Rob felt his eyelids twitch a bit hearing that.
This was the first thing Michael should have done. But he delayed it until he finished discussing the arrangents. It showed how much he welcod Rob’s presence here.
Also, Rob wasn’t a stranger to these trainees. He had been a helper here and had helped these people assimilate with the locker room early in this year. So, he knew these trainees well enough. The only change was in his status.
Still, since Michael had already offered, it would be rude of him to turn it down. Moreover, this was his exact purpose to drop by the training center today. It was expected of him to introduce himself to the trainees in regards to his new role.
So, Rob rely nodded, causing Michael to summon the trainees to assemble. Soon, around fifteen trainees assembled before them, along with a few trainers standing behind them.
"Let introduce soone to you all. This is Rob," Michael began, only to receive several chuckles.
"Coach, we all know Rob. Moreover, he is quite famous these days," one of the trainees spoke, causing others to nod.
"Gilbert, shut your mouth and listen. I wasn’t done," Michael chastised the trainee and looked at everyone seriously.
"I don’t know what your relationship with Rob is until now, but from now on, you all better watch your attitude. He now has the power to decide your future."
Rob felt a bit irked with Michael’s words. His introduction seed well-aning, but it created a subtle gap in Rob’s relationship with the trainees. It widened the distance between Rob and the trainees.
"Rob will be taking over Robin’s role in the training center," Michael continued. "That ans, he has the final power to say whether any of you are ready to debut. So, you all better behave properly."
The insinuation was subtle. Michael was hinting that Rob might use his power to delay their debut, if they displeased Rob in so manner. It made Rob’s smile stiffen a bit.
"Hey guys, don’t mind Michael. I am still the sa Rob who cracked jokes with you," Rob chuckled, trying to reduce the impact of Michael’s words.
But the hesitant smiles made it clear that Michael’s words have found fertile ground already. Rob cursed Michael inwardly and continued.
"I will mostly be doing so administrative work around here. You don’t need to mind much. Your futures are still in the hands of Head Trainer Michael," Rob said with a smile and saw Michael’s eyes twitch a bit at that.
’Two can play the sa ga, old man. I am not so naive youth who would get carried away with so power. Compared to the bullshit I dealt with Robin, yours is still far behind,’ Rob smirked inwardly.
"It will be Michael who will be evaluating you all. Without his recomndation, none of you will be able to debut. As you know, he is your Head Trainer. His words carry a lot of weight. So, make sure you impress Michael," Rob laid it a bit thick.
Several trainees nodded hearing that. No one could find fault with what he said. After all, he was only reaffirming Michael’s prestige. Even Michael couldn’t pick faults in that.
The weird looks so of the trainers sported let Rob know that he had succeeded in his efforts. It was clear that the trainers didn’t expect him to state such things openly.
After all, admitting such things ant Rob was undermining his own importance and position. They didn’t expect Rob to play cards this unconventionally.
"My job is to recomnd you upwards based on the data provided by the trainers here. So, it is them you need to impress," Rob said jovially and winked at the assembled trainees.
The trainees laughed at his remark, easing the distance between them.
"That said, you can also reach out to if you have any doubts regarding your presentation inside the ring. My door will be open to you all if you ever feel the need to hone your promos, presentation, in-ring psychology and all those stuff," Rob explained, causing the trainees to nod in acceptance.
"But, before that, you all need to hone your in ring skills under the eyes of your trainers. That’s all from for now. You guys can get back to your training," Rob clapped his hands and dispersed everyone.
The trainees smiled and nodded, before getting back to their training. Michael gave Rob a sharp nod before heading over to oversee them. His shoulders were a bit stiff, but apart from that, he didn’t show any emotion.
Rob smirked as he watched him go.
*****
Late in the evening, when Rob was about to be done with his work, Mr. Wolfe ca to Rob’s office with a worried look.
"Rob, did Marie drop by your office today?" Mr. Wolfe asked once he entered.
