Steam filled the air as he turned on the shower, the hot water cascading from the rusty old showerhead. He glanced through the door, his daughter Laney just casually playing on her iPad, and stepped into the shower. Droplets splashed against his skin, and Stu-E couldn't help but sigh in relief as the warmth enveloped him. The sweat and grime from the match, mingled with a sense of accomplishment, began to wash away.
“Go Daddy, Go! Go Daddy, Go!” The echoes of the fan’s chant impregnate his consciousness as he leaned his muscular frame against the cool tiles of the locker room wall, his eyes closed as he let the water cleanse his aching body. The tension in his muscles slowly melted away, replaced by a sense of contentment. It was moments like this, when the world faded into the background, that he cherished.
“This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome” The shower was normally a refuge, a place where he could escape the chaos of the wrestling world, if only for a little while. But tonight, the gratification of the wrestling world was all he could hear as the noise of the fans filled his mind. The rivulets of water flowed down his sculpted physique, carrying away the sweat and dirt of the brutal at times contest with Hans von Richtoven.
With every drop, the memories of the match replayed in Stu-E's mind. The ‘British Pound’, the ‘Stun Cutter’, the adrenaline-pumping moments, the near-counts, the crowd's hysteria – all of it played out again in the theatre of his mind as he lathered himself up with soap. He savoured the sensation of the suds running down his skin, cleansing him both physically and mentally.
As Stu-E Price stood beneath the shower's embrace, the echoes of victory and the warm water blending into a soothing symphony, he couldn't help but smile as the soap washed away.
The Morning After…
On a crisp, early morning in Boston, the sun's gentle rays cast a warm glow on the streets, promising a day of possibilities. Stu-E Price, the grizzled and battle-hardened wrestler, found himself in an entirely different role as he strolled hand-in-hand with his young daughter, Laney. Together, they walked toward a quaint diner with a faded sign that read "Buddy’s Diner."
The aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee hung in the air as they pushed open the diner's creaky door. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of the place enveloped them like a cozy, familiar embrace. The clinking of dishes and the low hum of conversations filled the air, creating a comforting background melody as they took their seats at a small table just big enough for four.
Laney's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the laminated menu, her small fingers tracing the images of waffles. Her choice was as predictable as the sunrise; she had a deep fondness for Eggo waffles. "Daddy, can I have the waffles, pleeease?" she asked with a hopeful smile that could melt the toughest of hearts.
Stu-E Price couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's enthusiasm. "I saidf you could have anything you wanted, and you just want Eggos?," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. He flagged down a waitress with a warm smile and ordered the Eggo waffles for Laney, with extra syrup, of course.
For himself, Stu-E decided on a hearty breakfast sandwich and a large cappuccino, the rich aroma of coffee beckoning to him like an old friend. The waitress noted his order with a nod, and soon, the familiar sound of bacon sizzling on the griddle filled the air. Stu-E watched as the cook worked his magic, expertly crafting his breakfast sandwich.
As they waited, Stu-E couldn't help but steal glances at his daughter. Laney's eyes danced with curiosity as she observed the bustling diner, “Last night was really fun, Dad.” She exclaims, and truth be told it was. His reunion with his old friends gave him an idea for a little surprise and it went down a treat this time, it was Halloween after all.
“You can say that again, and that’s why today is your day, ok?” She just smiled back at him, both excited for what the day might bring, and the smell of her breakfast. When their food arrived, Laney's plate held a perfect stack of golden, crispy waffles, drenched in syrup, just as she liked it. Stu-E's sandwich was a delicious masterpiece of bacon, eggs, and cheese, all held together by a warm, toasted roll. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air as they dug into their respective breakfasts.
“Laney, what was the move you did on the thief as part of our entrance?” he asks out the blue, his daughter thinks for a milli-second and answers with a smile, “Step-Up Enziguri, Dad!” to which Price smiled and nodded.
“Remember that was just part of the show, if you ever need to use that when you’re in a tight spot, remember to get enough power in the lift and when you swing that foot try to angle your big toe in to their temple as hard as you can, right?”
And answer never came, her mouth already full of waffles so she simply nods in agreement.
As they savoured their meal, Stu-E and Laney shared stories and memories of the pay-per-view match, the scene fading to conversation to conversation but with a couple of things remaining on show; their happiness and bond as father and daughter. The simplicity of the diner and the comfort of their breakfast felt like a sanctuary, a place where the bond between them grew stronger with every shared moment. With the taste of bacon and the warmth of cappuccino, and Laney's delighted laughter, the morning in Boston was infused with the simple joys of life, thanks to a father's love and a daughter's simple request for Eggo waffles.
Later that day…
Back at the hotel, the late afternoon sun painted the room with a soft, golden hue. Stu-E Price lounged on the plush hotel bed, his feet propped up on the coffee table, and a cold glass of Dr. Pepper in hand. He lazily flipped through the TV channels, enjoying a moment of well-earned relaxation after last night’s exertions.
In the room adjacent to his, his daughter Laney was engrossed in her own world. She sat cross-legged on her bed, her small frame illuminated by the glow of her tablet's screen. Her bright brown eyes were fixed on the device, her fingers dancing over the touch screen as she explored YouTube's vast treasure trove of content.
Then, a flicker of excitement lit up Laney's face as her heart skipped a beat. Her fingers stopped in their tracks, her mouth forming an "O" of surprise. She leaned in closer to the screen, her eyes widening with amazement as she watched the video in question. It was a repeat of their entrance for the pay-per-view, and it was going viral.
"Wow," Laney muttered to herself, her eyes still glued to the video, which had already garnered hundreds of thousands of views. The unexpected discovery had her heart racing with joy.
Unable to contain her excitement, Laney leaped from her bed and raced into the living area where her father lounged. "Daddy, Daddy!" she exclaimed, her voice a chorus of delight.
Startled, Stu-E turned his attention away from the TV, his eyes meeting Laney's radiant face. "What's going on?" he asked with a grin.
"We're famous, Daddy!" Laney announced, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "Our wrestling entrance video has hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube!"
Stu-E set aside his remote and lowered his feet from the table, fully engaging with his daughter. His eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and pride. "You serious, Laney?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
With uncontainable excitement, Laney handed her tablet to her father, who took it and watched the video. The sight of the crowd's thunderous applause and the two of them making their grand entrance towards the wrestling ring, after their Halloween dress-up of Big Daddy & Hit Girl from the Kick Ass movie filled the screen.
As Stu-E Price watched, a wave of emotion washed over him. It wasn't just the views or the likes; it was the realization that their passion and hard work were resonating with so many people. It wasn’t new to him of course, but to his little eight-year-old she’d never known anything like this.
"Wow," he finally said, handing the tablet back to Laney. "You’re really making a mark, huh?"
Laney nodded vigorously, a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear. "Yes, Daddy, we are!"
In that hotel room, with the TV casting a flickering light, and Laney's tablet displaying their moment of triumph, the Price family shared a special bond and the promise of more exciting adventures in the world of professional wrestling.
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