SD 15: Tension Tag Team Title Match - United Kingdom Elite Vs. the Ishii Siblings

For Mariko, it stung as she shook Ryan’s hand. It wasn’t that she was bitter about losing. After all, it wasn’t the first match she’d lost, and chances were it wouldn’t be the last. Still, the image of Yamato’s pleading eyes looking back into hers in those final moments was embedded in her mind right now, and the fact that she’d been unable to pull through for them when it mattered most was still weighing heavy on her. After a few days to wind down and reflect on things, she’d likely be over it. But for the moment, it just felt like she was congratulating Mr. Knight on putting her through one of the most emotionally and physically painful moments of her life, or at least in recent memory. And the confetti now raining down everywhere wasn’t helping. Then again, both sides had given it their all. And the United Kingdom Elite had earned the chance to enjoy their victory.

Yamato was certainly disappointed he and Mariko wouldn’t be taking those belts home too, but at the moment his mind was in a much more positive place. He was inwardly laughing at everyone who’d said the Ishiis didn’t even have what it took to make it past the first round, and had counted him and his sister out of this tournament from the beginning without a second thought. They’d shocked the world just by making it to this point and giving the new champions one hell of a fight. Who knows? With any luck, perhaps next time they’ll be able to take it even further.

Both Ishiis chuckled at Ryan’s comment, and as soon as Ryan and John ascended the turnbuckles to proudly display their newly won titles, Yamato started assisting Mariko toward the ropes again. “Until next time.” He replied, turning his head and briefly waving with his free arm as he helped his sister out of the ring.

They waited a moment for the champions to take their leave and have their last moment of basking in the cheers of the fans. And once Ryan and John had left, Yamato and Mariko then slowly made their way to and up the ramp. They were met with a good, respectful amount of cheers from the audience for their efforts tonight. As usual, Mariko did virtually nothing in response, remaining silent as they moved, while Yamato smiled, bowed and waved to fans along the way.

The two exhausted siblings then slipped through the curtain and moved on backstage, heading for the trainer’s office. As far as Mariko was concerned, the sooner they could get in and out of there so she could go home, the better. Some wine and a nice warm bath had never sounded so nice in her entire life.

Winners and new Tension Tag Team Champions: United Kingdom Elite via Submission