Line #116 Main/HypotheticalFightDebate


1	[[quoteright:320:[[Series/TheFinder https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pirates_v_samurai.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:320:[[PiratesVersusNinjas Pirates win]], [[TakeAThirdOption obviously.]]]]
3
4	->''"I don't care if [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk The Hulk]] could defeat [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} the Man of Steel]]''\
5	''I'm gonna rearrange your face if you continue to debate''\
6	''Whether [[ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} Logan]]'s claws could pierce [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve Rogers]]' shield!"''
7	-->-- '''Ookla the Mok''', "Stop Talking About Comic Books or I'll Kill You"
8
9	One way to show just how nerdy some characters are is to have them idly debating who would win in a hypothetical fight between two fictional characters. The debate can be made even more pointless and absurd if the characters are non-violent or not even owned by the same company.
10
11	It can also be a debate about things other than characters, such as [[Franchise/StarTrek Enterprise]] vs. [[Franchise/StarWars Star Destroyer]], PiratesVersusNinjas, etc. The key element is pretty much discussing CoolVsAwesome. Sometimes, instead of a physical fight, they're more concerned with [[BattleRapping who would win in a rap battle]].
12
13	A SubTrope to SeinfeldianConversation (most of time, because in some cases the hypothetical case can involve characters that really exist within the work's universe).
14
15	Compare UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny, which is when it actually happens instead of being conversed. Not to be confused with a CavemenVsAstronautsDebate, which, while there may be overlap, is about a debate/discussion that gets out of hand.
16	----
17	!!Examples:
18	[[foldercontrol]]
19
20	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
21	* ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStoneOcean'': During a flash-back belonging to [[SinisterMinister Pucci]], we see him and [[GreaterScopeVillain DIO]] chatting away about Stands. DIO specifically mentions that "weak" or "strong" aren't useful terms when talking about stands after being asked, to which Pucci clarifies that [[InvokedTrope he wanted to have a debate for fun, like children.]] DIO then recounts the tale of [[Music/SurvivorBand Survivor]], a Stand with a very poor grade in all stats (sans Stamina, which is average) and whose attack consists of a negligible 0.07 volts to the limbic system that travels through wet floors. [[HatePlague Which makes everyone in the vicinity catch a bad case of]] UnstoppableRage.
22	* ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'': A two-parter chapter of the manga revolves around the younger members of Riot Force 6 arguing about who of the [=RF6=] aces would win in a fight.
23	[[/folder]]
24
25	[[folder:Comic Books]]
26	* A ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'' story had two kids arguing over who would win in a fight between the two heroes, eventually deciding that [[spoiler: since neither of them would give up, they'd ''both'' lose, which is why it would never happen]]. It then reveals that Superman was listening, and dragged Batman out to hear it as well, because he thought they were pretty clever.
27	* The Superman vs. Batman debate is presented in ''ComicBook/SupermanUpInTheSky'' to Superman himself, with a young girl asking which one he thinks would win. After first attempting to weasel out of the question by saying [[TakeAThirdOption "The Joker"]], Superman gives his honest answer: Batman.
28	-->'''Alice:''' How would he win?\
29	'''Superman:''' I'd let him.\
30	'''Alice:''' What?! Why?!\
31	'''Superman:''' If you knew Batman, you'd know. It'd mean a lot to him.\
32	'''Alice:''' So?\
33	'''Superman:''' He's gone through a lot. [[SincerityMode He deserves some happiness.]]\
34	'''Alice:''' Don't you deserve happiness?\
35	'''Superman:''' [[HumbleHero Winning fights doesn't make me happy]].\
36	'''Alice:''' What does?\
37	'''Superman:''' My family, my work, my dog, this.\
38	'''Alice:''' This?\
39	'''Superman:''' [[TheCape You, Alice. Talking to you, seeing that you're good, that makes me happy]].\
40	'''Alice:''' More than beating Batman?\
41	'''Superman:''' Yes. A lot more.
42	* During a dinner party in ''ComicBook/GiantDays'', Ingrid keeps asking [[TheFriendNobodyLikes Dean Thompson]] who would win in various superhero matchups, and the others can't tell if she's doing it to tease him or because she's genuinely interested. Later, when Esther has a job interview at a comic shop, she impresses the owner by repeating Dean's answer to a hypothetical fight between the [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]] and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}. Esther gets the job, but laments that she'll have to pay Dean back later.
