Craig Marduk

Craig Marduk (クレイグ・マードック Kureigu Mādokku) was introduced in Tekken 4, and he has returned for all subsequent releases.

A once celebrated Vale Tudo Champion, Marduk was on top of the Vale Tudo world and would stay there had he not been forced to retire. Craig's undefeated streak had caused him to become extremely arrogant and this nature would look to himself as a "Perfect fighting machine". Bitter over his forced retirement, Marduk would eventually while away time at the different bars. This bitterness combined with Marduk's own arrogance would eventually cause a brawl in one of the bars Marduk visited and resulted with the opposing man being killed by Marduk. Despite being charged with manslaughter, an unknown benefactor tipped him off regarding The King of Iron Fist Tournament and helped release Marduk prematurely. Marduk, curious, but most likely seeing this as a challenge, eventually entered the tournament in order to meet this benefactor.

In the fourth tournament, he would end up fighting his benefactor, a man who was filled with revenge over the death of the man in the Arizona brawl. Marduk would lose severely and required hospitalization. The man nearly came close to killing Marduk, but upon seeing that Marduk had to care for an elderly couple, immediately reconsidered. Marduk however, was so shocked at the fight's outcome so much that he trained himself with new vigor to challenge the man who defeated him. He also wanted to fight a roused man, so he proceeded to taunt his opponent by wearing a black jaguar mask resembling that of the man's master. He would yet again lose, but would find new found respect after his second loss to the man, and the two would become close friends. To his surprise, he would be attacked by a man resembling the one he killed in the brawl. Despite this uncertainty, he eventually founded a new gym alongside his new friend, helping train others, many of whom would plan on joining professional wrestling. He later would go on to decide with his friend to find out as much information he could find regarding this mysterious attacker.

Marduk in his early stages was basically very arrogant and belligerent. He would not consider holding back or showing mercy to his opponents, even if the difference of skill between them would be extreme. He also hated losing more than anything and could not accept the single loss that he had in the fourth tournament. Marduk would actually focus more on these small fights instead of the entire tournament, making sure that he wants the world to know that he was, and will still be, the best fighter there is. Despite all these negative traits, Marduk would still find himself taking care of a sickly and elderly couple on his own. Shortly after his second loss against King II, many of the negative traits of Marduk disappeared. He was significantly less arrogant, took his losses better and at times would even hold back against opponents. A significant trait that he could not abandon however was his somewhat lecherous nature despite the scandal that already cost him his Vale Tudo career. Despite major reformations, he still finds himself under attack by a single man who does not believe that Marduk has changed for the better.

Games in order of appearance:

• Tekken 4 (2001)
• Tekken 5 (2004)
• Tekken 6 (2007)
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (2011)
• Tekken 3D Prime Edition (2012)

Other appearances:

• Street Fighter X Tekken (2012)

Character Portrait: Marduk Tekken 4.

Tekken 4 screenshot: Marduk VS Marduk

Gameplay

He has some moves taken from the Japanese mixed martial artist Kazushi "Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba. Like Mongolian Chop from the mount position, jumping stomp, etc.

Story

Prologue (In-Game Text)

Undefeated for four years in the professional circuit, Craig Marduk was once a respected and feared Vale Tudo fighter. However, Craig was expelled from the professional ranks after being linked to a minor scandal. Bitter against his peers and society, Craig’s wrath consumed his soul. One day, Craig started a bar brawl in Arizona and killed an opponent during the fight, which turned out to be Armor King. Convicted for second-degree manslaughter, Craig was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary. Two years later, Craig was mysteriously released from prison. Some anonymous "benefactor" had apparently paid off numerous judiciaries to arrange for Craig’s release. An envelope is delivered to Craig shortly after his release. Craig opens the envelope to find a plane ticket and an article about The King of Iron Fist Tournament 4.

Epilogue (In-Game Text)

For Marduk, fulfillment was elusive... "Winnin' some tournament don't mean nothin'." When he realized where he was, he was heading back to the place of his former glory.

