WARNING: The following contains spoilers for What If...? Season 1, Episode 6, "What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?," streaming now on Disney+.
Following a date with the undead, What If...? returns to tell a tale that dates back to the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?" explores a reality in which instead of being captured by the Ten Rings in Afghanistan, Tony Stark was saved by an unlikely source in the form of Killmonger.
The events of the episode begin just like they did in 2008's Iron Man, with Tony being part of a convoy that's attacked in Afghanistan. However, after the Jericho missile lands nearby, the man who would become Iron Man is saved by an American soldier, Erik Stevens, aka Killmonger. But without the lessons he learned during his imprisonment, Tony opts to continue to build his weapon manufacturing empire and even brings Stevens on as Chief Security Office at Stark Industries.
During his introductory press conference, Killmonger lets it be known that he was working undercover within the Ten Rings, which is why he knew of the attack, and that Obadiah Stane was behind the whole thing. Enamored with his new ally, Tony promotes Stevens again by making him Stark Industries' Chief Operating Officer, the position previously held by Stane. Pepper Potts, however, is suspicious of Killmonger's intentions, and she has James Rhodes run a background check on him, which reveals little to nothing.
Killmonger then reveals to Tony that, while at MIT, he developed plans for automated combat drones that would make human soldiers obsolete but never could crack the interface. And wanting to help his friend, Tony agrees to help him finish the project. They run into a snag, however, and require a new power source. Killmonger explains that vibranium would work, but without enough on hand, they'll need the help of Ulysses Klaue, a black-market arms dealer who specializes in the metal.
Tony and Killmonger decide to send Rhodey to handle the transaction, but things quickly turn south when T'Challa arrives looking for the vibranium. Killmonger uses his cousin's presence as an opportunity and takes out both T'Challa and Rhodey before revealing he was in league with Klaue the whole time. Killmonger returns to Tony, but his boss has already figured out what really happened and unleashes the combat drone on him. Sadly, Killmonger gets the upper hand and kills Tony with a Dora Milaje spear, framing the Wakandans for the murder.
In the aftermath, General Ross arrives and orders Stark Industries to put the Liberator Drones in production, with the plan being to attack Wakanda. After arriving in the country, Kilmonger is given a tour by Klaue, but the soldier turns on his guide before bringing his body to the Wakandans as a gift. King T'Chaka welcomes him home, but the reunion is interrupted by Killmonger's claim that war is on their doorstep. He explains how to defeat the Liberator Drones, but it turns out to be another one of his lies.
Killmonger unleashes his weapons on Wakanda but acts as if he's fighting to destroy them. This allows him to gain the trust of his uncle and family, so much so, T'Chaka makes him the next Black Panther. In the spirit world, Killmonger is confronted by T'Challa, who warns him of the path he's on. Meanwhile, back at Stark Industries, Pepper is visited by Shuri, who reveals the truth about Tony's death and offers to help take down Killmonger.
To see how Killmonger rose to power, the latest episode of What If...? is streaming now on Disney+.