43	[[/folder]]
44
45	[[folder:Fan Works]]
46	* ''JustForFun/DaringDo'': Page and Header discuss assorted mythological mashups, like who would win in a fight between between Nightmare Moon and Tirek. They're still at it in the ExpandedUniverse, adding Fuergott, Krastos and the Assembler into the mix.
47	* In the ''Series/Numb3rs'' fic [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/35029 Deathmatch]] Colby and David do this during a stakeout, first Franchise/{{Alien}} vs. Franchise/{{Predator}}, David says Alien wins, [[Franchise/{{Whoniverse}} Daleks vs Cylons]], Cylons win, and when Ian Edgerton and Cylon is suggested, Colby says Edgerton since, according to him, when the Boogeyman goes to bed, he checks for Edgerton before sleeping.
48	* From ''Fanfic/SuperheroRPF'' about the members of the Comicbook/YoungAvengers:
49	-->'''Sassgardian [[spoiler:(Loki)]]''': Who do you think would win in a fight? Billy [[spoiler:(Wiccan)]] or David [[spoiler:(Prodigy)]]?
50	* ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'': When Byleth comes across the three house leaders in Chapter 1, Claude and Edelgard are debating whether St. Macuil or St. Cichol respectively.
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
54	* In ''WesternAnimation/Dougs1stMovie'', two cops debate who would win in a fight between Franchise/{{Batman}} and Franchise/{{Superman}}.
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
58	* In ''Film/StandByMe'' the boys discuss whether WesternAnimation/MightyMouse could beat up Franchise/{{Superman}}.
59	-->'''Teddy:''' Mighty Mouse is a cartoon. Superman is a real guy.
60	* ''Film/TheOtherGuys'' has a really quite hilarious scene where the two protagonists debate over a fight between a tuna and a lion.
61	* Related example in ''Film/FightClub'', where the two main characters are discussing which historical figure they'd like to get into a fistfight with and how they think they'd do. The one favors Abraham Lincoln for his reach and wiry strength. The other cites Gandhi.
62	* In ''Film/{{Roadie\|1980}}'' (a comedy featuring Music/MeatLoaf in the starring role), Travis Redfish would often cite these when "Brain locked"; essentially, a NonSequiturThud with a very delayed thud.
63	* In ''Film/{{Manic}}'', what seems to be an intense argument during a group therapy session turns out to be an argument about whether Batman could beat Wolverine in a fight. (The therapist conducting the session asks everyone to please just concede that Wolverine is an animal in combat, and would probably win. But that he couldn't do jack against Superman.)
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Literature]]
67	* Parodied in "Literature/TheGypsiesInTheWood", where Uncle Satt's Faerie stories have an insanely complicated class structure as an essential part of the text, leading to kids have similar arguments about ''orders of precedence''.
68	* ''{{Literature/Animorphs}}'' had Jake and Marco arguing over ComicBook/{{Batman}} vs ComicBook/SpiderMan, the point of contention being whether or not Spider-Man's webbing would slide off Batman's body armor.
69	* ''Literature/XWingSeries'': Happens early on in ''Isard's Revenge'', when Corran, Mirax and Wedge are discussing what Booster Terrik was up to during the Thrawn crisis (in short, avoiding Thrawn so the Empire wouldn't try to steal his Star Destroyer back from him).
70	-->'''Corran Horn''': "Booster versus Thrawn. Now there's a match I'd pay money to see."
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
74	* Apart from the combatants being real-life people, this trope is the entire point of ''Series/DeadliestWarrior''.
75	* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'':
76	** One episode had the characters reworking the battle of Gettysburg with additional units ranging from real-world military units to Hindu gods. The humor value of the discussion was ruined somewhat by a lack of research that had Sheldon accepting Leonard's spurious argument that Middle-earth's Orcs "are magic" and so would defeat Superman, who is vulnerable to magic.
77	** There's a scene where the guys discuss [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycY6PpS7vfA the bravest person in the Marvel Universe.]]
