Tribute to the Troops. TLC. Smackdown. Being 2/3rds Best in the World. Sara's Christmas presents. AJ's Christmas presents. So many things are rattling around in Mike's head that when he arrives at Smackdown that evening and sees he's scheduled to host MizTV with Daniel Bryan, all he can do is stand there and gape at the sheet, certain that there's a mistake. That if he blinks enough times, the words will re-figure themselves into something that makes sense. When it doesn't, he squares his shoulders and marches off, right to Shane's office, where he proceeds to let him know how exactly he feels about Shane once again ignoring the very prospects of what they could be- how they could revive the tag division on Smackdown, which just keeps pingponging between New Day, The Bar, and The Usos.
It doesn't matter what he says, how sincere he is, Shane isn't swayed and Miz grits his teeth, heading for the ring to introduce Daniel. It sucks, he doesn't want to be out here for this, he wants to focus on tagging with Shane, or if not that, then his own career, but fine. He's a company man, so he does the best interview he can, given the uncomfortable situation. He was right, he was right ALL ALONG about Daniel, and not one person has looked him in the eye and told him so. But it's almost amusing, sitting back and watching Daniel insult everyone for not reading and how they're slowly killing the planet. It's a different tack taken by nost, that's for sure- especially in Vince McMahon's orbit.
Mike probably would've sat back and let Daniel have free reign for as long as they could get away with it before they started getting lectured for going over time- even wrestlers have a schedule to follow, after all- but then AJ comes to the ring, and Daniel manages to escape after throwing Mike into him- which, seriously, what the hell?!- just for AJ to snag him and try to get him back into the ring... just to be snagged and planted into the ground by a waiting Mike, the Skull Crushing Finale vibrating through his bones too as he sneers out at Daniel.
The resulting match at the end of the night doesn't go so well, even with Daniel on commentary, trying to assist Mike a time or two. He gets lock in the calf crusher and is forced to tap, just to salvage his leg, when he realizes he can get away without risking massive damage. He limps backstage and glowers at a waiting Shane, who merely blinks on, acting as if he doesn't understand why Mike looks so angry. "Are you happy now?" he snaps before limping past him. It stings that Shane doesn't see the possibilities, it's pathetic and he clearly expected better of the man.
Once he arrives home, AJ greets him with a soft kiss and guides Sara over to give Mike a hug, her arms circling his legs before he kneels down to scoop her up and kiss her. "Good morning, little Sara," he says softly to her, brushing his nose against hers and making her giggle.
"Hi, Daddy," she chirps, patting her fists against his shoulders as he hoists her up and smiles at her.
AJ follows them into the house, rubbing between Mike's shoulders slowly. "So Smackdown was a little rough for you this week." She sits down next to him on the couch and lifts his throbbing leg up, rubbing circles in his ankle. "I have one question, husband." When he looks up at her curiously, she smiles faintly. "Why exactly are you so certain about this whole Shane thing? I mean sure, he's amusing, and he's decent enough in the ring, considering, but...?"
Mike exhales. "I don't know. I just don't have a lot going on for me, and the tag division is seriously pathetic right now. It just seems like a good idea, easier to fit into than the US title scene or even the heavyweight title scene, but he won't even give it a real try." He makes faces at Sara, her giggles cheering him up. "I know I messed up the other week, but man, it was one time. He could at least give me one more opportunity... I know I'd be able to prove it to him then."
"Maybe he's just not that interested in being in a tag team," she suggests delicately. "Has he ever really competed in one at all?" Before Mike can respond, she holds a finger up. "Members of his own family doesn't count."
"No," he grumbles, smoothing Sara's hair out with his fingers.
"Then maybe that's it," she says. "He's just focused on being General Manager right now. But who knows, he might give you your chance some day. I wouldn't give up, but I wouldn't be quite so pushy either." She leans forward and kisses him. "It worked ok on me, but maybe not so well on your boss."
He sarcastically laughs at her before tugging her in close, kissing her back. "I'm lucky to have such a smart wife," he murmurs against her lips.
"Damn straight you are," she smirks, both of them easing apart when Sara starts to fuss from between them. "Everything's going to be alright."
"I hope so," he mumbles, torn between working with Shane like he wants to and situations repeatedly coming up where he ends up having Daniel's back. "Ugh. What a life, huh, Sara?" he asks, poking her nose softly. She just blinks at him and he chuckles, lifting her up and rushing off. "Let's go play outside!" he decides, needing the distraction.
Her happy squeals help to distract him, refocus his attention on the little girl in his arms who keeps getting way too big way too quickly when he's not looking.