Ending (Unofficial Synopsis)

Marduk is seen reminiscing within an MMA fighting arena. Soon, Jeff Slater, the current Vale Tudo champion arrives and states that he watched Marduk's past matches.. Though he offers Marduk a handshake, the offer is ignored. He then asks Marduk if he has forgotten how to fight, and Jeff states that their fight will be the "biggest unofficial bout of the century" as Marduk is no longer champion due to the scandal. As Marduk prepares to leave, Jeff immediately stops and taunts him, asking if he is afraid that he will lose. Marduk immediately responds by headbutting Jeff and trampling over him, saying, "Don't bother getting up."

Trivia

• This is the first and only game where one of Marduk's default outfits has him with hair on his head.

Character Portrait: Marduk Tekken 5.

Tekken 5 screenshot: Marduk VS Marduk

CG art in Tekken 5:Dark Resurrection

Gameplay

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Story

Prologue (In-Game Text)

Craig Marduk, the once undefeated Vale Tudo Fighter. Unable to accept his loss to King in the previous tournament, Marduk transformed himself into the ultimate weapon. One day, Marduk in a black jaguar mask, beat everyone in a Vale Tudo tournament to a bloody pulp. "King! You're next!" The stage is set for a rematch at the King of Iron Fist Tournament 5!

Interludes (Unofficial Synopsis)

Stage 4, Anna Williams: Marduk flirts with Anna and she said that she "isn't into Neanderthals". After Marduk defeats Anna he carries her on his shoulder and says "[He] always gets what he wants".

Stage 7, King: Marduk tells King that he will take him down "fair and square" which he does and calls himself "numero uno."

Final Stage, Jinpachi Mishima: Marduk walks through Final Stage 2. Jinpachi (in human form) walks up behind him and says, "I'm impressed that you've made it this far. I am Jinpachi Mishima. My goal... My goal is to destroy all existence!" Shortly after Jinpachi starts to speak, Marduk turns around and notices him. After he finishes speaking, Jinpachi transforms into his "Devil" form.

Epilogue (In-Game Text)

Marduk wins the Tournament and is crowned the new champion. For Marduk, being champion was not enough. He attacks various martial art champions to show his superiority.

Ending (Unofficial Synopsis)

The scene opens with the words: "And today's target is..." Two boxers are getting ready to fight in a typical boxing match. The boxers have just begun their bout when Marduk comes into the ring and interrupts, challenging both of them to come at him. The referee tries to stop the madness, only to be K.O.ed by Marduk. The two boxers decide to attack Marduk but are easily taken down. Marduk taunts the audience in front of the camera, tearing up the ropes in the boxing ring for good measure. Steve Fox, who is in the audience, has a look of disgust on his face as he gets out of his seat to confront Marduk.

Trivia

• Craig Marduk's sub-bosses are Anna Williams and King.
• Although King's ending features Marduk with an elderly couple, it has yet to be confirmed as to who exactly they are. Many fans and players assume that the couple is Marduk's parents.

Character Portrait: Marduk Tekken 6.

CG art in Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion and Tekken 6 console

Tekken 6 screenshot: Marduk VS Marduk

Gameplay

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Story

Prologue (In-Game Text)

Craig Marduk fought a grueling battle with the wrestler King in The King of Iron Fist Tournament 5. Victory and defeat eluded both fighters, and, in defeat, they found friendship. While returning to the waiting room, Craig was attacked. Catching only a glimpse of the attacker's back as he fled, Craig could have sworn he looked exactly like the man he was convicted of killing, Armor King. Determined to learn the assailant's true identity, Craig set out with his sworn friend, King, to participate in The King of Iron Fist Tournament 6.

Ending (Unofficial Synopsis)

While in a graveyard of the Marduk is seen digging through one of the graves, stating, 'He should be dead.'. When he opens the casket, Marduk simply exclaims, "Whoa" as he finds Armor King's body. As he gets up, Marduk simply asks, "So, who are you!?", revealing Armor King behind Marduk.

Trivia

• In the Scenario Campaign in Tekken 6, Marduk and King are bosses in the Mixed Martial Arts Gym Wild Kingdom.