78	** The guys start to debate whether the White Witch or Billy the Kid would win a fight in a card game, and are persuaded to buy the cards to find out, telling themselves off for doing so.
79	** In "Parking Spot Escalation", the men can't seem to agree over which one comes out dominant: mummies, zombies or vampires. Sheldon however is looked upon as that he knows the answer.
80	* ''Series/MyNameIsEarl''. Episode "Robbed a Stoner Blind": In the closing discussion, Randy and Earl philosophize who would win in a fight:
81	-->'''Randy:''' Hey, Earl.\
82	'''Earl:''' Yeah, Randy.\
83	'''Randy''': Who do you think would win in a fight -- [[Series/TheMuppetShow Muppets]] or Series/SesameStreet?[[note]]''Sesame Street'' is considered to be under the Muppets umbrella. It can be assumed that when Earl says "Muppets", he means the cast of Series/TheMuppetShow specifically.[[/note]]\
84	'''Earl''': I don't really think they'd fight; they're both pretty peaceful.\
85	'''Randy:''' What if they had to, like in that [[Film/{{Highlander}} head-chopping-off movie where there could be only one]]?\
86	'''Earl:''' Muppets.\
87	'''Randy:''' Okay. Muppets or [[Series/FraggleRock Fraggles]]?[[note]]''Fraggle Rock'' is also considered to be under the Muppets umbrella.[[/note]]\
88	'''Earl:''' Muppets.\
89	'''Randy:''' Okay. What about Muppets or [[Franchise/MastersOfTheUniverse He-Man]]?\
90	'''Earl:''' Just He-Man, or He-Man and his friends?\
91	'''Randy:''' Just He-Man.\
92	'''Earl:''' Muppets.\
93	'''Randy:''' That's who I had.
94	* In the ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' recurring sketch "The Superfans", the guys sit around discussing who would win things, with the answer always being "Da Bears!" (Or if it's basketball, "Da Bulls!") Or complete non-sequiturs like Mike Ditka vs. a hurricane.
95	* Happens a few times on ''Series/CornerGas''. Davis debates with a few people about who would win if ''Franchise/StarWars'' fought ''Franchise/StarTrek''. Also, Hank apparently has these types of debates with himself inside his head, such as who would win if a werewolf fought Wanda.
96	* One episode in the second season of ''Series/GameOfThrones'' has two redshirts having a humorous debate regarding who is the best knight in the realm, and their discussion is a FandomNod to debates that fans of ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' have had.
97	* This is a RunningGag on ''Series/TheFinder''. The hangout for the main characters has a chalkboard specifically for hypothetical debates. See the page image for one example.
98	* There is a small running gag on ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' about the rest of the team talking about who would win in a fight-resident MemeticBadass Jethro Gibbs and such crazy proposals as Film/TheTerminator and Franchise/{{Batman}}... and MemeticBadass that he is, the rest of the team puts the odds on Gibbs.
99	* ''Series/{{Angel}}'' is the TropeNamer for CavemenVsAstronautsDebate. The astronauts don't get weapons, but the cavemen have fire. It winds up turning into a metaphor for the episode's events; [[spoiler:cavemen]] win, which is a TearJerker [[ItMakesSenseInContext in context]].
100	* One episode of ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'' has the duo arguing who would win in a fight between Creator/LindsayLohan and Music/HilaryDuff. Helen sides with Drake about it being Lohan, saying that Duff can't take a punch.
101	* ''Series/Warehouse13'' had two nerdy characters discussing what sounded like a complex topic but was actually about whether Vulcans or Klingons were stronger. One one of them was able to calculate that Vulcans were [[LudicrousPrecision 47% stronger.]]
102	* In ''[[Series/TheFlash2014 Flash]] vs. Series/{{Arrow}}'', Barry/The Flash is infected with a HatePlague so Oliver/Arrow is called in to handle the situation. During the fight, Cisco and Caitlin insist that Barry would win since he has superpowers, while Diggle maintains that Oliver's experience and superior tactical abilities would win out. The fight basically ends in a [[EvasiveFightThreadEpisode tie.]]
