Yes, Hela can beat Thor, and arguably did in their initial confrontation.
Here's a breakdown:
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Hela's Power Advantage: As Odin's firstborn, Hela possessed immense power, potentially exceeding Thor's in raw strength and skill. The reference highlights her inherent advantage as the firstborn.
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Experience and Battle Prowess: Hela had millennia of battle experience, far surpassing Thor's. This experience gave her a significant tactical edge.
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The Power Source of Asgard: Hela drew power from Asgard itself. This made her significantly stronger on Asgard, as demonstrated in Thor: Ragnarok. When Thor fought her on Asgard, she was virtually unstoppable.
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Destruction of Mjolnir: Hela easily shattered Mjolnir, Thor's enchanted hammer, a feat that demonstrated her superior strength and power compared to Thor at that time.
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Thor's Evolution: It is important to note that Thor became significantly more powerful throughout the MCU. The Thor who fought Hela in Thor: Ragnarok is not the same Thor who wielded Stormbreaker and battled Thanos. Whether a later version of Thor could defeat Hela is a more complex question. However, in their initial encounter, Hela held a clear advantage.
In conclusion, Hela's superior strength, vast experience, and connection to Asgard made her a formidable opponent for Thor, leading to her victory in their first major confrontation.
