World Series Main Event Evolution: Harder Then Or Now?

[NYCNative]

Let's look at the World Series ME winners in years gone by. They won by beating a fraction of the players that are playing in the event these days but arguably all of the players they did beat were pretty damn good. There was no "dead money" to contend with.

So what was harder? Winning the tournament where every table had pros who were among the best in the game? Or going through many, many more tables, many of which had zero pros?

I can see the merits in either argument.

I would like if any of the pros here who HAVE played in both situations (pros who play in invitation-only events that guarantee quality players and of course the bigger tourneys open to all or pros whose careers at the WSOP extend on either side of the explosion) give their unique perspective.