

The Rebirth, Part 1 Punch and the Autobot clones soon reported back to Prime that there was no sign of Kup's team or the key, prompting Prime to consult Vector Sigma for answers. The resulting energy discharge blasted a group of Autobots led by Kup across the galaxy to the planet Nebulos, and the key with them. At Prime's order, Punch, Cloudraker and Fastlane began searching the planet for the key, but unbeknownst to them, it had already been been used to briefly open the Plasma Energy Chamber. Punch was subsequently part of an Autobot contingent led by Prime who pursued the Decepticons to Cybertron. Optimus Prime soon discovered Punch's unconscious body and roused him, but Punch could only silently point to the empty vault, confirming Prime's worst fear. Punch collapsed, and the two clones made off with the contents of the vault – the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber. Wingspan was able to get behind Punch and grabbed him, holding him so that Pounce could savage him in puma mode. Naturally, Counterpunch promptly transformed back to Punch as soon as he had stepped out of the clones' line of sight, and opened fire on them from behind. Anything less, the slightest tremor or waver-it's over, finished. When you're under, right in the belly of the beast, you have to be the role. In one universe, Punch gives in completely to his Counterpunch persona and combines with the Wreckers to form Wreckage. All Autobots are given an energy damper that protects them from the gun's effects but generates pyrotechnics to keep Punch's cover. Counterpunch wields a photon cannon which fires a circuit-scrambling energy stream. Punch is armed with a twin mortar launcher. Punch is suspicious of all those around him, fearing that there could be a double agent among the Autobots operating as easily as he does among the Decepticons.

More recently Punch has suffered blackouts while disguised, the invented Counterpunch personality taking on a life of its own. Punch's entire personality changes when he becomes Counterpunch-although still loyal to the Autobots, Counterpunch is a violent brute that even Decepticons prefer to avoid. His responsibilities as a spy, in addition to the things he's seen among the Decepticons, have made him a mess internally. However, this is an act that hides how paranoid he's become. On the surface, Punch is a stoic individual that can take charge and keep others calm in a crisis. Punch possesses a unique transformation ability that allows him to adopt a second robot mode-posing as a Decepticon named Counterpunch to spy on the 'Cons as a double agent. He takes his energon shaken, AND stirred.
