I think you're missing a big point. not sure if you were old enough to remember the times in '91-'92, but when gnr came along in the late-80's, their attitude killed hair metal & the hairspray scene, (Poison, etc.)
when guns became a mockery of themselves (limos, leer jets, toga parties, & ridiculous tour demands), the balance shifted, and they soon were KILLED OFF, by the nirvana scene, which was just as hungry as the GNR/Appetite era. It went full-circle.
SO, one can say that Nirvana's uprise was inevitable, and there was no way Guns could have avoided their own downfall. The band had began falling apart while recording UYI. It wasn't about Nirvana either, it was the angst of the generation. Nirvana were merely the perfect fit for the job.
As for Nirvana, here's an interesting theory of mine, that many will agree to. Had Cobain not killed himself, it's likely Nirvana would have also mellowed out, and eventually sold out JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. Look no further than Dave Grohl.
(I'm NOT taking a stab at Grohl, I respect him immensely as an artist, but we're speaking facts here).
