I've ALWAYS said that Yates was denser and drier; on the other hand while these were not Coleman's strengths he wasn't "water logged" at his best either, that's flat out inaccurate.
Yaters was NEVER CLOSE to being the complete package-all his evident strengths in density & dryness didn't compensate for equally obvious, huge FLAWS elsewhere-ignore them all you want they're still there. Density & dryness aren't nearly as impressive on a flawed physique.
Yates simply couldn't match up in terms of size, cuts, vascularity, refinement, shape, aesthetics, taper, balance and definition in certain areas like the front of the arms, chest and delts. That's a huge list of striking inadequacies, all glaringly on display here:
obvisoulsy, his mass, dryness, hardness, and density was enough to compensate his "flaws" (according to you). the judges liked it. he was the most dominant mr. olympia ever. based on the score sheets and competition. half of coleman's wins were by less than four points, 2 to flex and 3 to cutler and 2 to levrone. yates got perfect scores in 5 of his 6 Olympia's and no one really close. check the score sheets.
meanwhile, coleman looses to gustavo 2 years in a row during the challenge round and it comes down to one pose between him and cutler in 04 and looses 2 rounds in 01.
one of the challenge rounds in 05 was decided by former mr. olympias. but you and hulkster are the true authority.
his chest was always cross striated.

hulkster, this is seperation BETWEEN muscle groups.

a clear distinction between every muscle group of the upper body.
couldnt match up in terms of size, cuts, vascularity, refinement, shape, aesthetics, taper, balance and definition in certain areas like the front of the arms, chest and delts.?
you know you are right. dorian wasnt very vascular (neither was flex or jay), his taper was ok - better than some of the other big guys, his balance was ok. his arms could have been bigger, etc, etc.
defintion in his arms, delts, and chest. that was ok as well. wasnt the best and not as good as colemans. but its not as bad as you claim.
but you know what, dorian's mass, hardness, and dryness was enough to compensate for the lack of whatever flaws you say he has. he beat some of the biggest guys ever (nasser, paul, fux) and some of the most complete ever like shawn and flex, and kevin as well. apparently, the judges though he had the best overall package. dorian's track record speaks for it self. if you have a problem with that, than take that up with the judges.