Becoming A Wrestler

Chapter 178: 167. Jack Meeting WhatsApp Founders



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Sandro chuckled, appreciating the passion of the fans. Whether they were for him or against him, the important thing was that they were invested. That was what truly mattered in wrestling, keeping the audience emotionally hooked and the rest will come in, even if sometimes the story was a bit bizarre as long as the fans love it, everything would fall into place.

Several days passed in a blur for Sandro. His routine was disciplined, with training sessions that kept him in top physical shape and ensured he was always prepared for the demands of the ring.

Between workouts and strategizing for his storyline with Joe, he carved out precious moments for himself, these were spent with his girlfriends, April and Nicole. The three of them shared quiet dinners, movie nights, and walks in the park.

April teased Sandro about his tendency to always think about wrestling, while Nicole reminded him to savor the simpler moments. Their support grounded him, giving him the balance he needed to keep pushing forward.

On Saturday, as the Florida sun beamed through his apartment window, Sandro received a text from his father, Jack, informing to him that he would have a meeting scheduled with Jan Koum and Brian Acton, the founders of WhatsApp, who were seeking investment for their fledgling app.

Sandro himself had played a small role in this particular venture, providing Jan and Brian with insights that helped refine their pitch, in the hopes that they could convince his father to turkey invest in WhatsApp and have large control of this app in the future.

The scene was set at Nexum Core Headquarters in Orlando. In one of the sleek, modern meeting rooms, Jan Koum and Brian Acton, co-founders of the app they had named WhatsApp, sat nervously.

Their table was covered with printed documents, charts, books, and carefully crafted presentation materials. They had poured their hearts into this app and were now ready to pitch it to Jack, whom they thought was a visionary CEO, a man known for making bold, industry-defining investments.

The tension in the room was palpable as Jan and Brian whispered to each other.

"Do you think he'll see the potential?" Brian asked, glancing at the door.

"He has to," Jan replied. "This app will change everything, how people communicate, how the businesses operate. If we can show him the numbers and the vision, we've got a chance."

"I know that we've prepared everything, but do you think it'll be enough?" Brian asked, his tone betraying a hint of nervousness.

Jan nodded confidently. "We've got the data to back us up. The numbers don't lie, and we know this app will revolutionize how people communicate. We just need to make him see it."

Suddenly, the door to the meeting room opened. Jack entered, exuding his characteristic calm and focus. Behind him were his secretary and key members of his investment team, all carrying tablets and notepads. Jack smiled warmly as he approached, extending his hand to greet the pair.

Jan and Brian stood immediately, their faces lighting up with polite smiles. Jack returned their greeting warmly, shaking their hands and apologizing for the brief delay. "Gentlemen, my apologies for keeping you waiting. Some last-minute matters required my attention."

Jan and Brian both stood, shaking his hand and assuring him it was no issue.

"It's an honor to meet you," Jan said, his voice earnest. "We appreciate you giving us this opportunity."

Jack nodded, taking a seat at the head of the table while gesturing for everyone else to sit as well.

"So," Jack began, leaning forward slightly, "are you ready to show me what you've got?"

Jan and Brian exchanged a quick glance, silently bolstering each other's confidence. Jan took the lead, standing up and clicking a button on a remote that lit up the large screen at the front of the room.

"Absolutely," Jan said. "What we're presenting today is not just an app, it's a vision for how communication can evolve. Let me walk you through it."

The screen displayed a clean, minimalist interface, WhatsApp's hallmark. Jan began explaining their concept in detail, outlining its core principles:

1. Simplicity – A messaging app that is intuitive, fast, and easy to use, with no unnecessary frills.

2. Reliability – A platform that ensures messages are sent and received quickly, even on weak connections.

3. Privacy – End-to-end encryption to protect users' communications.

4. Global Connectivity – Breaking down barriers between countries and allowing people to connect instantly, regardless of location.

Jan took the lead, outlining WhatsApp's vision. "Our goal is simple: to create an application that allows seamless, real-time communication anywhere in the world. No ads, no gimmicks, just pure connection."

After the vision, Jan began explaining the technical aspects. "We've optimized it for low bandwidth usage, which is crucial for areas with weaker internet connections. The interface is intuitive and clean, and we've built it with privacy at its core."

Brian chimed in, pointing to a chart that showed their early test user growth. "As you can see, even in our beta phase, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We've kept the app ad-free, and testers of our app appreciate that we prioritize functionality over monetization."

Jack listened intently, his sharp eyes scanning the data and occasionally jotting down notes. His investment team whispered quietly among themselves, clearly intrigued.

Jan shifted the focus to the financial projections. "We're not just creating a product, we're building a platform. With your investment, we can develop and scale quickly, expand our server capacity, and roll out features that will attract millions of users."

Jack raised an eyebrow at the mention of scalability. "Millions?" he asked, his tone measured.

Brian nodded confidently. "Yes. Our testing in the markets has shown that it's a simple and easy to use feature, combined with adds free and no cost needed to send a text, will attract millions of users both in domestic and international markets."

