Chapter 10: 10. First Day Of Training
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That night, as he lay in bed, Sandro reflected on the journey that had brought him here. From his childhood dreams to the rigorous training with IRS and Blackjack Mulligan. He was ready to give it his all and make his mark on the wrestling world. With his parents arriving soon to celebrate his achievement and help him settle in Tampa, and Windham's encouragement driving him forward, Sandro felt more motivated than ever. He was on the path to greatness, and nothing could stand in his way.
The next day, Sandro woke up at 5 AM. He started his day with a morning run, pushing himself through the quiet streets for an hour. Returning to his hotel room, he took a brisk shower, changed into brand-new workout clothes, and had a light breakfast before heading toward the FCW Facility. He arrived at the training area at 7 AM sharp, just as Dusty had instructed.
Upon entering, Sandro didn't see Dusty or Steve but noticed several wrestlers already training. Among them were Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler known as Nick Nemeth at this time, and Sheamus.
Seeing these familiar faces from his future memories, he was thunderstruck, recognizing them as future world champions in WWE. It was a surreal moment, standing before the men he knew and would only see on television or YouTube.
As Sandro stood in a daze, Nick Nemeth noticed him. Recognizing the look of a newcomer one he had once worn himself Nick paused his training and approached Sandro. He waved a hand in front of Sandro's face, calling out to him, "Hey there, you okay?"
Sandro blinked and focused on Nick, who stood before him with a friendly smile. "Uh, yeah, sorry. I was just... amazed to see everyone here," he admitted, shaking Nick's outstretched hand.
"Don't worry about it," Nick said with a grin. "I'm Nick Nemeth. Nice to meet you."
"Sandro," he replied, his voice steadying. "Nice to meet you too, Nick."
"First time here?" Nick asked, sensing Sandro's nerves.
"Yeah," Sandro nodded. "How did you know?"
"Your expression gave it away," Nick chuckled. "Plus, I know everyone here and haven't seen you before."
Sandro smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "I just signed a training contract yesterday. Dusty told me to be here at 7 AM for training."
"Well, you're in the right place," Nick said encouragingly. "Dusty and Steve will probably be here soon. In the meantime, why don't I introduce you to some of the guys?"
Sandro nodded, grateful for Nick's friendliness. As they walked over to the training rings, Nick pointed out Kofi Kingston, who was working on his high-flying moves, Drew McIntyre, who was lifting weights, and Sheamus, practicing some of his strikes with a trainer.
"Kofi, Drew, Sheamus, meet Sandro," Nick called out. "He's the new guy starting today."
Each of them greeted Sandro warmly, offering handshakes and saying hello to him. Kofi's energetic smile, Drew's firm handshake, and Sheamus's hearty laugh made Sandro feel more at ease. It was clear that despite their future success, they were all grounded and supportive of newcomers.
"Welcome to FCW, fella," Sheamus said with his thick Irish accent. "Hope you're ready for some tough training."
"I'm ready," Sandro replied confidently. "I've been training hard to get here."
"That's the spirit," Drew said, his Scottish accent makes him look more mature. "Stick with it, and you will fit in well with everyone here."
As Sandro continued to chat with his future colleagues, Dusty and Steve entered the facility. Dusty called out, "Alright, everyone, gather around!" The wrestlers quickly assembled, forming a circle around Dusty and Steve.
"Good morning, everyone," Dusty began. "We have a new recruit starting today. Sandro, step forward."
Sandro did as instructed, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "This is Sandro," Dusty continued. "He's got the passion and determination we're looking for. Let's make sure he feels welcome and help him get up to speed."
Steve nodded in agreement. "Today, we're going to put everyone through a series of drills and matches. Sandro, stick with Nick for now. He'll show you the ropes."
With that, the group dispersed to their respective training stations. Nick led Sandro to one of the practice rings. "Alright, first things first," Nick said. "Let's see what you've got. Show me some basic moves."
Sandro nodded and stepped into the ring. He began with a series of rolls, then moved on to lock-ups, takedowns, and basic strikes. Nick watched closely, occasionally offering pointers and corrections. Sandro took it all in, grateful for Nick's guidance.
