Could Breakdown have been an Autobot? Death= wasted character potential? 

He was killed off because of budget cuts. The voice actor, Adam Baldwin, was too expensive. Same reason why the wrote off Airachnid, Gina Torres was also expensive.

Bulkhead: "Mine's BIGGER!" Breakdown: *looks at his small hammer* Also Breakdown: *sad noises*

If Breakdown had kids he would tell the shittiest dad jokes ever, and that makes me happy.

The butterfly effect in this show is insane. Zombie!Breakdown was the reason Megatron ordered all of Knockout’s experiments be given to Shockwave. (Including synthetic energon) The explosion in Shockwave’s lab (after Knockout delivered the synthetic energon) lead to the discovery of new cybermatter. Always love this show for its tight sense of continuity.

Proof breakdown’s a hero: He’s nice to the Vehicons 😄 Edit: thanks for the support :)

Tbh I think that if Breakdown would join the Autobots, Knock Out would follow him giving their close realtion. Following that, this would have put Decepticons at disadvantage without a medic and Autobots having more members, two medics and two bots who are both very physically strong. Of course there's still more Deceptions, but perhaps without Knock Out Megatron wouldn't be able to able to get a Prime's arm and get the saber giving they don't have anyone with adequate skills to make the procedure Breakdown joining Autbots might have changed a lot in the show in my opinion

Exact reasons that I loved breakdown. May we forever remember this sweet child.

Ok, I gotta tell this: I’m not a TF fan, but I feel deep respect to those who continue creating quality content even after (in this case) the show ended 7 years ago. That demonstrates a rare degree of loyalty to the fandom you love. Good job! Don’t quit!

Knockout: "Come to papa" Bulkhead: " *run to mommy* " Knockout: "Moooooooooooom!"

This makes breakdown look like a soft guy but with a horrifying death, being used for a body, and becoming an undead vampire. However he was a good character in the show and it was bad that he had to die like that. Thanks for these good videos they have really shown me another look into the transformers prime series

Every time the desepticons gain a new members they lose other ones 1 when airachnid joins the cons they lose starscream 2 when dreadwing comes to earth they lose both breakdown and airachnid 3 when starscream rejoins the cons they lose dreadwing 4 when shockwave returns and makes predaking they lose the insecticons and over half the remaining troops

He really deserved better,may he rest in peace😢😭😭😖😖😖🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧

He was a Autobot. That’s why Bulkhead knows him so well.

I honestly never expected to have someone really talk about breakdown in depth. Honestly his death was so upsetting to me, and made me hate Aracnid, and M.E.C.H that much more. I do think that they wasted some potential with breakdown, but it did give us one of the best, In my opinion, episodes in the sires. R.I.P breakdown, you are most definitely missed.

You can tell Breakdowns death made Knockout EXTREMELY upset but he barely ever showed it, I wouldn't blame him though Breakdown was basically his best friend😔

Breakdown is obedient, but he can think for himself. He has an interesting personality and overall is a good bot and even better soldier. I love him as a character. I agree that in some way his death was a waste, but we got an interesting story arch out of it anyways. On a side note: I find it interesting that Insecticons at first presented as mindless beasts connected by some sort of a hivemind later in the show actually get some "character"? We can see them walk around, talk and show emotions. They obey not just Airachnid (through the hivemind), but also Megatron. Just as any other Decepticon soldier. Their ultimate fate actually makes me feel bad for them.

Bulkhead: "You have no idea the things Breakdown's done." Flashback Long ago in Cybertron, during a lunch break. Breakdown: "What's up, Kermit?" Bulkhead: "WE HATES IT FOREVER!!!"

Actually fun fact: The very specific closeness between Breakdown and Knockout is actually not surprising if you think about the fact that in the comics they are conomically married

You can make the same argument to Dreadwing, his death, like Breakdown, waste a lot of potential for that character and you got the sense that, had he tried and fail to kill Starscream and ended up facing megatron for his disobedience, he would possibly be an autobot ally, not a full autobot, but an ally at least

Fun fact: he actually used to be an autobot

I think Breakdown genuinely believed in the original Decepticon cause. He likely felt bad for the mine walkers and poor treatment of the cybertronian slaves and nameless bots. Knockout loved torturing Silas because Breakdown is already dead and his corpse was being used by his murderer.

