#55 - "The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!"

Information provided by Robert E. Powers.

Credits

Writer - Bob Budiansky / Layouts - Bob Budiansky (p. 1-10), Jim Fern (p.11-22) / Penciler - Jim Fern / Inker - Mick Gustovich / Lettering - Dave Moede / Colors - Nel Yomtov

Story

I think he's enjoying that a little too much...

On Celia Santiago's "New York Talks" show, Roadhandler explains that the Autobot Race Car Patrol have established themselves as vigilantes to protect the populace. He is suddenly interrupted by "Jackhammer," a professional wrestler who accuses him of being a fraud and challenges him to a match. His honor at stake, Roadhandler agrees. A few days later, the high-profile (and well-rehearsed) match occurs; Roadhandler wins, which earns him the trust and adoration of the citizenry. But when Lord Zarak learns about the match, he sends a message to Cybertron for a special team of warriors.

A few weeks later, as Roadhandler leads a self-defense training class for his growing fan club, Zarak arrives with the Decepticon Micromaster Air Strike Patrol. Zarak challenges Roadhandler to a wrestling match against Stormcloud, and threatens to disrupt all of Roadhandler's future appearances if he refuses. As Roadhandler agrees, Celia gets suspicious, and draws aside the other Autobots for a conference.

Fear my puny matchstick arms!

On the night of the match, as Roadhandler and Stormcloud prepare for their fight, the rest of the Air Strike Patrol goes after Roadhandler's fan club. But they are thwarted by the Autobots, who were tipped off by Celia's suspicions. Roadhandler, meanwhile, notices his fan club is missing; Zarak strongly suggests that they'll be safe if he lets Stormcloud win, and Stormcloud trounces Roadhandler as a result. But then the other Autobots appear with the fan club; Roadhandler quickly turns the tables and wins.

As the Decepticons escape, Roadhandler publicly denounces the audience for regarding him as a plaything, and retires from wrestling. But he later meets with his fan club and explains the reason for his outburst -- it was a ruse to shake off his followers, because he realizes that anyone who befriends him is in danger from the Decepticons.

Notes and Comments

• This is the last issue of Transformers written by Bob Budiansky.
• The Autobot Micromaster Race Car Patrol is not seen again after this issue. No mention is given for where they went, though presumably they were returned to Cybertron when Primus summons all of the Transformers in issue #73.
• Some fans consider this issue to be one of the most ridiculous issues in the Transformers comic book series, right down there with "Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom!" (issue #31). Can't say I blame them...