That is the main reason why I'm frustrated over all these episodes revolved around captures that just get benched... we should get more PWC episodes! Hopefully after Darkest Day they start being more frequent and we can potentially see Ash beat an older character who we
know is strong like Sinnoh BF members, Elite Four members(Seriously Ash should be beating one before he beats a freaking champion!
), and doubtfully characters who won Leagues like Harrison, Tobias, and Alain(though I just want Ash and him to battle just to battle.... don't toss him into the PWC like they did with the Kalos League)
Cause battling Galar Gym Leaders and a handful of older characters? That ain't gonna cut it. This is the Pokemon
World Championship
, Ash should be battling people from all over the globe and not just COTDs who pop up in Vermilion and say they're from somewhere else cause that's just lazy. I love Ash and want his possibly inevitable win over Leon to feel earned, this isn't the end for Ash but 'World Champion' is a much bigger deal than the Alola Champion and I have a insanely hard time seeing any of the current team other than Pikachu, Lucario, and possibly Dragonite being able to hold their own against Leon.
I'd also like it if Ash faces Lance, Cynthia, and Diantha in the top 8. If he misses out on fighting any, it should honestly be Alder and Steven since he hardly interacted with those two. We'll see if beating Raihan is how he gets in or not~
And honestly?
Having Pikachu, Charizard, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Dragonite and Gengar fight Lance would be freaking dope!
With Lucario(No Pikachu), Infernape, Torterra, Garchomp, Staraptor and Buizel fighting Cynthia
Pikachu, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Goodra, Noivern, and Greninja fighting Diantha