103	* The ''Series/NinjaTurtlesTheNextMutation'' episode "Mutant Reflections" has Raphael and Michelangelo debate on whether Superman or Batman would win in a fight. Raphael thinks Batman would win, while Michelangelo believes Superman has the advantage.
104	* An episode of ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'' has Will and Lisa debating who would win a fight between ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' and ''Franchise/{{Rambo}}''. They conclude that it depends on whether the fight takes place in the [[HomeFieldAdvantage boxing ring or the jungle]].
105	* A Halloween episode of ''Series/{{Friends}}'' has Monica dressed as ''ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}'' and Phoebe dressed as ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' arguing which of their characters would win in a fight. Like most Superman/Batman debates, they ignore the fact that Catwoman has no superpowers and that Supergirl's strong enough to move planets.
106	* ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'': Season 3's finale has Harvey and Salem talking about movies, and doing this at one point.
107	-->'''Harvey''': "Of course Robocop can beat the Terminator."
108	* In ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', Jerry and George debate who would win in a fight between the two of ''them.'' Elaine is asked for an opinion and submits that it would be George: "George fights dirty."
109	-->'''Jerry:''' Really, what would you do?
110	-->'''George:''' Pull hair, poke eyes, [[GroinAttack groin stuff]], [[CombatPragmatist whatever I gotta do]].
111	[[/folder]]
112
113	[[folder:Music]]
114	* The song "Hot Girl in the Comic Shop" by Music/{{Tripod}} devolves into an debate about who would win a fight between Spider-Man and the Hulk.
115	* "Stop Talking About Comic Books or I'll Kill You" by Ookla the Mok:
116	--> ''I don't care if [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk The Hulk]] could defeat [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} the Man of Steel]]''\
117	''I'm gonna rearrange your face if you continue to debate''\
118	''Whether [[ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} Logan]]'s claws could pierce [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve Rogers']] shield''
119	[[/folder]]
120
121	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
122	* ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' #200 had a debate on who was TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons' greatest wizard: [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Elminster]] (argued for by Creator/EdGreenwood) or [[Literature/{{Dragonlance}} Raistlin]] (argued for by Creator/TracyHickman). At the end of the article, it's revealed that [[LetsYouAndHimFight the battle was being set up by]] [[TakeAThirdOption Mordenkainen]].
123	[[/folder]]
124
125	[[folder:Video Games]]
126	* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
127	** As part of the idle banter between your squadmates in the first game, [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Wrex]] is fond of asking them who they think would win if they took on Commander Shepard in a fight. Kaidan will reply Shepard is his commanding officer, and can't imagine ever having to fight him/her. Wrex replies not only is that why Shepard is command, its why she/he would win. One of them eventually asks Wrex if krogan size up everyone (including allies) in a "who would win in a fight" way, and Wrex replies with a BluntYes (and his tone as unstated "You ''don't''?" in it).
128	** In the ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' DLC "Citadel", your squadmates argue over who of their two [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Krogan]] members would win in a fight: Wrex, a thousand-year-old battlemaster, or Grunt, a genetically engineered perfect warrior. In the same [=DLC=], the aforementioned banter with Wrex becomes a BrickJoke if you take Wrex and Ashley / Kaidan to fight [[spoiler: Shepard's clone.]] Kaidan also asks if Shepard agrees that he'd win if he fought [[TheBigGuy Vega]]. Shepard just smirks, prompting Kaidan to ask "What if I fought dirty?"
129	* ''VideoGame/BrothersInArms'': Allen, Garnett and Leggett have a Superman vs. Batman argument.
130	* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'' fans asked about a fight between [[BigBad Kane]] and [[ActionGirl Tanya]]. Kane's actor answered:
131	-->'''Joe Kucan:''' We'd both win. [[SmokingHotSex We'd end up smoking a cigarette in the morning.]]
132	* ''VideoGame/ShinSuperRobotWars'': While [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Domon Kasshu]] is busy chasing Master Asia and the Devil Gundam in Scenario 33 of the Earth Route, the rest of the group lightly place bets on whether the God Gundam could kick the R-1's butt.
133	* Happens all the damn time in ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelSuperHeroes'' with NPC chatter. One of the best ones has to be when he asks "Who would win in a fight between [[CurbStompBattle Iceman and the Human Torch?]] [[LampshadeHanging Oh, wait...]]"
