Author's Note: So I have decided to branch out and begin writing about AEW as well. I have a few stories planned with different wrestlers from the company and I am excited about them. I have two completely planned out so I am going to start with those 2 first. This is the first of the two. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I only own my OC Elise. The face claim for Elise is Jamie Chung. I am in no way affiliated with AEW & I don't own anything or anyone that you recognize.

All The Same

Elise hung up the phone, eyes burning with unshed tears.

She couldn't believe she had just received that call.

She had spent the better part of the last 4 years working with Stardom. She had even relocated to Japan to dedicate more time to her work.

Now she was unemployed.

She wasn't even sure how to process her current situation. Her job had taken up so much of her time she didn't know what she would do without it. She felt empty.

She wiped away a tear that rolled down her cheek. Crying wasn't going to do her any good. It wouldn't get her job back.

She needed someone to talk to. She grabbed her phone and typed a quick message to the one person she was certain would be able to give her some solid advice.

You will never guess what kind of day I am having.

She didn't have to wait long for a reply. She opened the message.

I'm guessing it isn't a good one from the sound of your message. You okay?

No, I'm not. I just got the call that I have been released from my contract. I have been fired. I have no idea what I am going to do.

I am so sorry.

It's not your fault.

I know but, I know how much you loved that job and how much hard work you put into it. Don't worry you will find work with another promotion.

Thanks Kenny. I hope you are right.

Trust me. You are great at what you do. You will be back on your feet in no time.

You're a good friend Kenny Omega.

I try. He replied with a laughing face emoji.

I think I am going to go out and try to cheer myself up.

I think that is a good idea. Don't let this get you down. Everything is going to be okay.

Thank you. She added a smiley face.

She tucked her phone into the pocket of her jeans and grabbed her purse, jacket, and keys. She knew exactly what would make her feel better.

Elise sat on one of the wooden stools in the corner of the room, a cup of green tea sat on the counter in front of her and a bob-tail calico was curled up on her lap. She stroked the cat's ears affectionately as she stared out the floor to ceiling windows in front of her. This was her favorite place to hang out. Her apartment didn't allow pets so she went to the cat cafe whenever she could.

She was surprised to see a familiar head of curly hair pass in front of the windows. Kenny walked through the front door and up to the stool beside her and sat down.

"Hope this seat isn't taken." He smirked.

"I guess it is now." She smiled. She gently ran her fingers down the calico's back. She repeated the motion as she talked with Kenny. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"I figured I would find you here." A black cat approached him and he casually scratched it behind the ears.

"You were looking for me?"

"Yea. I know you've had a sucky day and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"That's sweet." She smiled sheepishly. Kenny had always been a very good friend to her, even though she didn't get to see him as often as she liked. They had their first encounter shortly after she moved to Japan from the states. She had been in a bit of a culture shock after signing with Stardom but Kenny had been very kind to her and helped her learn her way around Japan. She had studied hard to learn Japanese and was now fluent in Japanese, her native English, and her parents native Korean.

"You're my friend." He shrugged his shoulders as he continued to pet the cat. "I know how hard it is to have to start somewhere new when you have dedicated a long time to one company, although it has to be harder when it isn't your choice."

"Yea it sucks. I really loved working with Stardom." She sighed.

"Don't let it get you down though. You are really talented Elise. You are going to get another contract soon."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kenny."

He nodded his head, "There are a lot of promotions out there and I am sure plenty of them will be itching to sign you."

She giggled, "I don't know about that but, hopefully someone will want me."

"You're underestimating yourself." He pointed out.

"Not really. You're one of the best, if not the best in the world, Kenny." She took a sip of her tea. "I'm alright but, there are a lot better women out there than me."

"If you think I'm the best in the world then you should take my opinion seriously and believe me when I say you are a lot better than you think you are."

Elise blushed, "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know what you were saying - of course I value your opinion and take it seriously."

"It's okay. Just don't be so down on yourself. Okay?"

She nodded her head in response.

"Maybe we will get signed to the same company?"

"New Japan isn't going to hire me if Stardom released me." She gave him a confused look.

"I'm not resigning with New Japan."

Elise stared at him, mouth agape. "What? But you're like the biggest thing in New Japan."

"I feel like I've hit a brick wall there. I've done all that I can do. It's time to move on to something else."

"Wow. I guess I never thought you would leave New Japan."

"I know. It was a hard decision to make. I just felt like I needed something different in my life right now."

"I can understand that." She smiled at him. She reached over and gently nudged him with her elbow. "Hey I guess we are kind of in the same boat. Starting over and all that?"

"Yea. I guess so." He smiled. "Want to go get some lunch then I can walk you back to your apartment."

