Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallAsh didn’t beat Brock’s Onix by overpowering it in a fair, clean finish. During their rematch in “Showdown in Pewter City,” a damaged Gym’s sprinklers soaked Onix, giving Pikachu an opening. Ash then recalled Pikachu instead of claiming the advantage as a legitimate win; Brock later awarded him the Boulder Badge for his kindness toward Pokémon.
How the sprinklers changed the fight
Ash’s first attempt at the Pewter Gym ended with Pikachu unable to overcome Onix, so Ash withdrew. After Flint helped him prepare, Ash returned for a rematch. Pikachu defeated Geodude, but its electric attacks initially failed to settle the fight against Onix, which trapped Pikachu with Bind. The Pokémon Company’s official episode synopsis identifies the story as Season 1, Episode 5 and notes Flint’s role in preparing Ash for the rematch.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon: The Movies 1-3 Steelbook Blu-ray Collection | $34.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! (BD) [Blu-ray] | $10.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon XY Mega 3-Movie Collection (BD) [Blu-ray] | $13.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokemon Detective Pikachu (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) | $13.84 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us (BD) [Blu-ray] | $11.99 | Buy on Amazon |
During the battle, an earlier attack damaged the Gym and accidentally activated its sprinklers. Water sprayed over Onix and weakened it. Pikachu’s next electric attack then put Onix at a disadvantage. The scene-by-scene accounts from Bulbapedia and Serebii describe this turn in the fight.
Did Ash really win?
Pikachu gained the upper hand, but Ash did not finish Onix off or claim a straightforward victory. He called Pikachu back because the accidental sprinkler advantage made the fight unfair. Brock later caught up with Ash and gave him the Boulder Badge in recognition of his kindness to Pokémon. The episode therefore ends with Ash receiving the badge, not with a clean battle win over Onix.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Steelbook
- Blu-ray
Which episode is it?
The battle takes place in “Showdown in Pewter City,” Season 1, Episode 5. Bulbapedia lists its Japanese broadcast date as April 29, 1997, and its U.S. broadcast date as September 14, 1998. Those dates refer to the episode’s original broadcasts in those markets.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.




