Random Theories About Why Vegeta Never Surpasses Goku In The 'Dragon Ball' Series (7 items)

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  (#7) Does Goku Produces More Ki Energy Than Vegeta?

  It is kind of a low blow to suggest that the reason why Vegeta fails to measure up to Goku is because he's smaller than Goku, especially since he is vastly more powerful than the much larger Nappa and various other large enemies. But then, none of them were Goku. And if Vegeta and Goku's natural Ki levels were close enough, it is not inconceivable that a larger body size could make a great deal of difference in creating a significant gap between the two.

  During the series, Goku has continuously bulked up while Vegeta has stayed relatively the same size (perhaps he's slightly more muscular, but not much). This is most obvious after Goku's first resurrection and his appearance on Namek - it seemed as if Goku's size had increased dramatically. And, as we know, the source of the Saiyans' power is their ability to use and manipulate Ki energy. We also know that power increases substantially during their much larger "Great Ape" transformation. It stands to reason that a larger body produces more Ki. But is the degree to which Goku is larger than Vegeta really enough to tip the scales of Ki in Goku's favor, leaving Vegeta to come up short?
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  (#6) Is Goku An Energy Vampire?

  Goku has, on more than one occasion, used his Spirit Bomb technique in which he absorbs the energy and strength of other living beings and converts that into power that he can use for himself. It is often considered to be the most powerful technique ever used in the Dragon Ball series, and only Goku is capable of using it (unless you count Cell, Krillin, and later Trunks, who each use the ability under special circumstances). Fans make the assumption that when Goku collects life-energy, it's just a temporary effect that dissipates after he has used the technique. But does it?

  At one point, Goku is able to channel the power of the Spirit Bomb directly into his own body, increasing his own power. He basically absorbs other people's Ki-energies to make himself stronger. So what effect does this absorption of Ki have on Goku's physiology that Vegeta could be lacking? Could it be that Goku is continuously absorbing Ki energy from his surroundings, slowly and subtly building up his power over time and increasing his overall ability to use and manipulate Ki? He certainly has the power to do so. And would anyone notice if he did?
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  (#2) Saiyans Get Stronger After Taking A Good Beating

  Vegeta has taken quite a few beatings during his battles, but no one takes a beating better than Goku, which is why healing is an ongoing theme in the Dragon Ball series. Every time a Saiyan is healed, their power increases dramatically. The Saiyans' power also increases after being killed and then resurrected from the dead via the use of the Dragon Balls. Both Goku and Vegeta have been resurrected twice. But how many times has each been healed after a battle?

  Unfortunately, it is not clear just how many times Goku and Vegeta have been healed after sustaining injuries in battle and it is also unknown how many times Vegeta had to be healed of his injuries during his service to Frieza. However, throughout the series, Goku has definitely been pushed to the brink more times than Vegeta. So if being healed of physical damage increases the power level of Saiyans, it is likely that Goku has suffered far more battle scars than Vegeta and benefited from it. After all, Vegeta was originally more powerful than Goku and less likely to be injured to the degree that Goku has repeatedly been. In fact, prior to his battle with the Z-Fighters on Earth, it doesn't seem as though Vegeta was very familiar with the concept of defeat, let alone grave injury. 

  It just may be that Goku's willingness to take a beating has made him more powerful than Vegeta.
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  (#5) Goku's Ties To The Monkey King Mythos Prove He Can't Fail

  Son Goku is based on the Monkey King or Sun Wukong, a mythological figure from Buddhist folklore. According to legend, the Monkey King is the most powerful warrior to ever exist and destroyed nearly all of Heaven's celestial army before finally being redeemed. So it may be that in keeping with the Monkey King mythos upon which his character is built, Goku is simply fated to be forever unconquerable. Not that he's never been defeated in the series. He's been defeated numerous times, in fact, but he always manages to make a comeback and emerge victoriously. It is entirely possible that his pedigree is just too big to fail. And Vegeta may simply be cursed to live in the shadow of this unconquerable legend no matter what he does.
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  (#4) Goku's Selflessness Gives Him An Advantage

  Originally, Goku was a very angry and violent child under the care of his adoptive grandfather, Gohan. But after waking up from a coma caused by a head injury that nearly killed him, his personality changed radically and he lost most of the heightened Saiyan aggression that he possessed before the accident. This is what likely instigated his morally pure and strong-willed personality. His jovial demeanor and empathy towards others, including his own enemies, has resulted in a good deal of trouble for the hero. However, it is also what is behind his willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. His greatest strength comes from his need to protect others.

  Vegeta, however, is a different story. While Vegeta is also no stranger to sacrifice and selflessness, this has never come easily to the Saiyan prince. As a result, going all-out for others with no thoughts about his own well-being is a rarity. Vegeta values his own life too much to be truly self-sacrificing. He is hesitant to cross that line which Goku is just not afraid to cross. But is he weaker because of it?
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  (#1) Goku Is A Duelist, While Vegeta Is A Soldier

  So this (insanely in-depth) theory actually comes from Redditor /u/thelamogio1 who states,

  The reason why Vegeta will never beat Goku is because they are different types of fighters. Goku has been training all his life to be a duelist. He initially received training from master Roshi (a duelist and tournament champion) with the goal to win tournaments. Even his later training (Kami, King Kai etc) is focused on dealing with a single very powerful opponent, not a sizable group of enemies.

  The only time he ever faced a real army was when he fought the Red Ribbon, who were just a bunch of assh*les with ak47s (and lots of cheap vehicles) not powerful enemies (they were many but come on Goku IS bulletproof, they might as well be unarmed!).Vegeta on the other hand has been training to be a soldier. He received training from King Vegeta, Nappa (both soldiers) and Freeza (a conqueror).

  His early battles are against the armies of entire planets and he fought as part of a group like a soldier (or a special forces operative to be more precise). He often uses ki attacks like "Continuous Energy Bullet" which would obviously be devastating against a large group of weaker enemies and knows how to lead a group of soldiers (he often rallies the rest of the Z fighters, or knows how to "motivate" saibamen for example)

  EDIT1: Plus Vegeta has shown that he knows a thing or two about guerrilla warfare as he has exhibited during the first days he was on Namek (attack freeza troopers only when he has the advantage, use tactics that would force them to split their forces etc) EDIT2: Also if you think about it Vegeta's current training regime focuses on him fighting multiple enemies/being attacked by all sides.

  My theory is that Goku vs Vegeta is like pitting a MMA champion against a navy SEAL. The MMA champion will obviously be better in 1vs1 combat, but the special forces guy has the skills and training necessary to fight and win a war.

   

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