It's been an interesting week, to say the least. Mike's paying for it, sore after both the match and Ivar's accompanying beat down, but he also feels justified. Worthy. After flying to Saudi Arabia to host MizTV, then flying back to the States for Raw, just to win in a fatal four way against three guys who didn't make that trip, yeah. Things are feeling all around ok for one Mike Mizanin right now.
And the fact that he has an opportunity at the Intercontinental title on the horizon only adds to how pleased he's feeling. "It feels like it was almost too easy," he murmurs on the phone to AJ that night. "Like I expect something else to crop up to ruin my chances, but... it's not, it's real, and it's mine."
"Yes it is," AJ says, smile clear in her voice. "I guess visiting Ricardo's school was the kick you needed, huh?"
"It definitely helped," Mike agrees. "Maybe I should send him a fruit basket or something." She giggles, and he sighs. "And you, thank you for always supporting me, no matter how down on things I get. I know it can be frustrating."
"Not- I don't think frustrating is the right word," AJ says. "You know, to an extent, I've been there, where nothing in my career was making me happy, and it took a long time to break out of that funk. But I also eventually had to make the choice to leave for my own physical well-being, you've always been for the most part pretty healthy, and never really felt the need to make that choice. And I'm glad that you still feel passion for the company, I'd never want you to lose that spark and ambition."
He smiles. "It was the main reason you fell in love with me, right?"
She scoffs. "Yes, Mike, your desire to beat other men up to win championships was top on my list of things I required in a suitable mate." Her voice softens after she gets the sarcasm out of her system and says, "But no, really. I know it's going to be a rough match, because it's Gunther, but you just outlasted three other men. That's... to me, that says you have a fighting chance against him. Just be smart, like I know you will, and who knows, maybe we'll just use your title belt as a nameplate at the Christmas table."
He laughs at that. "I'd love to see the look on my father's face if we did," he says.
"You know, so would I," AJ says. "I'm definitely going to try to arrange the table so we can fit that in."
"I love you," he says fondly.
She chuckles. "I love you too, husband." There's a pause, and then she hums. "You should get some sleep, I know it's late enough over there, and you've had a long few days. I'll see you in the morning."
"Ok," he murmurs. "See you then."
"Good night," she says softly.
He smiles. "Good night." Putting the phone down, he rolls over, cocooning himself up in the bedding. The last thing he visualizes before sleep claims him is once more holding the Intercontinental title overhead, successful. Victorious.
It has to happen.