I agree, he should have been given more lore and screentime, he seems like such an interesting character, he just wasn't given enough chances.

I would have and still would wish to see how things could have gone with if they kept Breakdown alive, but I am still satisfied with the end result we have, despite liking him a lot. It's like watching your favorite screamer boy being abused or dying compilations. But screw Arachnid tho, her ultimate fate was cool, but I still hate her manifolds.

12:29 "You can't compeat with breakdown, but your a close *second*"

Damn it, now I want a spin off series where the cons are the main characters

I mean... Knockout and Breakdown are canon in the IDW comic books, so.... yeah. Make sense that in the show they could have been a thing but the writers may have been hesitant to write something like that into the show. I really don't know.

I always wondered whether Cylas' mind was partially corrupted by being merged inside of Breakdown's body and that was why he wanted to kill M.E.C.H. and join Megatron. Of course, Silas would still think he's in control and that it was his decision, but that sudden change of personality always felt off. It was well known that M.E.C.H. wanted to make an army of titanic transforming robots, so when he says "I now see more suited to keep the exclusive company of titans", it still doesn't make sense, because that was M.E.C.H.'s point from the start. Also, he didn't attempt to join forces with the Decepticons when commanding Nemesis Prime, even though that would have made M.E.C.H. more powerful than ever before, and the Decepticons would have had a greater advantage with a paramilitary organization like M.E.C.H. ... or at least greater than what Cylas had to offer. However, Breakdown had a grudge against M.E.C.H., so if somehow part of his personality fused with Silas' it would explain why Cylas thought killing the very people that saved his life was a good idea, and it explains why the second thing he does is bringing Megatron a gift and ask him to be included in the Decepticons ranks.

It is really funny when you remember that back before his death, people suspected him and Airachnid would become a couple. Between how chill he was with Airachnid joining the Cons despite having already fought her, being nice to the Cons, and willing to work with Bulkhead over a common enemy, he really could have been a legitimate Autobot. Heck, I'd argue that Knockout joining the Autobots was really in service of Breakdown being gone.

Breakdown's a great character, I think second to Soundwave on my favorites list as I was watching the series initially. Even in his design, he strays from the classic decepticon visuals. Like you said, no logo, he's also less sharp and angular then most of the nemesis cast. His yellow eyes strike a middle ground between the red and blue of the Decepticons and Autobots respectively. He's certainly got the potential to be on the other side, but it wouldn't be easy for him. Ironically, his genuine desire to care for others, especially those smaller and weaker then him might cause him to develop more of a connection to the humans on team prime, then the Autobots.

I definitely wonder, maybe Bulkhead and Breakdown could of been good friends with a bit of a competitive history before the war, like who could smash the most walls or who can through the metal beam the farthest

Of all of the Decepticons in TFP, my favorites will always be Breakdown & Knockout. I was really upset when the writters decided to kill off Breakdown with how his corpse was used later on. Those two were legit fantastic as a dynamic duo and you're right to point out about the chemistry between these two characters compared with the Autobots who considered themselves as a family unit, but still have some conflicts and disagreements. I actually thought Breakdown was cute, like a giant soft teddy bear with how he treats his companions. Get him mad and he'll turn into a grizzly.

If I'm honest enough, I actually love Breakdown for some reason but I don't know how to explain why... It was really sad for me to see Breakdown just left the world...😢

I like to think that when Syllas died in Breakdown's desecrated body, it was both them who said "No, Thank you" to Aracnid for breaking them free of suffering.

Oooh, I would love a book review!!! Also, I kind of felt like Dreadwing would have turned into an Autobot, or at least a loner who helps whatever side he deems to be in the right(in the heat of the moment). IDK, Optimus always seemed intent on making him an Autobot, so I kind of wonder what he saw in him.