Craig Marduk fighting King.

Marduk will be featured as a playable character in Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Gameplay

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Story (From Wii U Edition)

Craig Marduk was an undefeated Vale Tudo fighter for for years since his debut, until he was banished by the committee for his involvement in a scandal. Shortly after, he accidentally killed Armor King, who was like a father to King, when he tried to break up a bar fight. Craig fought against King twice after that, and an unexpected friendship budded between the two fighters as they recognized each other's worth^[1].

Ending (Unofficial Synopsis)

Marduk and King II are seen fighting both Jaycee and Armor King II. Marduk starts by hitting Armor King with a running lariat only to get hit by Jaycee's knee. King attempts to go in only to be kicked back by Jaycee. Marduk manages to break a pole off from the arena and uses it to hit both Armor King and Jaycee. Though Armor King successfully dodges the attack, Jaycee is knocked out. King then knocks Armor King down, followed by Marduk grabbing Armor King's leg and slamming him down, knocking out Armor King.

Trivia

• He has a special tag throw with King II where he will lift the opponent up for "Suplex Bomb" But King will leap up to his shoulders, and Jump off Performing Jaguar Bomb in the process.
• He has a special tag throw Jaycee when will perform Knee Breaker so Jaycee can perform Shooting Star Press on the fallen opponent.
• He has a special tag throw with Armor King II. He will perform Steam Roller and Armor King will perform an Elbow Drop on the fallen opponent.
• He has a special win animation with Armor King where the two will start preparing to fight with each other (with the same look as the confrontation in the arcade intro)
• His item move is if his "Melon Masher" K.O's the opponent, He will be restrained by his partner and he will simply roar on the fallen opponent.
• On his Championship Belt customization item from Tekken Tag Tournament 2, the "company" on the belt is NBGI, a pun on Bandai Namco Games Inc (BNGI).

Marduk in Street Fighter X Tekken.

Marduk vs Abel

Craig Marduk will be featured as a playable character in Street Fighter X Tekken

Story (in game text) King and Marduk continue searching for the man resembling Armor King. Rumors persisted that a man who looked like King's former mentor has boarded a ship heading for the Antarctic. However... whether that information is credible or not is another story. The entire Antarctic is on high alert due to the news of a box found in a meteorite, and as such ordinary civilians cannot travel to the continent.

King: (I think I'm seeing things, but if that's really him...!)

Unable to give up just yet, King and Marduk decide to somehow infiltrate the Antarctic to continue the search.

Marduk: I guess there's only one way to make sure, huh? Let's go King!

King: (Yeah!)

Rival Battle

While Marduk points out that the box isn't in sight, Ibuki suddenly attacks Marduk with her shurikens while Rolento appears tells King that the pair's going to be enlisted into Rolento's army.

Ending

King and Marduk find Armor King but as it turns out the image was only created by the box. Infuriated, the two decide to get rid of the box, but not before King takes a last glimpse of his master. Later, the two throw it into the ocean and watch it sink.

Trivia

• Marduk's official partner is King II. Their special intro has Marduk state that the opposing team has made the mistake of having himself and King as opponents. King quickly jumps over Marduk's shoulder as the two pose, and the two proceed to lock arms together while Marduk shouts "We'll crush you!".
• Marduk's official title is "Brutal Vale Tudo Fighter"

• It is believed that Craig Marduk may have been modeled after Australian wrestler Nathan Jones. Both would be about the same size, Australian, served prison time, and are often portrayed as crude muscle-heads.
• His injured left ear is believed to be a reference to the Tyson-Holyfield fight where Tyson bit Holyfield's ear.
• His surname may be based from the Mesopotamian god, Marduk.

Quotes

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Street Fighter X Tekken

• Killed the first Armor King in an Arizona bar brawl.
• Rivals with King II in Tekken 4 and they become friends after the event of Tekken 5.
• Was attacked by Armor King II prior to Tekken 6.
• Fought Final Fight's Hugo Andore and Poison alongside King in a cinematic trailer for Street Fighter X Tekken. (Non-canon)