Stu-E stood at the centre of the bustling meet-and-greet, a vibrant energy humming through the room. His signature smirk played on his lips as kids crowded around, their eyes wide with excitement and curiosity. The youngest fans clutched posters, action figures, and trading cards, thrusting them toward him for autographs. Older kids peppered him with questions, their voices rising above the crowd.

“Who are you teaming with at Havoc?” one boy asked, his face glowing with anticipation. “Is it Alexis Rose? She’s back, right?”

Stu-E tilted his head, his piercing gaze locking on the boy as he leaned in slightly. “Ah, Alexis,” he said, drawing out her name with a hint of nostalgia. “She’s a bit of a legend, isn’t she? Been a while since we’ve seen her in the ring. Could be her, but you know me—I like to keep things unpredictable.”

He didn’t really know Alexis, but knew enough to know she was a former Women’s Champion, the longest reigning in ACE which had to count for something. With the long layout she’d no doubt have something to prove.

“What about Erica Martinez?” another voice chimed in, a girl clutching a foam championship belt. “She’s, like, been through so much. She’s unstoppable!”

Stu-E nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “Erica? She’s fierce. Been to hell and back, like you said, and somehow, she’s stronger for it. Teaming with her would definitely be... interesting.”

It was unusual that she’d never really crossed paths with him, he’d stood back and watched from the sidelines as all the craziness surrounding her made her the centre stage choosing to just focus on his own business, instead.

The crowd murmured in agreement, but another question cut through the chatter. “What about Michelle Learner? You know, Sean Parker’s fiancée? That would be awesome!”

Stu-E chuckled, a low and magnetic sound. “Michelle’s got heart, no doubt. Yeah, that could make for an interesting alliance. Or... maybe too close for comfort?” He raised an eyebrow, letting the crowd stew in the intrigue for a brief moment.

“But, Laney asked me to ask her, so I did, but… I knew the only man for her was Sean; I’m really happy for them.”

And he meant that, in this business it’s actually nice to see a normal couple just doing their thing.

“Sarah Callahan!” someone shouted from the back. “She’s tough!”

“Sarah,” Stu-E repeated, his tone thoughtful. “Tough is an understatement. She’s got that no-quit attitude, which I respect. Teaming with her? That’d be a force to reckon with.”

Although he hadn’t had much dealings with Sarah, he knew she was the type of girl to not take any shit from anyone. And with her martial arts background, she’d definitely fight until the referee said it was over.

The room buzzed with speculation, but a hushed tension filled the air as a boy near the front whispered, “What about Starlight Kid? Even after... you know... the bell thing?”

Stu-E’s smirk widened into a wolfish grin. “Ah, Starlight Kid. It wasn’t her fault, you kids know that, right? Just one of them things, some people might say I owe her a favour.”

It’s true, the rumblings had been going on about why it happened after he benefitted out of the confusion. No matter how many times he’s explained you keep going until the hear the referee say enough, there always seemed to be someone to question it. Maybe it was best to avoid teaming with her, at least so soon after the event.

“But what if it’s someone we don’t know?” a little girl asked, clutching her Stu-E plush toy. “A mystery partner?”

Stu-E straightened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “A mystery, huh? Now, wouldn’t that be something? Keeps you all guessing, and me? I love surprises.”

The kids erupted into a cacophony of theories, their excitement spilling over as Stu-E ruffled a few heads and signed another round of autographs. As he moved through the crowd, he left a trail of suspense and exhilaration, his enigmatic answers feeding the whirlwind of speculation.

Getting to the door, he spun around and held his arms out to shush the crowd. “I tell you what, one of you kids here can decide for me”. Price smiles as the crowd explodes into a chorus of high pitched voices. For a moment he allows the crowd to shout suggestions across until closing his eyes and slowly spinning around.

His arms outstretched, the crowd is watching his every move, the noise lowering until he stops, facing the crowd and points out. Slowly he opens his eyes, to find he’s landed on an overweight Ginger kid who can’t believe his luck.

“Well then, kid; who is it?” Price smiles and waits, the kid is overcome with shock that he’s been chosen to pick.

“Umm… Errr… I say go the mystery woman!”

The crowd erupts into discussions on top of discussions about what the kid should have said, and what he shouldn’t have said, but Price is a man of his word.

“Well then, as your World Champion, I have to go with what the fans say, and they’re telling me that come Havoc, the DILF Club is hopefully getting a new mystery member!”

He waves to the crowd in front of him and goes to leave, as the scene fades.