I don’t think it makes it wasted potential, more like it makes breakdown’s story more tragic

I personally feel it would also add to Knock-out's transition as well. I always felt it was a bit rushed, but if you have Breakdown join the autobot crew first, befriending everyone and still sparring with Bulkhead he does dislike the fact that he has to fight his closest friend. You can have it even reveal a more emotional side of them both, doing little things like have Knock-out ask Breakdown for tools on surgery, but he isn't there or when Smokescreen revs his engine Breakdown gets excited then remembers Knock-out isn't there. Little things like that to show they miss each other that all comes to an end where Breakdown and Knock-out fight but have a speech from Breakdown saying "you are my best friend, I don't want to kill you, I don't even want to kill you. I know the autobots have hurt us in the past but if they can accept a rustbucket like me I am sure they will accept the slickest car in the galaxy." And Knock-out and him hug, and join the autobots I feel would work amazingly well

As someone who absolutely LOVES Knockout and Breakdown, and has a character who is friendos with them, I've actually re-written the story where they defect after M.E.C.H. tore Breakdown's optic out. First, being rouge before fully going Autobot during the beginning of ?season three? (Whenever they disbanded because the base was destroyed) ANYWAYS I have... reasons for why he *was* a Decepticon as I will explain in the following paragraphs. Breakdown and Bulkhead were construction bots together, even being Wreckers before the war started. However, this was to only bring in some extra units for homing/necessities because, friend and partner, Knockout is most likely living with him and is going through medic training. Knockout was forced to join the Decepticons after wounded radicals forced the mech to treat them (high-key breaking into their homing) so he hears plans to leave Cybertron via taking the Harbinger to a different planet. The catch is you have to brand yourself as a Decepticon in order to board the ship. Breakdown doesn't personally believe in the war so he's skeptical about this, but in fear of the planet dying, he agrees. He confronts Bulkhead about this, but can't get enough details in the conversation in order to make it not seem like a betrayal (i.e. Wreckers mostly being Autobots) They go to earth and hence Harbinger is crashed so no going back. The reason why Breakdown respects authority is because he's seen the horrors of war and knows just how powerful Megatron is. If he disobeyed Starscream, he'd go and blab to Megatron. I'm going to post the story on archive of our own, maybe post a link here when I'm done however, Ringside is an oc involved in the story so.... Yeah, eventually becomes good guy and huzzah! He lives

I freaking love Breakdown and, although I wish he could have at least lasted longer in the show, you made some really good points on what wouldn't have happended if he stayed alive, so I guess it's understandable. Knockout would have probably joined the Autobots with him sooner or later because of their close bond, but Miko would hate KO since he tried to kill Bulkhead and trapped her in that container a while later. Also, you really don't like Wheeljack do you? 😂

My issue with his death is that it was meaningless. Characters can die and have still meaning but a meaningless death makes a character seem less valuable in retrospect.

All the questions you're asking it 15:44 deserve to be a fanfiction.

My biggest irritation with Prime was the fact that I wanted basically every Decepticon to join the Autobots, unless they were killed in the episode they were introduced, they all have reasons to join the Autobots and it would have been really enjoyable to see how they interact with their new allies. I wish Transformers Prime continued, showing Cybertrons reconstruction and Decepticons join the autobots in their new common goal and could even introduce new Decepticon Factions who refuse to accept that the war is over or are simply to far gone to rejoin Cybertronian society. It would have been great to see Sounwave discover that Megatron basically gives up on the war and see Soundwave try to work with the Autobots as a result. I especially would have loved to have seen Starscream join the Autobots, at least once the war was done.

13:04, Arcee: "PUT ME DOWN YOUR CRUSHING MY ROBOT SPINE!!!"

Breakdown was the balancing force of the Decepticons, a way to show that the Decepticons had their own goals and motives, and weren't just evil for the sake of evil. It would have blown my mind if Breakdown's attitude towards others had started to rub off on the other Decepticons; And I guess it did a bit, like when Megatron was concerned about the Vehicons during the Cybertronian-zombie outbreak.

I believe that Breakdown could've been an Autobot! Had he lived, I strongly believe that he would switch sides with Knock Out! He had so much potential!! I'm still salty that they killed the precious boi :( Also, I'm a diehard KO x BD shipper lmao XDD

Knockout was always my favorite but Breakdown was pretty much right behind him. He has respect and always dropped everything to buff any of KO's scratches. Sure he did try to kill the Autobots and humans, but atleast he fought alongside Bulkhead against M.E.C.H after being rescued. He has shown a soft spot multiple times in the show and of course he had a tendency to wreck things, he's a wrecker thats what he was good at. I also feel like if he were to convert to the Autobots Knockout would follow as they are partners and Breakdown would always be there to protect him. Overall, Breakdown has my respect.

