What to make of 23rd TB Chi Chi? Did the method of loss not reflect her true power?

[Warmmedown]

From my memory, she seemed to make Goku struggle more than expected for someone who gets knocked out of the ring with a no-touch attack. He put some effort into dodging. I think he even had to use his arms to block?
Did she just get caught by surprise when knocked out of the ring? Would she fare better in a match without ring-outs?

 

[SSJ2]

I'm pretty sure Piccolo said he used a technique that demon kind use. He held back obviously but it was still a high level attack.

 

[Animelover5487]

Goku was trying to figure out who she was so obviously he's not going to beat her into submission. Unrelatively speaking she would have to be very strong for her to get up from a demon wave punch at all.

I can see an argument for her being stronger than Cyborg Tao, even though the latter is given more hype.

 

[Hector]

From my memory, she seemed to make Goku struggle more than expected for someone who gets knocked out of the ring with a no-touch attack. He put some effort into dodging. I think he even had to use his arms to block?
Did she just get caught by surprise when knocked out of the ring? Would she fare better in a match without ring-outs?

I'm not against considering the whole scene a gag and putting Chichi even below Chappa level.

 

[Warmmedown]

Goku was trying to figure out who she was so obviously he's not going to beat her into submission. Unrelatively speaking she would have to be very strong for her to get up from a demon wave punch at all.

I can see an argument for her being stronger than Cyborg Tao, even though the latter is given more hype.

What's the argument for her being stronger than Cyborg Tao?

I'm not against considering the whole scene a gag and putting Chichi even below Chappa level.

She qualified for the finals. I suppose for a gag they need her on the main stage so Bulma, Oolong et al can react to the fight, since they're not allowed backstage. But it's hard to cool it a gag if Roshi or any other Z fighter commented on her being strong.

 

[Animelover5487]

What's the argument for her being stronger than Cyborg Tao?

Chi-Chi gets up from Goku's technique, while Tenshinhan knocks Tao out cold with a regular punch.

 

[DBZAOTA482]

Chi-Chi gets up from Goku's technique, while Tenshinhan knocks Tao out cold with a regular punch.

Tbf, Tien was 100% serious against Tao while Goku was obviously holding back against Chi-Chi.

Either way, Chi-Chi deserves at least to placed higher than Chapa-o. Being able to push back and matching Weighted Goku's casual jumping height even if not seriously is better than Goku straight up clowning Chapa-o with barely any effort.

Even the shockwave fist technique Goku used on Chi-Chi was said to have tremendous force behind it (meaning any fighter weaker than Krillin or Yamcha would lose just as easily), which we could visibly see. Even Muten Roshi had some trouble comprehending the move. While Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha all barely reacted to the slight neckchop Goku used to defeat Chapa-o.