100 average guys facing off against a single silverback gorilla in an epic showdown. Who wins?
This bizarre question has taken the internet by storm, sparking heated debates, hilarious memes, and even a tongue-in-cheek challenge from YouTube star Mr. Beast. But where did this wild idea come from, and why has it captured the online world’s attention? Let’s dive into the story behind the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” trend, explore who started it, and uncover why it’s gone viral.
Can 100 Men Beat a Gorilla?
At the heart of the debate is a simple question: could 100 unarmed men defeat a silverback gorilla in a fight? On one side, some argue the men have a shot. With sheer numbers, coordination, and maybe a clever strategy, they could overwhelm the gorilla. Imagine them spreading out, distracting the beast, or even luring it into a trap. But the gorilla’s side has stronger evidence. A silverback can lift nearly 1,800 pounds, boasts a bite force of 1,300 psi, and moves with terrifying speed. By comparison, an athletic human might lift 880 pounds and bite with just 162 psi.
Online simulations often show the gorilla tossing men aside like ragdolls, suggesting it could dominate. While teamwork might give the men a slim chance, the gorilla’s raw power makes it the likely victor.
The Story Behind ‘100 Men vs 1 Gorilla’
This question isn’t new, but it’s having a major moment. The debate seems to have kicked off around 2020 on Reddit, where users in forums like r/whowouldwin love pitting unlikely opponents against each other. It popped up again on TikTok in February 2022, when a user posted a video asking,
“Who wins? 100 grown men or 1 gorilla?”
That clip racked up over 115,700 likes, planting the seed for wider attention.
Fast forward to April 2025, and the idea exploded on X, thanks to a viral post on April 25 that drew over 200 million views. The post’s bold claim that 100 dedicated men could take down a gorilla sparked a flood of reactions, from serious arguments to side-splitting memes about the men suiting up for their own funerals.
Who Started the Trend?
Pinpointing the exact origin is tricky, but the 2020 Reddit discussions laid the groundwork. The 2022 TikTok post gave it a bigger stage, but the real catalyst was the April 25, 2025, X post by a user named @DreamChasnMike. Their provocative statement lit the fuse, sending the debate into overdrive.
Influencers soon jumped in, amplifying the buzz. Mr. Beast, the YouTube sensation known for outrageous stunts, posted on X on April 28, jokingly asking for “100 men” to test the theory, complete with a photoshopped image. Even Elon Musk chimed in with a cheeky reply, while animal rights groups like PETA criticized the idea, prompting Mr. Beast to backtrack on an earlier post. These high-profile voices turned a niche debate into a global phenomenon.
Why It Went Viral?
So, why has this question gripped the internet? It’s the perfect storm of absurdity and curiosity. People love hypothetical battles, especially ones that pit human ingenuity against raw animal strength. The debate’s open-ended nature invites everyone to weigh in, from armchair strategists to meme creators. Social media fueled the fire, with AI-generated videos showing gorillas thrashing men and X posts joking about the last man standing.
The involvement of big names like Mr. Beast and Musk added rocket fuel, while the controversy over ethics kept it in the spotlight. It’s also part of a broader trend of viral hypotheticals, like “man vs. bear,” that tap into our fascination with survival and power. In short, it’s ridiculous, shareable, and impossible to ignore.
