I haven't run the Ocoee in many years but I know the Cheat well and think those who know both runs would say:
1-The Ocoee is a considerably smaller,shallower run and thus the most serious threat it offers comes mainly in the form of potential beatings while upside down or swimming.
2-The Cheat Canyon is significantly larger,mostly deeper and much more isolated.By comparison the Cheat is much pushier and also more obstructed by boulders whereas the Ocoee blocks your view with slightly more gradient.
3-Being all natural flow the Cheat is subject to a much larger degree of flucuation in levels.
Consider the Cheat Canyon about 1 class more difficult than the Ocoee and much more comparable to the lower Gauley in character.Given the Cheat's isolation and power and the fact there are many days when the Cheat will have only a few paddlers on it you should try the lower Gauley in release season as a stepping stone to the Cheat.BTW since the Ocoee release puts a good medium level of flow in that riverbed my comparsions between the 2 (and release level on the LG)would mean the Cheat at 2.5 Albright bridge,not 1.2,which is obviously a pretty low water run on the Cheat.At 1.2 Albright the biggest difference between the 2 would be the isolation and smaller paddling crowds on the Cheat.
Paul