134	** Also in ''VideoGame/LegoMarvelsAvengers'':
135	-->''Who'd win in a fight between a Quinjet and a Chitauri Chariot? Wait, [[Film/TheAvengers2012 whaddya mean I missed that]]?!''
136	* ''VideoGame/MinecraftStoryMode'' has Olivia asking whether Jesse would want to fight either 10 zombie-sized chickens or 100 chicken-sized zombies. She will also present this to Lukas but he only answers if [[spoiler:Jesse prevented him from leaving the shelter]] in Episode 1.
137	* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', if you have Raz pester Coach Oleander continuously near the start of the game, he eventually asks:
138	-->'''Raz:''' Hey, coach, in a life or death battle between Sasha Nein and a great white shark; the shark could see into the future and Sasha Nein was blindfolded, who would win?
139	* ''VideoGame/WatchDogs2'': During one of the story missions, Marcus has a conversation with Wrench on who would win in a fight: [[Film/{{Alien}} Aliens]] or the Film/{{Predator}}.
140	[[/folder]]
141
142	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
143	* In the second case of ''VisualNovel/TheGreatAceAttorney 2: Resolve'', the famous Japanese novelist Natsume Souseki argues with his neighbor William Shamspeare over "who is stronger, [[Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet Romeo or Juliet]]?" They even tussle in costume to decide the point, with Natsume [[WholesomeCrossdresser as Juliet]] winning because of his "jujitsu".
144	* In ''VisualNovel/{{Misericorde}}'', Sister Hedwig's first luncheon with the other nuns devolves into a hypothetical discussion of how many ducks it would take to overwhelm Sister Eustace in a fight, with Eustace claiming that she could hold her own against an infinite number of ducks indefinitely.
145	[[/folder]]
146
147	[[folder:Webcomics]]
148	* ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' has several examples:
149	** The FourthWallMailSlot ''Twinkin' Out With Red Mage'' ran several columns dedicated to Red Mage answering "who would win" fights suggested by readers, starting Twinkin' Out 7: Superfight Spectacular. Reader suggestions ran the gambit anywhere from comic book heroes and villains to real life celebrities and historical figures, including Lincoln versus John Wilkes Booth and Gandhi versus Martin Luther King Jr. The feature concluded its 2004 run with a Superfight elimination tournament that pitted Wolverine against Link (the latter of which had just defeated a three-man team of Pyro, Superman, and God to reach the finals) in the final match which remains unconcluded five years later.
150	** And don't forget the Flash animations featuring matchups between the webcomic's characters (removed from the official website, but still available [[http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/search/author/Meddros here]]).
151	** Also, once the comic spent [[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2003/10/16/episode-342-hypothetically-speaking/ two]] [[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2003/10/18/episode-343-check-mate/ installments]] with Red Mage and Black Mage discussing on who'd win, Franchise/{{Batman}} or ComicBook/DoctorDoom. Black Mage won the argument by pointing out that VillainsActHeroesReact, therefore Batman would only be fighting under conditions Doom chose; and that "Doom's machinations are such that even if Batman wins, [[XanatosGambit his victory will somehow further Doom's schemes]]".
152	** [[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2005/08/27/episode-591-hypothetically-speaking-again/ Another strip]] had the two discussing ComicBook/{{Bullseye\|MarvelComics}} vs. ComicBook/GreenArrow. Black Mage argues that even if he got off the first shot, {{Trick Arrow}}s or no, Arrow would lose because [[ThouShaltNotKill he wouldn't kill Bullseye]] while Bullseye's return fire will ''certainly'' be lethal. Red Mage counters that Green Arrow [[ImprobableAimingSkills would shoot down anything coming at him]], even [[{{Multishot}} while firing multiple arrows at once]]. Black Mage says this is absurd, but the conversation suddenly stops when he's [[TwangHello hit with multiple precision arrows fired at once]].
153	* In ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'', Tycho and Gabe [[https://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2019/12/09/apologetics are shown at each others' throats]] over a ''Franchise/{{Batman}}''/''Franchise/HarryPotter'' game of ''Toys/{{Funko\|Pop}}verse''. Gabe thinks Tycho's claim that the World's Greatest Detective wouldn't be able to find Hogwarts is absurd, while Tycho shoots back that Hermione could just end Batman with a Killing Curse.
