If Kami had fused with Piccolo early he could have squashed Cell 1.
If Krillin had detonated 18 he would have lost to Vegeta or Trunks.
If Vegeta hadn't let him absorb 18 then ditto.
If Goku hadn't given him a census bean then him or Gohan probably could have beaten him without SSJ2.
Cell is a jobber who got lucky.