- Bad Luck Brannigan, a wrestler working for a crooked promoter, uses "the paralyzer" to cripple opponents. Clark Kent discovers the promoter has imprisoned an immigrant dubbed "the swami," who has extensive knowledge of the body's pressure points. In his Superman identity, Clark sees the immigrant. "The swami" instructs Superman in his techniques. As Clark, he then teaches a college wrestler -- who has publicly challenged Brannigan -- how to counter "the paralyzer."—Bill Koenig
- Seven professional wrestlers, including Teuton Tony and Wild Man Coolie, have been hospitalized after facing Bad News Brannigan (Richard Reeves, no relation to George) and his signature move, the Paralyzer. Perry calls Clark into his office, saying he intends to put an end to this mayhem. He's sure something dishonest is going on, because Brannigan's manager Mortimer Murray (Herb Vigran) is crooked. The Planet editor has hired Wayne Winchester (Malcolm Mealey), last year's collegiate wrestling champion, to observe Brannigan's tactics. Perry, Wayne, Jimmy, Lois, and Clark gather around the TV in Perry's office that night to watch the Brannigan-Simmons match. Simmons tries his rib-crushing body scissors, but also falls to the Paralyzer. Wayne says the match looked more like attempted murder than wrestling as he knew it. Clark has noticed something about Brannigan's hands, but is interrupted by a yelp from Jimmy, who was trying wrestling holds on himself. Perry assigns Clark and Jimmy to assist Wayne in his investigation.
Clark is loitering outside Murray's training quarters when he encounters Sam Bleaker (Dick Elliott), an old friend who books matches at the city's prime wrestling venue, The Arena. He's on his way to try and cut a deal with Murray, whose stable of wrestlers are putting all other competitors out of action. Before bidding Clark goodbye, he gives Clark a pair on ringside tickets for Friday. Inside, Murray tells Sam he wants a 60% interest in The Arena. Sam will need to talk to his partners, and in the interim begs Murray to supply an opponent for Friday's match against the Golden Adonis. Murray agrees to send Brannigan, but when Sam wants a promise of no Paralyzer, Murray refuses. Sam has no choice but to agree.
In Perry's office, Wayne says he's not making much progress, and wants to see the next match in person. Clark gives him the tickets, and Wayne hopes he can get Lois to go with him. Clark seems unenthusiastic. Meanwhile, Murray tells Brannigan that he'll be fighting the Adonis. Bad News is uncertain about this, since he may be unable to use the Paralyzer if Adonis gets him into a spin. To deal with this possibility, Murray summons Ramm (Tito Renaldo), whom he addresses as "Swami". With Crusher (Henry Kulky), another of Murray's wrestlers, playing the part of Adonis, Ramm shows Brannigan a muscle pinch he can use if Adonis hoists him on his shoulders for the spin. Later, Ramm enters Murray's office, asking when he'll be able to return to India. Murray repeats his story that Ramm needs to let Murray hide him, or he'll be found by the "government police" and jailed for life. Ramm suspects that his special training is being misused, and warns Murray things will go bad for him if this is so. Murray denies it and has Crusher take Ramm back to his room. Once they're gone, Murray tells Bad News that after Friday they won't need Ramm any more, but they won't be turning him loose.
At the match, Ramm's new tactic works as promised. After defeating Adonis, Bad News addresses the crowd, claiming to be the world champion and that he'll face any wrestler, even a gorilla if you can get one to sign up. Wayne jumps into the ring and challenges Brannigan to a bout next Friday. Bad News tries to push him away, but Wayne floors him with a drop kick. Watching from his office, Perry is furious that Wayne would endanger himself this way. When Lois and Wayne return, Perry and Lois both try to talk Wayne out of his rash challenge. However, Clark disagrees, and says he'll take full responsibility of Wayne is injured. Lois says she never wants to see Clark again. Once she and Wayne leave, Perry asks Clark if he's been influenced by Wayne's interest in Lois. Clark assures him that no green-eyed monster is involved - he really believes Wayne can beat Brannigan.
At Murray's, Bad News says that he's worried because college wrestlers can really wrestle. Murray says they can rely on yet another Paralyzer move and tells Brannigan to make sure the door to Ramm's room is chained. Clark, hearing this from outside, changes to Superman! He flies to Ramm's window and bends the bars to enter. Ramm thinks Superman is a genie, come in answer to his prayers. Superman tells him he must show one more technique to Brannigan, but should first demonstrate that move to the Man of Steel. Ramm agrees, and is unconcerned about harming Superman because "How could a man hurt a genie?"
Early next morning, Wayne visits Clark at home. He's been having second thoughts. Clark says he knows a little about the manipulation of pressure points, an art well developed among the Japanese and Hindus. He says that from what he saw on TV, he's sure this is what Brannigan is doing with his fingers. Knowing this, they can develop defenses. Clark admits that he's not qualified as a wrestling instructor, but Wayne feels that they're on the right track. When Jimmy arrives, Clark has him try a pressure-point move on Wayne, who deflects it and throws Jimmy. Clark tells Wayne to do some exercises that will build up muscle resistance to such attacks. Meanwhile, Ramm teaches Bad News another variation of the Paralyzer, much like what Jimmy tried on Wayne.
Lois can't stomach seeing Wayne hurt in person, so she goes to Perry's office instead of The Arena. Perry says that Clark is usually right, but Lois points out that no one is right all the time, that's simply human nature. Perry responds that sometimes he wonders if Clark is human. At the match, Bannister tries pressure point attacks, including the new version Ramm just taught him, but Wayne can counter or resist all of them and wins. Afterward, Clark overhears Murray concluding that Ramm double-crossed him and deciding to return to his training quarters and work him over. Clark tries to rush off, but is delayed by Sam, who wants to discuss the possibility of a new sensation - honest wrestling. Clark denies having any say-so, but Jimmy, who's been functioning as Wayne's trainer, decides that gives him the authority to negotiate with Sam. Once they leave Clark alone, he changes to Superman.
Perry and Lois wonder what has happened to Clark, who has a big story to write. Perry guesses that he's gone to Murray's place for a lead and is probably up to his neck in trouble. At the training quarters, Bad News has grabbed Ramm from behind by the wrists, making sure the "Swami" has no opportunity to attack with his fingers. Murray hits the defenseless young man, accusing him of telling their secrets, but Ramm insists "I talked to no man." Superman arrives, and it takes him 23 seconds to knock out Murray and his entire stable of wrestlers. (A little long, perhaps, but this is Kal El's only action scene in the episode.) Ramm, who has learned that his genie is named "Superman", promises to use his techniques to help the hospitalized wrestlers. Superman explains that Ramm isn't really a wanted man, and leaves. Perry, Wayne, Lois, and Jimmy come to the door, looking for Clark. He enters from another room, and explains that Ramm can heal the wrestlers. Lois says that would be like magic. Clark says that it's the only real magic - knowledge.
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