>Since Gen 1, the very first rival battle has been completely inconsequential
Why even have it if it's just going to be a way to hit Level 6 and get chump change before leaving town and nothing else? It's not even skill, it's RNG. Your Pokemon are just scratching or tackling each other until one faints.
Why can't they just introduce the rival and then have a battle later on? Why are they so eager to battle the moment they get a Pokemon?