History Main / AsskickingLeadsToLeadership

* In ''ComicBook/XMen: ComicBook/{{The End|MarvelComics}}'', an OlderAndWiser Kitty Pryde (not the best ass-kicker in the X-Men, but still a good one) becomes President of the United States.

* In ''Webcomic/TwoKinds'' the Basitin operate on this principle after the three generals are killed the succession is largely decided by means of duels, and the king is nearly eight feet tall, in a species that is rarely more than 5'5".

** The Franchise/MonsterVerse continuity makes this a part of it’s worldbuilding- the usual kaiju RedBarons that call them a King/Queen of something (King of the Monsters, Queen of the Monsters, King of the Primates, King of Terror, etc) have to be earned by the holder- usually by combat- and the possession of such a title grants a kaiju some degree of control over those who don’t. By what nature the control works is unknown, but it seems to be something between MindControl and just instinctive nature for kaiju. Notably, Ghidorah doesn’t get called ''King'' Ghidorah until ''after'' [[spoiler: he seemingly kills Godzilla in single combat, takes the “King of the Monsters” title from him, and proceeds to use his newfound position of authority to command the Earth’s Titans to awaken and assist him in bringing about his ApocalypseHow.]] Holding a “King” or “Queen” title also seems to exempt one from another kaiju’s control- [[spoiler: Both Mothra and Kong were unaffected by Ghidorah’s coup, and both take an active role in stopping him- Mothra fights alongside the NotQuiteDead Godzilla to assist him in reclaiming his throne, while Kong in the novelization fights the Skullcrawlers who have breached the surface to answer Ghidorah’s summons.]] Meanwhile, in [[Film/GodzillaVsKong the sequel]], a large part of the reason for the conflict between Godzilla and Kong is that Godzilla views Kong as a threat to his dominance- and while Kong’s not interested in ruling the kaiju, he sure as hell doesn’t take kindly to Godzilla targeting him.

* In ''ComicBook/XMen: ComicBook/TheEnd'', an OlderAndWiser Kitty Pryde (not the best ass-kicker in the X-Men, but still a good one) becomes President of the United States.

* [[LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero Saito Hiraga]] invokes this ''beautifully'' in ''Fanfic/JusPrimaeNoctis'' when [[spoiler: he storms into the tent with the rebel generals where they’re meeting under truce to negotiate and tells them to sit down, shut up, and surrender to Henrietta or he’ll kill them all]]. They're not technically bound to obey his orders, since they were trying to use this trope and stage a coup, but they submit.

A SubTrope of BadassInCharge, for any kind of badass in charge, and SuperiorSuccessor, for why the new authority kicks the old one's ass. Compare HeroismEqualsJobQualification and ChallengingTheChief, which when one specific position in the hierarchy requires physical force but the whole system normally doesn't work this way. See also IFightForTheStrongestSide.

Not to be confused with AuthorityGrantsAsskicking, which often overlaps with this trope. The distinction depends on what type of story you're telling. A story about a contender rising through the hierarchy by kicking the asses of his rivals counts as Asskicking Leads To Leadership. A story about a hero confronting a villainous organisation whose members became ever tougher as he closes in on the leader counts as AuthorityGrantsAsskicking. In other words, if you're TheLeader ''because'' you're the toughest, then that is this trope; if you're the toughest because you're TheLeader then that is the other trope. Note that a leader who simply ''happens'' to be strong is neither trope.

* In ''Webcomic/{{SSDD}}'' this is the basic principle of the Collective of Anarchist States' hierarchy, though most challenges are non-violent, a lower ranking Advisor is promoted if he challenges a superior's decisions and gets a better result. The CORE is a bit more AuthorityGrantsAsskicking due to their use of cybernetic implants.

* ''ComicBook/BlackPanther'': In Wakanda, they hold a tournament where anyone can challenge the current king for the right to take the throne. Also, Erik Killmonger once briefly became the new Black Panther after killing T'Challa in combat ([[OnlyMostlyDead T'Challa got better]]).

