After the events of "World War Hulk", Gauntlet is angered at the many cadets who had broken orders to confront the Hulk themselves. He is badly beaten and left with a "NW" on his chest, daubed in his own blood. The team had recently learned of a social movement, indicated through 'NW' graffiti, of young people in general defiance of the current power structure. Upon regaining consciousness, he identified his assailant as the Ghost. However, it's later revealed (to the reader) that the attacker was none other than base recruit Slapstick, taking revenge for Gauntlet's pejorative use of the New Warriors' name. It is known that Gyrich mobilized a government physician to revive Gauntlet before a S.H.I.E.L.D. investigation discovered the truth, and was present when Gauntlet made the false identification. While Gauntlet was incapacitated, Taskmaster took over his drill instructor duties.