with the anticipation of something big. For Kofi, this was more than just a match.

It was an opportunity to step up to the next level, to prove himself not just to the fans and the higher-ups, but to himself. And for Sandro, this was about making a statement—both for the team and for his own journey in FCW.

The next morning, Sandro was up before dawn, his mind already buzzing with ideas and strategies for their training session. He arrived at the FCW Headquarters early, feeling the familiar thrill of preparation.

The gym was quiet, with only a few early risers already working out, but Sandro was focused. He made his way to the training area and saw Kofi already there, stretching and getting warmed up. They exchanged greetings, their energy palpable.

"Ready to get to work?" Sandro asked, a determined look in his eyes.

Kofi grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "You know it, man. Let's do this."

They started with some basic drills, running through a series of maneuvers to get their timing down. They practiced tagging in and out, working on fluidity and communication, and making sure they were always on the same page.

As the session progressed, they moved on to more complex sequences, simulating various match scenarios where they would need to rely on each other's strengths.

The training was intense but invigorating. Kofi's high-flying style complemented Sandro's more grounded strength, speed, and technical approach even though sometimes he also likes to fly in the air.

They worked on different combinations, brainstorming ways to maximize their impact as a team. Sandro had a knack for strategy, always thinking a few moves ahead, while Kofi's quick reflexes and agility added an unpredictable element to their offense.

As they worked, an idea began to take shape in Sandro's mind for a tag team finisher—something that would not only showcase their individual skills but also highlight their synergy as a team. He paused their session for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"Kofi, I've got an idea for a finisher," Sandro began, his voice filled with excitement. "I've been working on this new move I wanted to debut in my next singles match. It's a variation of the cutter—kind of like the DDP Diamon Cutter but with a combination of run and twist. I call it the Dragon Twist Cutter. What if we combined that with your Trouble In Paradise?"

Kofi's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "I'm liking the sound of that. So, how do you see it playing out?"

"Here's what I'm thinking," Sandro explained, his hands moving as he visualized the sequence. "We set it up so that you hit the Trouble In Paradise first—right on the back of the head. That should stun them just enough for me to get in position. Then I'll run toward them, and as they stagger and before falling down, I'll hit the Dragon Twist Cutter. My arms will circle around their head, and with the momentum, I'll fly up, twist around, and bring them down hard to the mat. It's fast, it's impactful, and it plays to both our strengths."

Kofi nodded, clearly impressed with the concept. "That sounds sick, man. Let's give it a try."

They spent the next hour perfecting the move, running through it repeatedly until they had it down to a science. The combination of Kofi's explosive energy and Sandro's precise execution made for a devastating finisher. By the time they were satisfied, both men were drenched in sweat but grinning from ear to ear.

"This is it, Kofi," Sandro said, panting slightly as he leaned against the ropes. "This is what's gonna set us apart. When we hit this move, there's no getting up from it."

Kofi nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "We've got something special here, Sandro. I can feel it. Tomorrow night, we're gonna show everyone exactly what we're made of."

The rest of their training session was spent fine-tuning their teamwork. They ran through different scenarios, practicing how to adapt to whatever their opponents might throw at them. Sandro took the lead in strategizing, but Kofi's input was invaluable, offering insights from his perspective as a high-flyer.

As the morning wore on, other wrestlers began trickling into the gym, and a few of them stopped to watch Sandro and Kofi train. There was a buzz in the air—word had gotten around that the two were teaming up, and there was a palpable sense of curiosity and excitement among their peers.

After a few hours, Sandro and Kofi finally called it a day, satisfied with the work they had put in. They were both exhausted but exhilarated, knowing they had laid the foundation for something special.

"Great work today, man," Sandro said as they cooled down. "I feel good about tomorrow."

"Same here," Kofi replied, stretching out his arms. "We've got this, Sandro. Let's go out there and make it happen."

They parted ways for the day, both of them heading home to rest and mentally prepare for the upcoming house show. Sandro spent the rest of the day reviewing their training footage, making notes on what they could improve and what they needed to focus on during the match. He also made sure to take care of his body, knowing that recovery was just as important as the training itself.

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.

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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