No Holds Barred — Epilogue
by Tom Nichol

Based on the episode of the same name from the
Adventures of Superman (1951)

[Author’s note: It is a well-known fact that “professional wrestling” is markedly different from the more traditional form of wrestling taught and practiced in high school and college. The episode on which this epilogue is based clearly demonstrates that difference. It should also be pointed out that the laws dealing with the form of wrestling depicted in this story have changed significantly since it was filmed in the mid-1950’s.]

A month had passed since the events which had resulted in the arrest of wrestling promoter Mortimer Murray and his gang on a variety of criminal charges related to the gang’s brutal activities. Murray and his gang were now in the Metropolis City Jail, awaiting trial. Also, because of the manner in which Murray and his gang had inveigled the man known as “Swami Ram” into teaching the wrestlers in Murray’s employ how to literally paralyze their opponents, the FBI and the Immigration and Naturalization Service had joined the Metropolis Police Department in investigating the case.

Thankfully, it had quickly become clear to both the local and the Federal authorities that Ram had been as much of a victim as the wrestlers who had suffered at the hands of Murray’s employees. This, together with Ram’s eagerness to make amends for what he had been forced to do by reversing the effects of the paralyzing holds he had taught the gang members, had been more than enough to persuade the authorities to grant Ram immunity from prosecution in return for his testimony.

With Murray and his gang members now set to go on trial, Perry White, owner-publisher of the Metropolis Daily Planet, together with Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Inspector William Henderson of the Metropolis Police Department, Swami Ram himself, and former college wrestler Wayne Winchester (who Perry had hired to help expose the Murray gang’s criminal antics), were discussing the case in Perry’s private office. Dr. Tom Whitlock, medical consultant to the Metropolis Police Department, arrived only a few moments after the meeting got underway to update the group as to the beneficial results of Ram’s efforts to ameliorate the suffering of those who had formerly been paralyzed as a result of the efforts of Murray’s goons.

As might be expected, Swami Ram was still somewhat nervous as to what would happen to him as a result of what he had been forced to do by Murray and his gang. Inspector Henderson assured him, however, that since he had been granted immunity from prosecution, he had absolutely nothing to fear from either the police, the FBI, or the Immigration and Naturalization Service, especially since he would be returning to his native India once he had completed his testimony in court. On hearing this, Ram’s demeanor became visibly calmer.

“How many trials do you think there’ll be, Chief?” Clark inquired.

Perry, who in addition to being a veteran journalist was also a trained lawyer, replied, “It’s hard to say at this point, Clark. I’m hoping, though, that despite the number of people in Murray’s gang, the authorities will consolidate their cases into one criminal trial. That would make it easier for everybody, especially Mr. Ram here!”

“That’s exactly what the District Attorney is working on, Perry,” Henderson responded.

As the others nodded their agreement, Lois asked Dr. Whitlock, “By the way, Tom, how are the gang’s victims doing as far as their recovery is concerned?”

Whitlock smiled as he replied, “I’m happy to be able to report that all of those gentlemen have made a full recovery, and have all been discharged from the hospitals where they were staying. Mr. Ram here has informed me that, in the event that any of them require follow-up care after he returns to India, he has made arrangements with a friend of mine who is an expert chiropractor to provide these men with any further therapy they may need!”

“That’s great!” Jimmy gushed.

Ram flushed with pleasure as the others in the office voiced their agreement. “Believe me, my friends, it was my pleasure!” he said quietly.

Jimmy then inquired, “That reminds me, Inspector: What kind of penalties will Murray and his goons be facing when they are tried?”

“Very stiff penalties, Jimmy!” Henderson replied, his face becoming grim and stern as he spoke. “Given the number of men they victimized—including poor Mr. Ram, here—to make a long story short, Murray and his cohorts will most likely be facing total sentences that will amount to life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole, probation, or any other form of sentence reduction!”

“Good!” Lois piped up, and the others nodded their agreement.

Perry then explained that the Daily Planet would fully cover Ram’s living expenses while he stayed in the United States to testify at the trial or trials of Murray and his gang, and would also provide first-class airfare back to India once the trials were concluded. His face aglow with happiness, Ram thanked Perry effusively for his generosity. With that, the meeting concluded.

Six months later, Swami Ram did indeed return to his native India. As Perry had hoped, the trials of Murray and his gang had all been consolidated into one case. It took only two hours for the jury to convict the gang on all charges, and to recommend the imposition of maximum sentences. The judge who presided over the trial did exactly that, condemning Murray and his underlings in the harshest language that many courtroom observers had ever heard him use.

Once the trial was formally concluded, just as he had promised, Perry arranged for first-class airfare for the Swami, and, along with Clark, Lois, Jimmy, Wayne Winchester, and Inspector Henderson, personally saw him off at the Metropolis airport to return to his native land. “I will keep in touch,” Ram warmly promised, “and I will never forget any of you!” He then boarded the plane to begin the long journey back to his homeland, thereby formally concluding the case of “No Holds Barred.”

Posted: July 2, 2024
Jim