Breakdown is "technically speaking" not dead anymore thanks to Takara's: Unite Warriors manga stories. It explained how he was revived and summoned into the G1 Cartoon World. At the end of the Ruination Chapter: Part Two he was sent back into his home world and was happily reunited with his old partner. Since Knock Out is now an Autobot following the end of Prime, I assume he told Breakdown what happened and sort of convinced him to join the true "winning team".

Tbh Breakdown would’ve made a great Wrecker, he’s got the personality

Reason they killed him off was bc they couldn’t afford the voice actor anymore :(

the episode when bulkhead help him , breakdown helped him too , it would be good if he was autobot

Just IMAGINE if Silus's crew had used a normal deception corpse from a wreckage of a fight. If they were keeping Breakdown, maybe the same 'Zombie Apocolypse' could've happened but with a normal-esc deception. FURTHERMORE, Silus could've infultraited the deception war-ship and had an episode where he is blending in, and at some point discovered. If Breakdown was still on Decepticon side, this interaction would be cool if he ever met Silus in his deception form. ANYHOO MORE FUN BRAINSTORMING!! (PS: Maybe Breakdown would've lost his arm or maybe even his other eye to Airachnid. If Dreadwing got there in time to blast Airachnid away, then maybe Breakdown would just be traumatized instead of dead.)

I think Prime's biggest problem is that it would constantly blow its load way too early whenever it introduced or alluded to any interesting ideas, and then it would have nothing to fall back onto for actual content later. Silas and MECH, Airachnid's rebelling and Insecticon army, Bulkhead being poisoned, Starscream's clones, Starcsream leaving the Decepticons, Dreadwing, etc. Season 1 doesn't have this problem. The first half of it does an ongoing plot really well: Starscream leading the Decepticons. Sprinkled throughout that, and after that, are quality, stand alone adventures and the season finale. Once season 2 starts, the overall planning quality goes down the toilet with more treasure hunts and dropped plot threads. I know it’s not inherently the fault of the writing team, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

I feel as if Breakdown had not been killed, he, Knockout, and Starscream might have actually broken off on their own. And with that cause other Decepticons, like Dreadwing and Skyquake to reconsider their allegiances. They would not become Autobots. Too much water under the bridge for that to ever work. But as a team of freelancers and wild cards, they would have made for some very interesting stories.

THANK YOU! I’ve been saying for years that Breakdown was a huge missed opportunity. A couple years back, I had an idea where after Silas is removed from him, he has an epiphany about the the horrors of war and realizes the Decepticons were no longer the honorable faction he once knew, and defects to being a Neutral, sorta like Thundercracker from the IDW continuity. Such a shame what happened to him.

I think the Story Writers didn’t this through, as much as I love Transformer Prime I think this is indeed a wasted character potential. I hope there’s a fanfic about this!

Breakdown and Dreadwing are on par for nicest Cons. I mean, even though Dreadwing was a bit more sadistic, I really only see it as Dreadwing just wanting to avenge Skyquake's death.

0:53 "so maybe i shouldbe speaking of breakdown in the past tense" you mean *Br0KeDowN?*

Honestly, I hated the death of Breakdown. Yeah, Prime was a very visceral show, a lot of characters were killed, or permanently-injured with a couple of exceptions, but I loved Armada Starscream, and as such, I was really hoping to see Breakdown become that for Prime. HE had all the perfect tellings of a Con turned good sort of story, but we never got that. I would have loved to see Wheeljack have a look of total shock when he saw Breakdown, and Bulkhead, two mortal enemies, suddenly all chummy in the Autobot base. That could have added a massive layer of depth with Wheeljack becoming bitter, and envious, being a close friend to Bulk, yet this former Con was now even closer to him than he was. Imagine if that somehow caused Wheeljack to feel betrayed? He's proven that things can really sway him easily a few times. He has no respect for authority, he's reckless, and basically already is a loner, so imagine if that pushed him to the other side? So then we'd have Breakdown redeemed, Knockout likely following his friend, not getting along with Ratchet at first, but eventually the two of them being a perfect pair of bickering masters of their practice. two Cons now bots, and one Autobot abandoner now tempted to be a Con, someone that betrayed the group for his own personal wants then feeling betrayed, and turning on them. He was already so far removed from the scientist, and engineer we know Wheeljack to be, so having him become a bitter Con purely because of what perceives as a betrayed friendship would have been an interesting addition along with Breakdown's switching sides. I can even see Breakdown having all this confusion about his own decisions, and momentarily thinking less of himself for abandoning his comrades only for Optimus, and Bulkhead to sort of help reassure him of his decisions. Optimus definitely has a way with words in the world of Prime, so that could have been another interesting layer. I love the show, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it to the end, but the one thing I really wish was different.. Well, really was just Breakdown.

