I’ve never seen it myself either. DBZ abridged is pretty good, though I think I appreciate it more having known the original version first (otherwise I would have suggested that one).

All I know is that I’m glad I watched DBZ as episodes taped on VHS instead of the weekly format I think they were on TV (I didn’t have cable growing up). There were literally entire episodes that were mainly Goku and opponent powering up, opponent telling Goku how fucked he was and Goku getting excited because fighting his way out of being entirely fucked is his favorite pastime. It was bad enough spending 23 minutes watching that without having to then wait a week to see what happens next (usually massive energy attack, whoever threw it acting smug until the dust clears to show their opponent still standing).

I’m not selling it great, but the real fun of the show was in the character interactions. The fights were fairly predictable but the characters were great.

Edit: forgot to say what Goku and opponent were doing for entire episode lol