Starscream's actual fate, according to Blackarachnia, was getting blown to pieces by Galvatron after betraying Megatron - as seen in The Transformers: The Movie (1986).
While possessed by Starscream, one of Waspinator's Predacon insignias (as seen on the side of his head) changes into a Decepticon insignia.
During a fight, Rhinox says "it's tramplin' time!" This refers to the Thing (of the Fantastic Four), a superhero who was big and strong and had a catchphrase: "It's clobberin' time!"
Starscream apparently imprisoned Optimus Primal in shackles he breaks out of five seconds later. According to story/editor Bob Forward, Primal originally had a very complex method of breaking free which involved tools and the dexterity of his "beast mode" appendages. But due to time/monetary constraints, the animators altered this to him simply bursting from his bonds.