* In ''Fanfic/TheSmeetSeries'', the [[LizardFolk Sobrekt]] have this as a key part of their culture, as all positions of authority (from ship captain all the way up to their supreme leader, the ''Shuryo'') can have their incumbents be challenged by underlings, with a one-on-one fight settling the matter. The Irkens find this stupid, [[HypocriticalHumor but it's pointed out]] that since they choose their leaders based on ''height'', they have no right to judge.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'': The pack of dogs seems to work on this. Given that packs of wild canines usually do work this way, it's also TruthInTelevision.

** ''Film/BlackPanther2018'', the throne of Wakanda, and mantle of Black Panther, is passed from father to son, but during the coronation ceremony, anyone can challenge for the throne. The king is stripped of his enhanced abilities to make sure the best man wins, not just because of the Panther abilities.

* ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'': A member of the royal family can challenge the king to a trial by combat for the throne of Atlantis.
--> "By bloodshed do the gods make known their will."

* ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'': As the Necromongers say, "[[YouKillItYouBoughtIt You keep what you kill]]."

* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
** ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'', Captain America has to rally the New York City police to respond to the invading aliens and evacuate the civilians. The police commander on the scene scoffs at Cap's orders, saying that he has no reason to listen to Rogers. Then three aliens suddenly leap down upon them, [[CurbStompBattle who Cap beats down in seconds with just his fists and shield.]] The police commander immediately spins around and begins relaying Cap's orders almost verbatim.
** ''Film/{{Black Panther|2018}}'', the throne of Wakanda, and mantle of Black Panther, is passed from father to son, but during the coronation ceremony, anyone can challenge for the throne. The king is stripped of his enhanced abilities to make sure the best man wins, not just because of the Panther abilities.

** {{Deconstructed|Trope}} with Adam Taurus, a leader figure for the White Fang. His combat prowess earns him respect in the organization and leads the High Leader, Sienna Khan, to put Adam in charge of a White Fang cell in Vale. There, he garners the attention of Cinder and her faction, who provide him with resources to expand his power. Eventually, he manages to kill Sienna and take over the White Fang as a whole... [[spoiler:but he has no real leadership ability; he's too AxCrazy, [[StupidEvil spiteful]], and generally unstable to actually keep an organization together. The White Fang disbands after a few months of [[GeneralFailure Adam's leadership]], because he is incapable of thinking in the long term and putting the needs of the group above his personal vendettas.]]

* In ''Webcomic/{{SSDD}}'' this is the basic principle of the Collective of Anarchist States' hierarchy, though most challenges are non-violent, a lower ranking Advisor is promoted if he challenges a superior's decisions and gets a better result. The CORE is a bit more AuthorityEqualsAsskicking due to their use of cybernetic implants.

* How society works in the ''Webcomic/{{Unordinary}}'' world. You have status based on your power, though this includes people with noncombat powers that are useful to the powerful people as well, like the LivingLieDetector who works for the Authorities or Elaine with her HealingHands. Thus AuthorityEqualsAsskicking is often but not always true.

TheLeader of such a group is usually the BigBad[=/=]BigGood and has AuthorityEqualsAsskicking up the wazoo. It's especially likely for there to be one or two [[TheStarscream Starscreams]] hovering near the main bad guy. Grunts will usually be sociopathic enough for the heroes not to [[WhatMeasureIsAMook feel bad about killing]], but you can expect them to be especially easy to [[MookFaceTurn turn]] with displays of kindness because MachiavelliWasWrong.

One thing they have going for them is that they acknowledge the same strength in outsiders, as well. If a MightyWhitey manages to defeat one of them (indeed, the plot often requires that he does this) the majority will acknowledge him as the new leader. For an especially delicious twist, the leader of such a group will be an X hater (misogynist, racist, [[FantasticRacism anti-human, whatever]]) and of course, a person from said group ''will'' beat them sooner or later and earn control of the tribe.

(Heroes who do this out of necessity will usually renounce the position once they no longer need it and give it back to the old leader or another more worthy person.)

