Wrestlemania. Two weeks away. Mike stares at the calendar and tries to figure out how that's possible. Shortly, he'll be preparing for the Hall of Fame, and then some of them will group together, watch Takeover Nights 1 and 2, and then prepare for their own nights of Wrestlemania. Mike's not fully sure what he's doing for Mania, hopes it's something, now that there's so little time remaining.
Speaking of not knowing, he realizes it's been awhile since he heard from Morrison, so he finds his phone and calls. It rings a few times, then finally John answers. "Hey, man," He greets him calmly.
"Hey, John, long time no hear," Mike teases him.
"Oh yeah, I know, just been busy," John says, trying to brush it off. "You know... uh, pre-Mania stuff. Writing new songs for us, stuff like that. Hey, we're filming our new video this week, right?"
"Of course," Mike says with a faint roll of his eyes. "When we meet up for Raw. We'll probably debut it next week."
"Sounds good."
They sit there awkwardly for a few moments, Mike breathing in and out slowly before he finally finds the courage to just ask. "So, John, why aren't you planning anything for Mania?"
It's a loaded question. Sometimes people can make plans just for the higher ups to ignore or decline your idea, and then you have nothing planned and you get thrown into some battle royal or other weak multi-man match there just to give people something to do. But something tells Mike this is something else, because John's been so quiet about all things Mania, only discussing it in the abstract to mull over Mike's plans, and maybe their problems with Bad Bunny.
When John exhales heavily, like he's releasing the weight of the world off of his shoulders, Mike sits tensely until he finally confesses, voice careful and level. "My knee is kinda shot. It has been since that match I had a few weeks back. Been doing rehab and hope to get cleared for Mania, but I'm not really sure if it'll pan out." He hesitates. "I'm really sorry, Mike. I did wanna have your back against Bad Bunny or Priest, but you know."
Mike grimaces. "Why didn't you tell me, man? I... I would've understood."
John sighs. "I just ... I dunno, I didn't want to add to your stress considering the way this month began."
Right. Winning the title, then losing it around a week later. It was pretty bad. He hadn't been in the best headspace, still isn't quite there to be honest. "But you're my best friend," he mumbles. "I wanna be there for you, like you're always there for me." Remembers John scrambling around trying to help him when his anxiety was getting the best of him, how he knelt by him on the floor, demanding towels- something, anything to try to help him. He grimaces, imagining that couldn't have felt great on his knee if it's as bad as John's making it sound. "I'm really sorry. I should've noticed-"
"Don't," John says softly. "I'm fine. I will be fine. Let's just... make your Wrestlemania as good as it can be, I had my moment last year at least. It's your turn."
Shit. Mike feels oddly emotional right now. "I dunno what I did to deserve a friend as good as you," he admits lowly.
John laughs. "Well, I'm not sure either," he teases. "But you're stuck with me. So let's conspire for Monday."
"Yessir," he says, shaking his head and trying to get his mind right for just that.
-x
Face to face, you wouldn't know it, Mike thinks. John doesn't limp, he still smiles easily, laughs loudly at Mike's dumb comments, and acts like nothing bothers him. But that's always been John, trying to hide the worst part of this business so no one can find more reasons to belittle him and find him lacking.
Still, they're side by side in the ring when Mike officially challenges Bad Bunny at Mania, and it's a relief when Jeff Hardy demands John get sent back during their match. It doesn't matter, Mike wins either way, and John shouldn't be out here risking further injury just because Mike's mouth tends to get him in situations he can't always find an exit from. Like when pain bursts up Mike's spine and he writhes around on the mat while Bad Bunny prances around him, mocking and smug.
All Mike can really focus on, however, is Bad Bunny accepting his challenge as he takes his leave. Damien will be in his corner, he thinks. John will be in mine. And maybe he'll be healed by then and we... we can make it a tag match. Or something. Either way, I'm going to make that little punk pay. Teach him this business requires actual work and true dedication, not just anyone can come in off the street and think they can make it here.
A once in a lifetime accomplishment, Mike thinks with an ugly sort of sneer spreading across his face. No one can take that from me. Definitely not this guy.