"Not bad," Nick said after a while. "You've got the basics down. Now, let's work on some more advanced techniques."
They spent the next couple of hours running through various drills, from suplexes to submission holds. Sandro's muscles burned, but he pushed through, determined to prove himself. By the time they took a break, he was drenched in sweat but felt a sense of accomplishment.
Dusty and Steve observed from a distance, nodding in approval at Sandro's progress. "He's got potential," Steve remarked. "With the right training, he could be a star."
Dusty agreed. "He's got the heart and the drive. That's what we need here, the first homegrown talent for FCW and WWE. Let's just hope Vinnie Mac still has his vision."
As the day went on, Sandro continued to train with Nick and the others. He sparred with Kofi, learning the art of high-flying moves, and worked on power moves with Drew and Sheamus. Each wrestler offered valuable insights, helping Sandro refine his skills.
By the end of the day, Sandro was exhausted but satisfied. He had given it his all and felt that he had made a positive impression. Dusty and Steve called everyone together for a final meeting.
"Great work today, everyone," Dusty said. "Sandro, you did well. Keep that determination, and you'll go far."
"Thank you, Dusty," Sandro replied, feeling a swell of pride.
"Training starts again tomorrow at 7 AM," Steve added. "Get some rest, and we'll see you all then."
After that, everyone dispersed, and Sandro, who was about to leave and return to his hotel, heard his name being called. Turning around, he saw Nick Nemeth calling him while he stood with Kofi, Drew, and Sheamus.
"Hey, Sandro!" Nick called out. "Come over here for a second!"
Sandro approached them, curious. "What's up?" he asked.
"We were thinking," Nick began, "since you're new here and only know a few of us, how about we all grab lunch together? It'd be a good chance to get to know each other better."
Sandro's heart skipped a beat. Lunch with some of his favorite wrestlers from his past life was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "Absolutely," he said eagerly. "But only if I can treat you all to lunch. It's the least I can do to repay your guidance and friendliness on my first day."
The four of them exchanged looks and immediately shook their heads. "No way," Kofi said with a grin. "It's what we do here. We look out for each other."
Sandro, however, was insistent. "I know how deep and tough this industry can be. I consider myself very lucky to have met you guys, who have been so welcoming and kind. Please, let me do this."
Seeing that Sandro wasn't going to back down, the four of them reluctantly agreed. "Alright, alright," Sheamus said with a chuckle. "But the next one's on us."
Sandro nodded, satisfied. The five of them then left the FCW building and headed to a nearby restaurant. As they settled into a booth, the atmosphere was relaxed and filled with friendship.
"So, Sandro," Drew began as they looked over the menus. "Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from?"
"I'm from a pretty well off family," Sandro admitted, not wanting to sound boastful. "My parents, Jack and Taylor, have always supported my dreams, even if it meant pursuing something as unconventional as wrestling."
The group exchanged surprised glances. "A rich kid wanting to be a wrestler?" Kofi said, clearly intrigued. "That's not something you hear every day. Why not just enjoy the easy life rather than taking all the pain from the training we had?"
Sandro smiled, remembering his childhood. "Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being in the ring. Watching legends like The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Undertaker inspired me. I realized that being wealthy doesn't mean I can't chase my dreams. The pain and hard work of training teaches me to stay grounded and humble."
Nick nodded thoughtfully. "That's a solid perspective, I could appreciate that. This business isn't easy, and having a strong motivation like that will take you far and of course, everyone will think twice to mess with you when they know what kind of background you have."
Kofi, Drew, and Sheamus nodded their head and gave their agreement to what Nick had just said, at least Sandro will face much better treatment than them and that's a good thing because at least his first experience doesn't have to be rough.
As they continued their conversation, the food arrived, and the group enjoyed a hearty meal. They shared stories about their journeys in wrestling, the challenges they faced, and the unforgettable moments they experienced. Sandro listened intently, soaking in every piece of advice and anecdote they offered.
Kofi recounted his early days in development, the struggles of finding his character, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Drew spoke about his journey from Scotland, the sacrifices he made, and the determination needed to make it in the industry. Sheamus shared tales of his time wrestling in Europe, the grueling matches, and the thrill of finally making it to the big leagues.