Elise smiled. "That would be awesome." She smiled and finished her tea. She said goodbye to the cat and paid for her tea while Kenny waited for her by the door.

She was glad that Kenny had sought her out. She really needed the company.

Kenny was sitting on the couch in his apartment. He had just returned from lunch with Elise. They had gone to a restaurant near her apartment then he had walked her home to make sure she arrived safely. She had thanked him for spending the afternoon with her. She was smiling when she went into the apartment building.

He was just grateful he could provide her with a short distraction after the stressful day she had. He just wished there was a way he could help.

He had been offered a contract from WWE, a hefty contract. All of the fans were also speculating about him joining AEW because of his connection to the Young Bucks, Cody, and Adam Page.

He had given both options a fair consideration but, he knew where he needed to go to follow his heart.

Now he was wondering if his comment about Elise and himself ending up in the same company was all that far fetched.

He grabbed his cellphone. He knew it would be late in the U.S. but, he was sure the people he wanted to talk to would still be awake.

He found the first name in his contacts and selected it. It rang three times before the man on the other end answered the phone.

"Hey Kenny. What's up?" A dog could be heard barking in the background. It was clear that Cody was outside with Pharoah.

"Hey Cody. I have something I need to talk to you guys about. Give me a minute I am going to patch in Nick and Matt, okay?"

"Sure." Cody waited patiently while Kenny created the conference call on his cell phone.

After Matt and Nick had greeted both Kenny and Cody, Cody decided to get right to the point, "So what did you need to talk to us about."

"Well I think it is pretty obvious I am coming back to the states and joining AEW when my contract is officially up."

"Obviously." Nick replied.

"Well, I know you guys are still scouting talent and I have a suggestion."

"Well of course we have to run any idea by Tony and Shad but, we do have some pull, who are you thinking of bringing with you." Cody said.

"Her name is Elise Kar. She was just released from Stardom. She is very talented. She is originally from the States so she is fluent in English but, she is also fluent in Japanese and Korean."

"How is her wrestling ability?" Matt asked.

"She's good. She could hone her craft a bit. Her biggest strength is her character and promo skills. She has a pretty diverse style."

"Let us talk with Tony and we will get back to you in a little bit. We can send him some of her stuff to check out." Cody replied.

"Thanks guys. She's a good person and I think she would be a good addition to the company."

"We trust your judgement." Nick said. "We'll get back to you soon."

"Thanks guys."

Kenny ended the call. He hoped he could help his friend out and find a new talent for the up and coming AEW in one swoop.

It was an hour later when his cell phone rang. He switched off his video game and picked it up. Matt's name was flashing across the caller ID. He accepted the call.

"Hey Matt. What's up."

"I've got some news for you."

"Well cut right to the chase then and lay it on me."

"Tony says he is interested in signing your friend but, he wants her to be an interviewer and have her work with the media department, if possible."

"Wow. Well she would make an awesome interviewer. I am sure she could handle the media too."

"Talk to her and let us know what she thinks." Matt suggested. "She can keep training and maybe later on we can get her back in the ring too."

"I am sure she would love that. Let me talk to her and I will get back to you guys tomorrow. Sound good?"

"Of course. Talk to you later."

"Bye." he hung up the phone.

He wondered if Elise would be interested in taking the deal. It wasn't a wrestling contract but it was a foot in the door.

Elise was sitting with a cup of tea and her new romance novel. She figured reading would keep her mind off of everything. She was thankful for her afternoon with Kenny because it had kept her distracted. However as soon as she had gotten home she had been flooded with emotion again. To keep herself busy she had cleaned her apartment, did a load of laundry, watched a movie, and had her nightly skype call with her parents. After ending her nightly skype call with her parents, she took a quick shower and changed into a pair of lounge pants and black tank top.

She had just started chapter five when her phone rang. She frowned. She wasn't expecting a call from anyone.

She was surprised to see Kenny's name flash across the screen. She accepted the call.

"Hey Kenny. How are you?"

"I'm good, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay. Just reading my new book."

"Sorry to bother you. I had a question for you."

"You're not bothering me. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to get breakfast in the morning. I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Yes I can meet you for breakfast. Is everything okay?"

"Yea. Everything's fine. How about I meet you in the lobby of your apartment building around nine?"

"Sure sounds good."

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to it. Goodnight."

"Good night, Elise." He hung up the phone.

Elise sat her phone on the coffee table and ran her fingers through her damp hair. She wondered what Kenny had to talk to her about?

She leaned back on the couch once again and sighed. She picked up her book and opened it back up to chapter five.

At least she was going to have something to keep her mind busy for the rest of the night as she pondered what he wanted to discuss with her.

thanks for reading.