I don't think it's crazy to say Smoke is better than Cyrax when you think about it.
a) Smoke handles runaway and zoning better than Cyrax.
This is obvious. Shake and teleport punch for projectiles and smoke bomb is a huge threat once Smoke starts closing the gap forcing people to block.
b) Smoke's AA is better than Cyrax.
Cyrax's air grab is super consistent, but the damage is very low. I don't even care half the time. His standing 1 and 2 AA are very iffy AA's and often don't lead to resets. Smoke's standing 2, b2 and d1 for crossups are godlike and can always lead to a reset for insane and stupid damage. I'd rather have Smoke's AA than Cyrax's.
c) Smoke's footsies are better than Cyrax's.
People will argue Cyrax's d4 wins this argument but I beg to differ. Cyrax's d4 only has a disgusting guessing game when it hits you standing. When it hits you crouching, he's actually at disadvantage. As long as you keep a low profile in footsie range you takeaway his best footsie tool. Hell I used to crouch and get hit on purpose by @
GGA HAN's Cyrax just to bait him and get advantage. This is not something you can do against Smoke. When you get in footsie range with Smoke, you are automatically stuck in his best guessing game. There's no setting up his best guessing game. Just being in his presence put you there.
d) Smoke does better meterless damage than Cyrax.
This is obvious as well.
e) Smoke has better momentum than Cyrax.
Cyrax hits hard, but at least when it's over...it's over. Smoke can do resets to you, then teleport for more guessing even after you've lost 70%. Shit is stupid. I'm getting mad posting about all this stupid shit.
f) Smoke's runaway is better.
Again, obvious. Smoke away all day.
I'll give Cyrax has a couple things Smoke doesn't, like more unbreakable damage, bombs and silly breaker traps. Wake-up attacks I'd say it's even. But I think when you look at all this garbage Smoke has you can't say Cyrax is without a doubt better.