What happens when the people of the PlanetOfHats believe AuthorityGrantsAsskicking? They create a civilization, nation, or culture that bases its social hierarchy and governance on whosoever is strongest among them. Obviously, this is likely to lead to a lot of {{Klingon Promotion}}s and/or {{Cain and Abel}}s.

* Almost every single action movie hero takes charge of whatever situation they deal with, precisely because they're kicking the most ass and usually there is nobody who wants to challenge them.

--> By bloodshed do the gods make known their will.
* In ''Film/{{Avatar}}'', Jake Sully proves himself the leader of the Na'vi by taking, as his personal mount, the biggest, baddest beast in the sky.

** In ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'', Captain America has to rally the New York City police to respond to the invading aliens and evacuate the civilians. The police commander on the scene scoffs at Cap's orders, saying that he has no reason to listen to Rogers. Then three aliens suddenly leap down upon them, [[CurbStompBattle who Cap beats down in seconds with just his fists and shield.]] The police commander immediately spins around and begins relaying Cap's orders almost verbatim.
** In ''Film/{{Black Panther|2018}}'', the throne of Wakanda, and mantle of Black Panther, is passed from father to son, but during the coronation ceremony, anyone can challenge for the throne. The king is stripped of his enhanced abilities to make sure the best man wins, not just because of the Panther abilities.
* As the Necromongers say in ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'', "[[YouKillItYouBoughtIt You keep what you kill]]."
* The tribe of not-so-friendly neighborhood cannibals in ''Film/{{Doomsday}}'' uses this trope. [[spoiler: At the end, the protagonist [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt takes control of it by delivering them the head of their former leader]].]]
* Franchise/{{Godzilla}}. He didn't earn the title "King of the Monsters" for nothing. Likewise his [[Film/{{Godzilla 2014}} 2014 counterpart]] gets his title through this.
* Played for laughs in ''Film/{{Idiocracy}}'', where President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho is porn superstar and five-time Ultimate Smackdown wrestling champion. Though he was presumably elected, and was popular because of the wrestling and porn. Seeing how physically unimposing but smarter than everyone else in that era [[spoiler: Joe Bowers]] becomes president after him.
* In ''Film/JurassicWorld'', the ''Indominus rex'' convinces [[spoiler: Owen's ''Velociraptors'']] to join her side, presumably by discussing her badassery with them. In doing so, she becomes their [[spoiler:new]] Alpha. Owen realises this was possible because ''I. rex'' is part-[[spoiler:raptor]]. Thankfully, he's able to use his ParentalSubstitute status to bring the sisters back to his side.

* In ''Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes'', the apes believe in following the strongest. Caesar is forced to fight Koba to retake leadership [[spoiler:after Koba's failed assassination attempt.]]

* In ''Film/TheQuickAndTheDead'', Herod is the mayor of a small town because he has the most hired muscle on his side and he is nigh unbeatable in a gunfight.
* Optimus Prime earns the Dinobots allegiance in ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'' by beating Grimlock in a fight.

* Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath's ''Star Trek'' TOS writings are all about this. Especially in ''[[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/638679747?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1 The Prometheus Design]]'' wherein we learn that Spock has been living in a restrained world all these years. Vulcan superiority is their obsessive AuthorAppeal.
* Fimblvetrian society works on this principle in ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/184872/honor-for-the-enemy Honor for the Enemy]]''.
* Want to know how to handle impatient hostages you're trying to rescue? Kick the crap of a {{Mecha Mook|s}}, which is what Rob Jackson did in ''Fanfic/PowerRangersGPX''.
* Played straight in the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' fanfiction ''Fanfic/ShinraHighSOLDIER''. Raw, one-on-one physical combat skill is the sole quality required to become the general of the entire Shinra army, by beating the previous one in the Challenges. Sephiroth, an 18-year-old who had been a soldier for only a few months, defeats Heidegger and becomes general of the entire army. His 16-year-old girlfriend Julia becomes commander by defeating Commander Kinneas.
* In ''Fanfic/ParisBurning'' and the [[{{Literature/Cityverse}} universe it inspired]], [[NationsAsPeople personifications of cities]] compete fiercely for the right to be capital of their country. Depending on the traditions of the society and the temperaments of the combatants, these conflicts can be long campaigns of political intrigue and underhanded violence, or simple face-to-face duels.
* [[LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero Saito Hiraga]] invokes this ''beautifully'' in ''Fanfic/JusPrimaeNoctis'' when [[spoiler: he storms into the tent with the rebel generals where they’re meeting under truce to negotiate and tells them to sit down, shut up, and surrender to Henrietta or he’ll kill them all]]. They're not technically bound to obey his orders, since they were trying to use this trope and stage a coup, but they submit.
* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'':
** [[WorldsStrongestMan Kyril's]] combat prowess is what earns him the titles of knight and Lord Executioner respectively. It is also the reason why he has to lead troops into battle, something that irritates him so much that he even lampshades this in Chapter 4 of the remastered version.
--->''"Kyril moved in silence. He fought and killed in silence, and the men who were nominally under his command knew that he was not to be messed with but followed him regardless of their feelings on the matter. Truth to be told, he was irritated at this situation. He did not lead men into battle, he was not a true soldier. Kyril was a killer, yes, but not a soldier. He did not know his flank from his foot, or the words required to rise men up.''

--->''Hunters did not consider battle lines, the experience of the troops under their command, or what supplies they needed to wage war. Hunters killed, and that was it. What was Vault playing at, putting him in charge of these men? There were better options in his company for troop leaders."''
** For the [[BeastMan Wild Ones]], strength is what matters. Whoever is the strongest takes lead.
* In ''Fanfic/OriginStory'', Alex Harris is able to ignore the Metahuman Registration Act because, to be blunt, the only beings in the Franchise/MarvelUniverse powerful enough to enforce on her just don't give a damn about puny humans and their political squabbles.
* In the FanFilm ''Film/JudgeMinty'', Aquila, the leader of the Cursed Earth outlaws, is by far the most dangerous member due to his vast telekinetic powers, which is presumably also the reason why he's in charge in the first place. When the rest of his gang is quickly picked off by the lizard creatures, he initially manages to hold them off repeatedly before numbers take their toll.
* In ''Fanfic/{{Vapors}}'' the Fourth Raikage is held up as an example of why using combat ability as the only requirement for leadership is a bad idea.
* ''Fanfic/TheGodEmpressOfPonykind''; after Celestia and Luna defeat Discord, the ponies beg them (mostly the former) to become rulers of Equestria, as no one else was strong enough to stand up to Discord, let alone defeat him.

* In ''Fanfic/SonOfTheSannin'', after receiving the special chakra from Hamura Otsutsuki, Hinata's Byakugan evolves into the ''Tenseigan''. This alone would make her more powerful than any other Hyuga alive once it fully matures, so her mother decides to step down as the clan head and name her as her successor.

* In ''Fanfic/{{Rivalry}}'', for the Haddocks and Hoffersons, winning the honor of killing their first dragon after dragon-training is not just for bragging rights.
--> '''Gobber''': An' if Astrid or Hiccup wins, they will be declared Heir to the Throne of Berk, with all the rights an' privileges, blah blah blah.
* In ''Fanfic/TheSmeetSeries'', the [[LizardFolk Sobrekt]] have this as a key part of their culture, as all positions of authority (from ship captain all the way up to their supreme leader, the ''Shuryo'') can have their incumbents be challenged by underlings, with a one-on-one fight settling the matter. The Irkens find this stupid, [[HypocriticalHumor but it's pointed out]] that since they choose their leaders based on ''height'', they have no right to judge.

* In ''Fanfic/TheWeaverOption'' Taylor learns that to claim their crown the ancient Aeldari Emperors were required to defeat a Phoenix Lord in combat and either command or kill 666,666 Aeldari nobles. [[spoiler:Taylor, having met those requirements during the raid on Commorragh, is able to successfully name herself Empress because [[LoopholeAbuse the Aeldari never though to exclude other races]].]]

