Sometimes Ricardo thinks he's psychic. He'd just been thinking about Alberto returning to the WWE the night before and here he's on the phone with his best friend, listening to him explain about what he's going to do, the plans he have. "... I haven't been happy in awhile, mi hermano. WWE was not fair to either of us, but perhaps things will be different now. Either way, I can't keep doing this. The indy scene is a young man's game. I am no young man."

There's more to the story, Ricardo can tell. But he's not sure he can find it in himself to ask, not right now. "Alright," he says softly. "I just want the best for you, El Patron. If you think this is it, then I will support you every step of the way."

"Gracias, hermano. I will never know what I did to deserve you, but I am so glad I did." Their talk goes to simpler things, about how Paige has been doing, Mike and AJ's child.

When Alberto has to go so he can fly out to Hell in a Cell, Ricardo stares ahead blankly and taps his fingers against his phone case, lost in thought. Finally deciding to let it all go, leaving it to the universe to straighten out, he wanders through his temporary apartment to find something to do until the PPV. He's not sure how the time passes but the next time he looks at the clock, it's nearly 6 PM in the States so he gets out his phone and starts following results since he can't watch it live.

Cena's open challenge starts the hour off and Ricardo holds his breath, just to release it in a tense exhale when Zeb comes out, introducing Alberto a moment later. It's ridiculous, the thought of those two working together but yet... here we are. He buries his face in his hands, trying to breathe. No matter how he tries to consider it, it makes no sense. "Why... por que..." The man had caused them both so much pain, it's just unfathomable. Even Alberto winning the US title, and affectively getting revenge on Cena for costing him his World title, is very little comfort to the former ring announcer.

He's happy for Alberto, he's sure he'll find every success that he could ever want here, but... he feels frustrated being here in India while so much is happening in the States, Alberto possibly going down a very bad road that could have long-lasting effects on his career. Not to mention Paige's own troubles. He's enjoyed every minute of his time in India, but considering how the most important people in his life are getting by without him, he can't help but wonder if maybe it's not worth it after all.

Even so, he wasn't lying when he said he wanted the best for Alberto. So he tweets his support to him, promising that they will always be hermanos. Both of them are busy and he doesn't want to get into something intense when they can only talk for a few minutes.

He does get to watch Raw, however, and witnesses both Alberto trying to become #1 contender for the World title, and Paige competing with and attacking Becky and Charlotte after they lose to Team Bella. He releases a breath when Alberto loses too, barely able to watch the promos between he and Colter that precede the matches. Based on the look on Alberto's face, he doesn't want much to do with the older man either, so Ricardo wonders why exactly he'd agreed to work with the other man. What his agenda is.

After all, the last time Ricardo had seen a looklike that on Alberto's face, he'd just attacked Ricardo with his own bucket and left him unconscious outside of the ring. So Ricardo decides to give him a little more time to explain himself, not wanting to ruin his happiness while he's freshly US champion.

But soon... soon, he'll have to do something. Even if it's long distance, even if it's only for a few moments. To try to fix things for Paige. To try to get an explanation from Alberto. "For now," he mumbles to himself, "my students need me."

So he squares his shoulders and goes to do his duty.