Ironically, Gladiator's best showings against Thor are non canon because they involve future or alternate reality versions of the character : Future Gladiator in the "Black Celestial Arc" FF storyline goes toe to toe with Thor despite being exhausted and despite Thor and crew moving at hyper light speeds due to Reed's equipment, an alternate reality Gladiator is summoned by Zarko to take on Thor because Zarko thinks he'll go insane and take over the planet. Gladiator owns Thor and Thor Girl had to jump in to help.
Mainly Thor girl being frozen from before the fight with Thor starts, Thor holding back and the 60 second rule somehow showing up despite not being in effect anymore.
Gladiator took Thor out with one punch that koed Thor and sent his limp body flying across the sky for 60 seconds. Gladiator toyed with Wonderman who HAS nearly one shot Thor and had Thor beat until Thor had to use his hammer. Gladiator was shown to be able to beat/kill Thor but the story plot prevented it. Even though it took two distractions for Thor to recover and win via his hammer. Without his hammer, he stands no chance as proven by his 60 second nap.
Its Funny to me that even that future Gladiator admitted that Thor was more powerful than him. Gladiator doesn't hold back as where Thor does, Thor holds back more of his godly power, his feats alone shit stomps Gladiator with or without hammer Thor wins everytime
Gladiator never said that Thor was more powerful than him. Gladiator was the one who told Thor he was stronger and more powerful than Thor.Thor got koed by gladiators fist. On a side note.. can people no comprehend or they lack understanding? The MORE confident gladiator is, the more powerful he BECOMES. Really simple to understand.
Yep. Thor needed his hammer to defeat gladiator. He never overpowered gladiator nor hit gladiator with his fists. What did Thor hold back? Gladiator only lost because of thors hammer.
So Thor held back his durability? Gladiator could not defeat Thor while Thor had the use of a weapon. When the weapon was taken out of play and it was strength for strength, man to man, fist against fist, gladiator knocked Thor out with one casual uppercut. Holding back from using a weapon is not the same as holding back strength. It took Thor multiple hits and a energy blast with his HAMMER to stop gladiator. Gladiator took Thor out with one uppercut and it wasn't anywhere near his best punch.
Future Gladiator's goal was to kill.
Thor was minding the safety of a civilian when he got caught with the punch.
I'll give you round 1 even with context.
Round 2 starts.
Glad's gets one hell of a head start as Olson just finished transforming into Thor. Blitzes Thor deep underground, but none the worse for wear.
He stops holding back.
Rest is history.
Btw hammer is standard powerset for him. Any argument with or without it is moot.