* ''Fanfic/JWITCHSeries'': In Season 2, Drago, Raythor, Frost and Hak Foo fight each other for the right to lead the Knights of Vengeance, with Drago eventually coming out the winner.

* ''ComicBook/XMenTheEnd'': An OlderAndWiser ComicBook/KittyPryde (not the best asskicker on the ComicBook/XMen, but still a good one) becomes President of the United States.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':

What happens when the people of the PlanetOfHats believe AuthorityEqualsAsskicking? They create a civilization, nation, or culture that bases its social hierarchy and governance on whosoever is strongest among them. Obviously, this is likely to lead to a lot of {{Klingon Promotion}}s and/or {{Cain and Abel}}s.

Not to be confused with AuthorityEqualsAsskicking, which often overlaps with this trope. The distinction depends on what type of story you're telling. A story about a contender rising through the hierarchy by kicking the asses of his rivals counts as Asskicking Equals Authority. A story about a hero confronting a villainous organisation whose members became ever tougher as he closes in on the leader counts as AuthorityEqualsAsskicking. In other words, if you're TheLeader ''because'' you're the toughest, then that is this trope; if you're the toughest because you're TheLeader then that is the other trope. Note that a leader who simply ''happens'' to be strong is neither trope.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/AnimeAndManga
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/{{Literature}}
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/LiveActionTV
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/TabletopGames
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/VideoGames
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/WesternAnimation
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority/RealLife

* This trope is one of the factors in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling's {{dork age}} during the 2000s. Wrestlers would be pushed solely for their success in mixed martial arts bouts, regardless of how well they wrestled or if it even made any sense. Things largely turned around in the 2010s.

* In Wakanda of ''ComicBook/BlackPanther'', they hold a tournament where anyone can challenge the current king for the right to take the throne. Also, [[ComicBook/{{Killmonger}} Erik Killmonger]] once briefly became the new Black Panther after killing T'Challa in combat ([[OnlyMostlyDead T'Challa got better]]).
* In the ''[[{{Elseworld}} X-Men: The End]]'' limited series, an OlderAndWiser ComicBook/KittyPryde (not the best asskicker on the ComicBook/XMen, but still a good one) becomes President of the United States.

* In Wakanda of ''ComicBook/BlackPanther'', they hold a tournament where anyone can challenge the current king for the right to take the throne. Also, [[Comicbook/{{Killmonger}} Erik Killmonger]] once briefly became the new Black Panther after killing T'Challa in combat ([[OnlyMostlyDead T'Challa got better]]).

* ''ComicBook/LesAiglesDeRome'':

* Fimblvetrian society works on this principle in [[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/184872/honor-for-the-enemy Honor for the Enemy]].

* [[LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero Saito Hiraga]] invokes this ''beautifully'' in ''FanFic/JusPrimaeNoctis'' when [[spoiler: he storms into the tent with the rebel generals where they’re meeting under truce to negotiate and tells them to sit down, shut up, and surrender to Henrietta or he’ll kill them all]]. They're not technically bound to obey his orders, since they were trying to use this trope and stage a coup, but they submit.

* In ''FanFic/TheWeaverOption'' Taylor learns that to claim their crown the ancient Aeldari Emperors were required to defeat a Phoenix Lord in combat and either command or kill 666,666 Aeldari nobles. [[spoiler:Taylor, having met those requirements during the raid on Commorragh, is able to successfully name herself Empress because [[LoopholeAbuse the Aeldari never though to exclude other races]].]]

* In at least one universe of the ''WebComic/DragonBallMultiverse'', this is how the Saiyan monarchy is determined: whoever kicks the most ass becomes king. Bardock takes advantage of that: when the Saiyans refused to believe him about Frieza planning to destroy them all, he challenged King Vegeta for the throne and won, giving him the authority to order the Saiyans to attack.