154	[[/folder]]
155
156	[[folder:Web Original]]
157	* ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'': In the ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'' [[{{Main/Crossover}} crossover]] episode [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MNdeW9Xsi4 "Meta Vs. Carolina"]], this is initially played straight in a conversation between Grif and Simmons. Caboose overhears and enlists Wiz and Boomstick to simulate the answer, turning it into ''Main/UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny''.
158	* ''WebVideo/FrenchBaguetteIntelligence'': The entire premise of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANs27IVior0 "Mister Incredible vs Darth Vader Debate"]] is about who would win in a fight between [[Franchise/TheIncredibles Mr. Incredible]] and [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]].
159	* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'':
160	** In the early cartoon "The Interview", Strong Bad asks Homestar who'd win in a fight between The Cheat and Strong Sad. Homestar says that even if The Cheat had both hands duct taped behind his back, and duct tape over his eyes, and Strong Sad had a spear, he would put his money on The Cheat.
161	** In "Date Nite", Marzipan and The Cheat go out on a date, and while making small talk they learn they've both always wanted to see a wrestling match between public radio personalities Ira Glass and Ira Flatlow.
162	* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick and her friend [[BigFun Nella]] spent a whole episode debating Picard and Kirk, respectively.
163	* On the promotional circuit for ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', Creator/JeffGoldblum (who plays the Grandmaster) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qulCBs6-_pE was asked to decide]] which of his previous characters would win if they were pitted against each other:
164	** [[Film/{{Silverado}} Calvin "Slick" Stanhope]] or [[Film/TheLifeAquatic Alistair Hennessey]]: [[spoiler: Slick, as the more cunning down to the knife in his boot]]
165	** [[Film/TheFly1986 Seth Brundle]] or [[Film/EarthGirlsAreEasy Mac]]: [[spoiler: Seth, not only because he has higher intellect and a pair of telepods to get the drop on someone with, but also because Mac is "a lover, not a fighter"]]
166	** [[Film/DeathWish Freak #1]] or [[Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossTheEighthDimension Sidney "New Jersey" Zweibel]]: [[spoiler: New Jersey, the smarter and purer-hearted of the two]]
167	** [[Film/JurassicPark Dr. Ian Malcolm]] or [[Film/CatsAndDogs Professor Charles Brody]]: [[spoiler: A draw as both characters are fearless (Malcolm confronts dinosaurs, Brody is willing to sniff a dog's butt)]]
168	** Final round between the winning characters: [[spoiler: Dr. Ian Malcolm, as the character about to appear on the big screen again in ''Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'']]
169	* In ''Literature/TheyAreSmol,'' a huge cultural passtime among the theocratic Karnakians is "Diarch Battles," literally arguing which of their popes would win in a fight. It's, strictly speaking, heretical, but considering that everyone up to and including the current Diarchs (the aforesaid popes) does it, it's not illegal.
170	[[/folder]]
171
172	[[folder:Other Sites]]
173	* This was a staple question in the "Comics & Animation" section on the now-defunct Platform/{{Yahoo}} Answers.
174	* Website/ScrewAttack has ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'', a web series involving one-on-one matchups against characters all over the realm of fiction.
175	* ''Website/StarDestroyerDotNet'': Who would win in a fight between the Enterprise and a Star Destroyer? That would be the Stardestroyer of course.
176	* [[http://www.grudgematch.com WWWF Grudge Match,]] a now-defunct site about pop-culture icons fighting for supremacy, and sister site [[http://www.electricferret.com/battle Comic Book Universe Battles.]]
177	* The Website/{{Reddit}} forum [[http://www.reddit.com/r/whowouldwin/ /r/whowouldwin]] is dedicated to these discussions.
178	* ''Website/SpaceBattlesDotCom'' is said to have started as a website dedicated to ''Franchise/StarWars'' vs ''Franchise/StarTrek'' debates. Nowadays it hosts a subforum called [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/forums/vs-debates.4/ Vs. Debates]] which is entirely dedicated to hypothetical fights.
