The Royal Rumble. One of Mike's favorite times of year. The heady anticipation, the awareness that they're now officially on the road to Wrestlemania. It's intimidating. it's impressive. Mike's been here so many times in the past, and it still hasn't changed, it's still exciting. He doesn't draw a bad number, all in all, 25, and it gives him some hope, but the field is so packed, he's not really sure what his chances will be by the end of it.

His doubts grow when he sees the numbers before him- JD McDonagh, and R-Truth. Yeah, the chances are working against him, but he tries to cling to what he can as his turn comes and he races down to the ring. It doesn't last long, he gets eliminated by Gunther within six minutes, but at least he can say he tried. God, did he try.

He's barely stepped out of the arena when his phone rings and he exhales a slow breath, lips twitching up into a smile when he answers. "Hey."

"Hey," AJ says softly. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he says. "I, you know, I didn't really think I had a lot of a chance this year, but it was a dream for awhile, I guess."

"If it makes you feel any better, you outlasted 13 guys in there," AJ offers.

Mike laughs. "Did you really count everyone's times for that?"

"Well, no," she huffs, laughing too. "Someone kept track of it and it's on Wikipedia. I just counted from there."

He chuckles. "Well, if Wikipedia says it, it must be true," he teases her.

"I think so, yes," she says loftily, giggling afterwards. "But seriously, you're really ok?"

"I'm really ok," he says. "Besides I think I'm going to be too busy keeping R-Truth out of the fire to really focus much on any Royal Rumble disappointments anyway."

"Hmm. You know, uh, that seems to have come out of nowhere," AJ says after a moment. "I thought you couldn't stand the guy."

"Eh," Mike sighs. "I guess maybe I'm getting soft in my old age. He used to piss me off so bad, but I guess... I kinda feel bad for him now. Judgement Day definitely isn't going to be kind to him in the long run."

"Yeah, I guess I can see that," AJ murmurs. "Well, who knows, maybe it could lead to something good in the future. Another tag title run? Maybe?"

"Maybe," he says.

It's not really something that's at the front of his mind, but during Raw, when DIY has lost and Judgement Day as a whole attacks R-Truth, well, Mike goes running, tries to pull the save. Gets beat down as well for his troubles. And it's then that AJ's suggestion plays back in his mind and he huffs, rubbing at his sore ribs and thinks more seriously about her suggestion. Yeah. Maybe that could happen.