"One thing you'll learn quickly fella," Sheamus said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "is that the friendships you make here are as important as the skills you develop. We all have each other's backs, both in and out of the ring."
Sandro nodded, feeling a deeper sense of belonging with each passing moment. "I can see that," he said. "I already feel like I've found a second family here."
The group smiled, appreciating Sandro's sincerity. As lunch came to an end, they made their separate ways, with some heading back to the FCW facility while others returned to their residence.
As for Sandro, he returned to his hotel room, and after taking a nice hot shower, he received a phone call from his mother. When he accepted the call, he heard his mother greeting him and then informing him that she and his father had arrived in Tampa, and asked Sandro at what hotel he was staying at.
Hearing that Sandro smiled and told his mother the name of the hotel he stayed at. Having received the name, his mother told him to wait for her and his father, because they would have dinner together after they checked in and took some rest at the hotel.
Sandro promised and soon the call ended, then Sandro waited for around an hour before he received a text message saying that his father and mother had checked in on the president suite of the hotel, told him their room number, and informed him that they would have dinner together at 7 PM.
Receiving the text, Sandro replied by saying that he received the information and then took a sleep for around 2 hours waking up at 6 PM. Then he took a shower once again, changed his clothes, and headed toward his father and mother's room.
As Sandro walked through the hotel corridors, he felt a mix of excitement and contentment. It had been a long and fulfilling day, and he was eager to share his experiences with his parents. He arrived at the presidential suite and knocked on the door. It opened to reveal his mother, Taylor, who immediately pulled him into a warm embrace.
"Sandro, it's so good to see you!" Taylor exclaimed, holding him tightly. "We've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too, Mom," Sandro replied, smiling as he returned her hug. "It's great to have you both here."
Jack stepped into the doorway, his face lighting up at the sight of his son. "There's our wrestling superstar!" he said, pulling Sandro into a bear hug. "How was your first day?"
"It was amazing," Sandro said, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "But let's talk about it over dinner. Mom must have been starving now."
Taylor laughed, her eyes twinkling. "You know me too well. Let's go find a nice place to eat."
The three of them left the hotel and headed to a nearby fancy restaurant. They were seated at a cozy table, and as they looked over the menus, Sandro began recounting his day.
"So, I arrived at the facility early, just as Dusty told me to," Sandro began. "I was a bit nervous at first, but then I met some of the guys who would become my coworkers in the future. They were Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, Nick Nemeth, and Sheamus."
Taylor and Jack listened intently, nodding along as Sandro spoke. "They sound like a great group," Jack said. "Did they treat you well?"
"They were amazing," Sandro said. "Nick especially took me under his wing. He introduced me to everyone and helped me with my training. They were all so supportive and friendly. We even went out for lunch together after training."
"That's wonderful to hear," Taylor said, her eyes filled with pride. "It's so important to have good people around you, especially in a new environment."
Sandro nodded. "Yeah, it made a huge difference. They shared a lot of their experiences and gave me some great advice. It's like I've already started to build a new family here."
The waiter arrived with their food, and they paused their conversation to enjoy the meal. As they ate, Sandro continued to share more details about his day the drills, the matches, and the encouraging words from Dusty and Steve.
"You've really made a great start, Sandro," Jack said, his voice filled with pride. "I knew you had it in you. Keep working hard, and soon you will become a champion in FCW!"
Taylor nodded in agreement. "We're so proud of you, Sandro. It's clear that you belong there and that you're very happy at what you're doing right now."
"Thanks, Mom and Dad," Sandro said, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Your support means everything to me."
They spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing, enjoying each other's company. It was a perfect ending to an incredible day. As they finished their meal and prepared to head back to the hotel, Sandro felt a deep sense of contentment.
Back in his hotel room, Sandro lay in bed, reflecting on the day's events. He thought about the camaraderie he had already begun to build with his fellow wrestlers, the guidance and encouragement from Dusty and Steve, and the unwavering support of his parents. "This is just the beginning," he thought to himself. "I'm going to give it everything I have and make them all proud." With that final thought, Sandro closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep with a smile on his face.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: None
Wrestling Style: None
Faction: None
Championship History: 0