179	* The [[https://community.cbr.com/forumdisplay.php?20-Comic-Book-Rumbles "Comic Book Rumbles" forum]] on Comic Book Resources is another active community.
180	* The [[https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/battles-7 "Battles" forum]] on Comic Vine.
181	[[/folder]]
182
183	[[folder:Western Animation]]
184	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
185	** In one episode Bart asks Milo, the owner of a new comic book shop in town, who would win: [[ComicBook/FantasticFour The Thang]] or [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk the Mulk]]. Milo asks Bart what ''he'' thinks. Bart is impressed that a comic shop owner would encourage discussion rather than pontificating.
186	** In another episode, a group of nerds are [[TechnologyMarchesOn tying up the phone line]] because some guy thinks [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Captain Picard]] is better than [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries Captain Kirk]] and naturally [[SeriousBusiness this just won't stand]].
187	** In "Marge vs. the Monorail" when Lyle Langley [[StupidQuestionBait asks Lisa's class if they have any questions]], one kid asks him if Superman could outrun the Flash. When Langley specifies he wants questions related to the monorail, another kid asks him if the monorail could outrun the Flash.
188	* In ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', [[ComicBook/BlueBeetle Jaime]] and Paco discuss who would win in a fight between Superman and Batman, if Batman didn't have Kryptonite.
189	-->'''Jaime''': Trick question! Batman ''[[CrazyPrepared always]]'' has kryptonite!
190	* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy''.
191	-->'''Peter:''' Lois, Series/ParkerLewisCantLose. Don't even ''try'' and make him lose 'cause it's just going to be that much more embarrassing for you when you realize that he can't lose.\
192	'''Chris:''' Would he win in a fight with Batman?\
193	'''Peter:''' Well, Chris, think about what you're saying; Parker Lewis ''can't lose''. Heretofore, Batman can suck on that.
194	* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': In "The Real You", 'Theoretical fightonomics' is a class taught in a worm college Finn and Jake visit. The lecturer seems to be a bit biased in favor of the Werewolf Queen.
195	* Invoked and double subverted in ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'' episode "Replaced". Mordecai and Rigby try to prevent their replacements from finishing their work by having them debate who would win in a fight between a two-headed dinosaur and a robotic Bigfoot. They both agreed that a robotic Bigfoot would win. Then Mordecai gets into a debate with them on why a two-headed dinosaur would win. It still didn't stop them from working.
196	* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'': Henchmen 21 and 24 often had these arguments, on one occasion debating who would win in a fistfight between Lizzie Borden and Anne Frank. After 24's death, [[TheDragon 21]] bitterly shuts down a debate between two lower-ranked henchmen over [[StockNessMonster who would win between Champ and Nessie]] by denying their existences but [[ArbitrarySkepticism insisting that Ogopogo is real]].
197	* In the ''{{WesternAnimation/Freakazoid}}'' episode "Freak-a-Panel" among the non-Freakazoid-related questions Freakazoid is asked at a Q&A panel is "If Superman fought Fred Flintstone, who would win?"
198	-->'''Freakazoid:''' I would guess Superman. Unless Barney Rubble snuck up and hit him with a kryptonite club or something.
199	* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'':
200	** In "The Origins", Gumball asks Darwin who would win in a fight between a shark and a thousand piranhas.
201	** "The Roots" opens with Gumball and Darwin debating who would win if a crocodile fought a bear.
202	[[/folder]]
203
204	[[folder:Real Life]]
205	* Author Thomas Harris said two guys were arguing on his website over who would win, Hannibal Lecter or Mighty Mouse, and one guy said Lecter because Mighty Mouse wasn't real.
206	* Early Christian missionaries in Scandinavia claimed that one stumbling block in converting the Norse to Christianity was that they kept asking if UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} could beat [[Myth/NorseMythology Thor]] in a fight.
207	* An early selling point of the UsefulNotes/UltimateFightingChampionship was that it was a test of which martial art was the most effective in one-on-one combat with minimal rules. This eventually led to the creation of UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts.
208	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_versus_lion The "lion versus tiger" question]].
209	[[/folder]]
210

Context Main / HypotheticalFightDebate