His death, was terrible. Killed then, have a human be put inside of me, basically revide with dark energon. He was my favorite character from g1 and prime.

3:58, this is actually canon with the original Breakdown. He was a member of the Stunticons and was characterized as being paranoid and easily scared. Although I don't think he was called a combiner in Prime, or if combiners are even a thing in Prime? Edit:Also, with the thing about Breakdown being the only Con who respects Starscream, I think he gets that from his having to deal with Motormaster in this continuity (ya know, if he was even a Stunicon in this universe).

i think dreadwing was considering joining the autobots though never actually mentioning it, dreadwing was already growing tired of the decepticons, if megatron hadn't killed him dreadwing may have joined the autobots, dreadwing never actually wanted to fight and he only wanted peace, the only real reason dreadwing was fighting everyone was because he knew someone killed his twin skyquake but he didn't know who did, fun fact the one who actually truly killed skyquake was bumblebee, ok sure i know this video is about breakdown not dreadwing but it still counts as both breakdown and dreadwing could have joined the autobots, but neither actually did officially sadly, but it counts due to the similar situation the only difference being the reasons

2:55 I think the reason Bulkhead fought Breakdown here was to spare Bumblebee of getting absolutely thumped, not because he's just looking for another clash In any case, you brought up some good points and I think most of the Decepticon characters have redeemable qualities, which is part of what has made this franchise interesting for so long

Never realised how kind break down was until this video. Well done.

*Knockout:* Come to papa. *Bulkhead:* Run to mommy. *Breakdown:* Say uncle. My god, that was brilliant.

Dreadwing was another one even though he wanted to avenge his brother he had a sense of honor and respected the Autobots and got killed by Megatron he could have made a great addition to the Autobots

I loved Breakdown's character so much, it was sad to see his potential cast aside, but he lives on through character analysis like this! I hope you'll get to 5k subs, those book reviews would be awesome!

It's a shame we never got a Prime or RID episode that explained Knockout and Breakdown's backstory. I've always wondered how they met each other and became so close.

I love Prime Breakdown. I love everything about this version of the character. His cool voice, great personality, relationship with Knockout, endless rival with Bulkhead, and his awesome design. Breakdown has one of the coolest redesign ever, maintain some of his G1 design but addin some new design elements to him to make him even bulkier and badass to keep up with the Prime asthetics. His death saddens me and such waste of a great character. Maybe that's due to the writers mistake of killing him off not Arachnid fault. Also, isn't wrong that I prefer Transformers Prime version of Breakdown than G1 version of Breakdown? Because G1 version of Breakdown is just he is just there to fill in the Decepticon ranks and nothing made him standout to me otherthan his design.

I wish we saw more of Knockout as an established autobot after Predacons Rising. We briefly see him listed as one of the blacklisted autobots/ Optimus Prime symphathizers in an RID episode so that confirms that he fully switched sides.

I do feel like both Breakdown and Dreadwing's death were both wasted. Dreadwing had a deep sense of honor that was paralleled to an Autobot and Starscream made a zombie out of his brother (which was the dumbest thing to do!). It would've made more sense where now thinking about it, Knockout's kinda came out of the blue.

Breakdown could be an Autobot since a few episodes in the series, if Starscream would not have appeared and would not have questioned him about the rescue, Breakdown could apologize with Bulkhead and think about what he have done, but Airachnid come first and.... we know, it happens to Dreadwing, a potential Autobot wasted by his own cause

Its so sad that this happened we shall always remember all the transformers who died graciously 😢😢😢😢❤

Something I notice, Breakdown is the only con in the show that does not have claws for fingers unlike everyone else. This make me think that he used to be an autobot that turned to the decepticons but never fully embraced their cause, still being, a somewhat kind. This is why I like breakdown the most out of all the cons. He also has a pretty cool design and weaponry.

Ultra Magnus would have been the happiest commander alive if he was in charge on Breakdown

I personally hate what they did with Arachnid. She was one of my favorite characters in the show.

When I first saw Breakdown as a child, I always wondered if he could’ve possibly been an Autobot who joined the Decepticons. He just has that Autobot design to him imo.

