The What If...? Season 3 premiere, titled What If... T he Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers? reveals a chilling alternate reality where Bruce Banner`s desperation to rid himself of the Hulk backfires spectacularly.In his Gamma Lab, Banner experiments with extreme gamma radiation, accidentally creating a monstrous being called the Apex a kaiju-sized, rage-fuelled version of the Hulk.

The Apex wreaks havoc across the globe, forcing the Avengers to battle it using robotic mechs, only to face devastating losses. Years later, a new generation of Avengers rises and Banner, urged by Sam Wilson, unleashes a supercharged Hulk to destroy the Apex in a climactic battle.

Though non-canon, this episode showcases a darker, more tragic Hulk with catastrophic potential, reminding fans of Bruce Banner`s eternal struggle with the beast within.