TV-Series
Description
Known as Rampage in certain regional releases of *Transformers: Armada*, this character is identified as the Decepticon Wheeljack in the primary continuity. Originally an Autobot on Cybertron, he served alongside Hot Shot in the same military unit, considering each other close friends. A pivotal incident occurred when Wheeljack became trapped under battlefield rubble during intense combat. Hot Shot attempted rescue but was forcibly prevented from returning by an Autobot officer who deemed it too dangerous. Megatron intervened, extracted Wheeljack, and offered him a place among the Decepticons. This event fostered deep-seated bitterness in Wheeljack, who mistakenly believed Hot Shot had willingly abandoned him.
Embracing his new allegiance, Wheeljack adopted a black color scheme and developed a vengeful, destructive personality focused primarily on confronting Hot Shot. Arriving on Earth, he immediately sought out his former friend, now mentoring the young Autobot Sideswipe. Wheeljack manipulated Sideswipe into a dangerous chase that ended with the rookie's near-fatal crash. He later confronted Hot Shot directly, recounting the Cybertron incident and rejecting all explanations or apologies. During a clash at an oil refinery, Wheeljack captured Sideswipe and left him restrained within the burning complex, explicitly testing whether Hot Shot would abandon his protégé. When Thrust attacked the injured Hot Shot during the rescue, Wheeljack intervened, shooting Thrust down to preserve his personal vendetta. He subsequently swore loyalty to Megatron, formally joining the Decepticons despite concerns from others like Starscream regarding his instability.
As a Decepticon warrior, Wheeljack participated in numerous missions, including the assault on the Autobot base that secured the Requiem Blaster and critically injured Smokescreen. He witnessed Starscream's defection after Megatron halted an internal clash between Starscream and Thrust, expressing unease but remaining loyal. He later questioned Megatron's subdued demeanor following Optimus Prime's apparent sacrificial death, rationalizing it as the loss of a worthy adversary. During the Decepticon return to Cybertron, Wheeljack fought against pursuing Autobots and witnessed Prime's resurrection. After Megatron's ascension to Galvatron and the Decepticon conquest of Cybertron, Wheeljack encountered Hot Shot attempting to infiltrate Decepticon command. Initially eager for combat, he was persuaded to allow Hot Shot an audience with Galvatron, which exposed Thrust's treachery and allegiance to Unicron.
This revelation marked a turning point. Wheeljack and Hot Shot, setting aside their feud, pursued Thrust together through Cybertron's tunnels and onto its moon. They aided Starscream in protecting human children from a cave-in and learned the Mini-Cons' origin as creations of Unicron. Rescued by Jetfire from the collapsing lunar surface revealing Unicron's awakening form, Wheeljack returned to the Decepticon ranks. He fought alongside Galvatron against Optimus Prime's forces until the threat of Unicron forced a temporary alliance between Autobots and Decepticons. Wheeljack participated in the unified armada's ceremonial pact and the subsequent battle against Unicron. His documented arc concludes with this participation in the coalition against Unicron, having reconciled with Hot Shot during the crisis.
Embracing his new allegiance, Wheeljack adopted a black color scheme and developed a vengeful, destructive personality focused primarily on confronting Hot Shot. Arriving on Earth, he immediately sought out his former friend, now mentoring the young Autobot Sideswipe. Wheeljack manipulated Sideswipe into a dangerous chase that ended with the rookie's near-fatal crash. He later confronted Hot Shot directly, recounting the Cybertron incident and rejecting all explanations or apologies. During a clash at an oil refinery, Wheeljack captured Sideswipe and left him restrained within the burning complex, explicitly testing whether Hot Shot would abandon his protégé. When Thrust attacked the injured Hot Shot during the rescue, Wheeljack intervened, shooting Thrust down to preserve his personal vendetta. He subsequently swore loyalty to Megatron, formally joining the Decepticons despite concerns from others like Starscream regarding his instability.
As a Decepticon warrior, Wheeljack participated in numerous missions, including the assault on the Autobot base that secured the Requiem Blaster and critically injured Smokescreen. He witnessed Starscream's defection after Megatron halted an internal clash between Starscream and Thrust, expressing unease but remaining loyal. He later questioned Megatron's subdued demeanor following Optimus Prime's apparent sacrificial death, rationalizing it as the loss of a worthy adversary. During the Decepticon return to Cybertron, Wheeljack fought against pursuing Autobots and witnessed Prime's resurrection. After Megatron's ascension to Galvatron and the Decepticon conquest of Cybertron, Wheeljack encountered Hot Shot attempting to infiltrate Decepticon command. Initially eager for combat, he was persuaded to allow Hot Shot an audience with Galvatron, which exposed Thrust's treachery and allegiance to Unicron.
This revelation marked a turning point. Wheeljack and Hot Shot, setting aside their feud, pursued Thrust together through Cybertron's tunnels and onto its moon. They aided Starscream in protecting human children from a cave-in and learned the Mini-Cons' origin as creations of Unicron. Rescued by Jetfire from the collapsing lunar surface revealing Unicron's awakening form, Wheeljack returned to the Decepticon ranks. He fought alongside Galvatron against Optimus Prime's forces until the threat of Unicron forced a temporary alliance between Autobots and Decepticons. Wheeljack participated in the unified armada's ceremonial pact and the subsequent battle against Unicron. His documented arc concludes with this participation in the coalition against Unicron, having reconciled with Hot Shot during the crisis.