Eh, I'm still not sure about the whole "Breakdown becoming an Autobot" thing. It's pretty clear Breakdown did some pretty horrendous stuff for him and Bulkhead to hate each other so badly and I don't know if in the span of one or two episodes I could conceivably believe them burying the hatchet. This is just me, but I think the more realistic path would have been to have Knock Out and Breakdown just decide they didn't want to fight anymore and desert the 'Cons, maybe taking a portion of the troops with them due to the general respect they give them. Obviously that's not how it went down, but that was the conclusion kid-me arrived at before... well... Breakdown got broken down.

Poor Breakdown. Not even close to the most sentimental character but one of the most tragic deaths in my opinion. A loyal soldier who simply followed orders, I don’t believe he was evil deep down. What I wouldn’t give to see him and Knockout both defect and bolster the Autobot ranks. Although I think Knockout’s defection was not nearly as well set up.

y'know... that would've been a really interesting plot. Like Megatron's such an abusive piece of shit that he keeps losing soldiers to the autobots XD

Imagine a story arc where Breakdown leads a vehicon rebellion.

I thought he would be an Autobot mostly because of his design, especially his yellow eyes, which are a contrast to the other Decepticons’ red eyes.

From the beginning his respectful personality and grounded vehicle form I always thought he can be a Great autobot. Especially a wrecker

I like to believe that whatever is left of Mech just kept Breakdown's spark in some science tube in some storage house because Breakdown was just taken apart but his spark was left alone, although unlikely I like to believe that it is so

thank you for making this video about Breakdown. He is one of my favorite cybertronian's in Transformers Prime alongside Knockout and some of the Autobots.

breakdown was one of my fav characters

4:47 KO: come to papa Bulkhead: run to mommy Breakdown: say uncle Me: •yelling at Breakdown• CAN IT GRANDPA!!! 😈😎

Honestly, I think the sole reason he joined the deceptions is so he’s be on the same side as knockout

I liked breakdown the first time I saw him because of his vehicle mode

I wish there was exploration in the past between Bulkhead and Breakdown. Maybe have Bulkhead learn of Breakdown's brutal demise at the hands of Airachnid and have flashbacks of him and Breakdown both before the war and during the war

I adore all of your TFP videos! So happy that the fandom is still alive and kicking :) Fun fact: In the IDW comics Knockout and Breakdown are canonically a couple.

I actually think that both me and Breakdown have more In-common then a thought..? Because- 1-we both can be a brute or a calm person. (or in his case cybertronian) 2-we both get insulted easily. 3-we both can fight when we really don't need to. 4-we both are unsecured with who is around us. 5-we both have a love for Babies/Sparklings. 6-we are both calm or stress when talking to authority/adults/parents etc.

A buddy and I have a relationship similar to breakdown and knockout and I’m just now realizing how much I related to the character

The thing is after Bulkhead saved Breakdown he actually was considering joining the Autobots and was struggling with the decision because Starscream was right there. Now I wanna see what happens it he still lived and joined the Autobots

After what she did to Breakdown i have hated her ever since...

BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN Listen BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN 3 2 1 Let's go!

I wanted him to become an Autobot so he could befriend Miko and continue his rivalry with Bulkhead by fighting for the spot as her Autobot friend .Same way I wanted Dreadwing to befriend Cody Burns . But he is , funnily enough , wrong in many things .He said Airachnid's demeanor and spider characteristics are unatractive and her personality is the atractive bit but it is actually the other way around .

My personal opinion in response to the questions in the title: Yes, and Yes.

I clearly remember in the episode operation: breakdown, when stars cream arrives and he may have just ruined breakdowns chsnce to be an autobot. I mean, just look at the way he says, "but bulkhead got me out a there." You can tell he doesn't plan to waste someone who just saved his life.

It's kind of sad that the main reason they killed characters off was for the sake of saving money. The less important/popular characters that were not needed were killed off to save money so they didn't have to pay voice actors. It's also why the miscellaneous Human characters stopped appearing. Those factors considered though, they worked with it and got rid of the characters quite well. My only complaint though is that Breakdown's death should have came at the hands of Bulkhead.

One thing, they are a cannon married couple in the comics! That’s why breakdown and Knockout are fun and close with eachother

He could've been like, best friends with Magnus. If only.