Jan added, "With the right backing, we believe WhatsApp could reach hundreds of million users within five years."

The room fell silent for a moment as Jack leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.

"hundreds of millions of users," he repeated softly, almost to himself. He glanced at one of his advisors, who nodded subtly.

Jack's gaze returned to Jan and Brian. "You've got an ambitious vision, and I appreciate that. But tell me this, how do you plan to sustain this model long-term if you're not generating revenue from ads?"

Jan and Brian had anticipated this question. Jan smiled slightly as he answered, "Our focus is on user growth first. Once we've built a large enough user base, there are plenty of monetization strategies we can explore. But we believe that maintaining an ad-free environment is key to building trust and loyalty."

Brian followed up, "We're not ruling out subscription models or premium features down the line, but for now, we want to stay true to our core principles."

Jack nodded thoughtfully, appreciating their conviction. He was a man who valued authenticity in business and saw potential in their honesty.

After a few more questions from Jack and his team, the presentation concluded. Jan and Brian sat down, both feeling a mix of relief and nervous anticipation.

Jack sat in silence for a moment, his eyes on the documents in front of him. Then he spoke.

"I'll be honest with you," Jack began, his tone even. "What you're proposing is risky. But it's also groundbreaking. You're not just solving a problem; you're creating a new way for people to connect. That kind of innovation doesn't come around often."

He leaned forward, meeting their eyes. "I'm willing to take that risk. Nexum Core will invest in WhatsApp. We will invest 50 million dollars."

Jan and Brian's faces lit up with relief and excitement, never expecting to revive such an amount. They stood immediately, extending their hands to Jack, who shook them firmly.

"Thank you, Mr. Jack," Jan said, his voice filled with gratitude. "We won't let you down."

"I'm counting on it," Jack replied with a smile. "Let's get to work."

As the meeting wrapped up, the atmosphere was electric. Jan and Brian left the room with a renewed sense of purpose, their minds racing with possibilities for the future of WhatsApp.

Back in his office, Jack leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window. The city skyline stretched before him, a reminder of the ever-evolving world he had dedicated his life to shaping.

He picked up his phone and dialed Sandro's number.

"Sandro," Jack said when his son answered. "The meeting went well. I think we're onto something big here."

Sandro's voice was warm with pride. "I knew you'd see the potential. Congratulations, Dad."

Jack chuckled. "Thanks, son. Now, let's see where this ride takes us."

After the call ended, Sandro leaned back on his couch, letting out a long sigh. His father's words lingered in his mind. "We're onto something big." It wasn't just a compliment; it was a reminder of the stakes involved.

The investment into WhatsApp was monumental, and Sandro couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for the small role he played in its inception. He stared out his apartment window as the Florida sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple.

Two days flew by, and it was Monday evening. Sandro was in the locker room, dressed in casual athletic gear, chatting with Taylor and Joe. The three wrestlers were deep in discussion about the upcoming match between Taylor and Joe later that night.

Taylor at this time leaned against the lockers, tapping his foot rhythmically on the tiled floor. "Alright, so here's the plan," Taylor began, his tone focused but relaxed. "We'll start with some back-and-forth grappling to set the pace. Joe will take control early on with a few power moves to establish dominance."

Joe, his massive frame making the bench he was sitting on look small with his title beside him, nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds good. After that, I'll slow things down with some submissions. I'll work your arm, go behind your back, and make it look like I'm setting up for the Coquina Clutch. That'll give the fans something to anticipate."

Taylor grinned, running a hand through his hair. "Perfect. We'll keep the intensity up toward the middle where you keep dominating over me, and with me countering your moves here and there to show I've still got fight in me. Then we'll build to the finish."

Sandro, sitting cross-legged on a bench nearby, listened intently. His focus was unwavering as the two wrestlers laid out their plans. He respected the craft and the effort that went into planning a match, knowing firsthand how critical every detail was.

After Taylor and Joe finished discussing the sequence, Sandro leaned forward. "Alright, so near the finish, when Joe locks Taylor into the Coquina Clutch, my music will hit. That'll be the distraction you need."

Joe chuckled, his deep voice filling the room. "And I suppose we're both supposed to look like we've never seen a distraction before?"

Sandro smirked. "Exactly. You and the referee both will be mesmerized by my entrance music, giving me just enough time to sneak in from the crowd. I'll hit you with my finisher but...well, let's just say that there would be a surprise, and then I'll drag Taylor over you to get the win."

Taylor laughed, shaking his head. "Classic Sandro. Always the showman."

Joe raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "A surprise, huh? Should I be worried?"

Sandro shrugged, his grin widening. "Let's just say it'll be memorable. But don't worry, Joe, I know you're a pro. Improvise if you have to."

Joe laughed heartily, slapping his knee. "Oh, don't worry about me. Whatever you've got planned, I'll roll with it." With the plan locked in, the three men stood, their camaraderie evident as they exchanged nods of understanding. It was moments like this, behind the scenes, in the locker room, that reminded Sandro why he loved the wrestling business.

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 19 (2009)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: FCW

Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style

Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)

Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions


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