Rob looked at him in surprise. He didn’t know why Mr. Wolfe was asking this question to him. Even if Marie ca in to negotiate her new contract, she didn’t necessarily need to co to see him.
While it happened sotis, it wasn’t a mandatory thing. So wrestlers would have a discussion regarding their future booking with their respective bookers like Diana did before they signed their contract. But most preferred not to complicate such things.
Wrestlers like Diana, who are close to becoming stars, had different requirents than normal wrestlers. Money and contract length are not the only factors for them re-sign with a promotion. They needed further assurances in regards to their booking to make sure the promotion had the right plans for them.
However, most wrestlers won’t worry about such things until they reach a certain point in their career. Till then, having a good contract will be enough for them.
"No, Mr. Wolfe. She didn’t drop by my office. I thought she would be eting with you to discuss her contract," Rob replied.
"That’s the issue. She didn’t co in today," Mr. Wolfe said, looking troubled. "It is not just her. So other wrestlers I was expecting today didn’t co in as well."
Rob’s mind jolted hearing that. He understood what Mr. Wolfe was worried about. Such things were not normal occurrences. If it was just a single wrestler, that could be attributed to so reason. But multiple wrestlers no-showing for contract discussions was a bad sign.
For wrestlers, no-showing was a big no no.
Wrestlers no-showing for appointnts and shows would create a bad impression on them. It would make promotions question their reliability. Their credibility will get hit.
So, wrestlers usually avoided such things. Even if they couldn’t make it to an appointnt or show, they would call ahead to inform the person to avoid misunderstandings.
However, several wrestlers had skipped showing up to their appointnts. From the looks of it, they hadn’t inford Mr. Wolfe either. This gave Rob a bad feeling.
"Did you reach out to them?" Rob asked after a few monts.
"I tried, but none of them answered," Mr. Wolfe said with an ugly face. "Andy is clueless as well."
Rob took a deep breath. He realized that this was a bit serious. The consequences of yesterday’s news had arrived. It was highly likely that these wrestlers were already in contact with other promotions already.
"Say Rob," Mr. Wolfe hesitated for a bit and spoke. "What are your plans for the won’s division? Especially, how essential is Marie for your plans? Is it possible to give her a title run next year?"
"No," Rob shook his head imdiately without any hesitation. "I already have plans for the title picture over the next year. And Marie isn’t part of it. Forget title run, with Evelyn, Selena, Dacey, and Diana already present, Marie won’t even get a title shot by next year."
"As for her importance, it would be good to have her. I do have plans for her. However, she will be in the second tier only. Just like Alanna," Rob replied candidly.
"Second tier in the sense?"
"Dacey-Diana, Evelyn-Selena, will be the primary storylines that will be told next year. They will be the ones the focus will be on. Alanna, Marie, and Leia will be featured, but their priority will be second tier."
"So, losing her wouldn’t have much of an impact, right?"
"The won’s division barely has eight wrestlers, Mr. Wolfe. Losing anyone would hurt. And we also need to account for unforeseen events like injuries and stuff."
"Forget about that, I am sure you understand what I’m hinting at here," Mr. Wolfe said, eyeing Rob sharply.
Rob indeed understood. It was highly likely that Marie had been offered a better contract by so other promotion. That ant, LWC will have to offer so concessions like title shots, title runs, more money, and such stuff to retain her.
So, Mr. Wolfe was asking how badly LWC needed Marie and to which extent they should concede to keep her. Rob remained silent for a while as he mulled about things.
"You can treat her normally," Rob spoke after a while. "You can offer a title shot to her and so increased ti. But, that’s it. Anything else I will not be able to promise."
"As for the title run, forget it. I’m planning to keep the title on Dacey for a long ti to cent her villain status. I didn’t even promise Diana when she ca in today."
And if Diana with her current popularity wasn’t qualified, there was no need to talk about Marie who was miles behind.
*****
A/N: Hey folks!
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