Held the belt for over 10 years combined to be exact...
More memorable matches? RVD
They're only more memorable because Thesz wrestled when the television was still in its infancy. Seriously I bet you about 5% of people on these boards have ever even seen a Lou Thesz match, of course people are going to remember the guy who wrestled last year. Fandango has had more memorable matches than Lou Thesz if we're using that criteria. Thesz has had 60 minute battles with people like Rikidozan, Mil Mascaras, Verne Gagne, etc, etc, etc. His matches with Rikidozan are largely given credit for the rise of pro-wrestling in Japan. The RISE OF PRO WRESTLING IN JAPAN. ECW isn't even in the same league as far as I'm concerned.
More exciting offense? RVD
Yeah, I agree. Still I don't think that's enough to go over a guy who wrestled in 7 different decades and has been the inauguration inductee in 7 different wrestling HOF's. The guy who won World titles in America, Japan, and Mexico against the biggest stars in the entire world. The guy who's probably had the biggest impact on pro-wrestling more than anybody ever.
But yeah RVD has a more exciting offense.
In what world? If you add up all of Thesz's title reigns, he's something like a 23 time World Champion. Even if you throw in RVD's Hardcore, European, Tag, and IC reigns he wouldn't come close. If you count the one that matters, RVD's won it once, twice if you count the ECW World title. As I said earlier, Thesz was champion for a combined 10+ years.
Global recognition & mainstream success? RVD
Now you're just making shit up.
Seems like an easy vote if we go by numbers or kayfabe booking for what is in store for later rounds.
I agree.
EDIT: Just re-read your post and I kind of have to add this. You say Thesz hasn't innovated anything too memorable. Ever heard of the Thesz press? The move the biggest star in the company utilized as a signature during the Attitude Era? Or the STF? The move the current number one guy uses as a finish? Come on dude.