To be fair, Russell was sitting in the VIP seats. From an objective bystander's perspective, Thanos in this world was no match for Carol.
Without the Infinity Stones and gloves, Thanos would get beaten so badly even Thanos's mother wouldn't recognize him.
So when Thanos asked that question, he must have chickened out!
Moreover, Russell had reason to suspect that, in his base state, Thanos couldn't even beat Strange or Wanda.
What a pathetic cosmic overlord. He'd been nerfed way too hard!
Also, how had such a weak Thanos managed to become the head of the family planning office back then?
"What are you thinking about?"
Seeing Russell lost in thought, Tony's heart skipped a beat. He had a feeling Russell was about to pull something again.
Russell answered honestly, "I'm thinking Thanos doesn't seem to have much of a chance. Should we find him a few Stones to make this show more exciting?"
"..."
Tony: Please, just be human for once!
On the bright side, at least he hadn't guessed wrong. Russell really was about to cause trouble.
On the other side, Thanos was trading blows with the Avengers. The chaotic brawl was like a demolition site—if they came across a wall, they tore down the wall, and everyone seemed determined to pick a fight with the ceiling.
After knocking down T'Challa, Parker, and Rhodey in succession, Thanos kicked away Valkyrie, who had come over to provide comic relief, completing the achievement of beating up little kids.
Valkyrie played her part well too. She flew backward and, upon landing, felt like she had smashed into something that was poking her butt.
Getting up to look, she found Wanda beneath her, face pale and green, knocked unconscious by the impact.
Once she grew up, she definitely wouldn't be so pokey!