>>33069569Wallace was the 8th Gym Leader and and Iris was either the apprentice to the 8th Gym Leader or the 8th Gym Leader herself depending upon the version before becoming Champion in the follow ups. Why are you implying they were entirely unknown?
Also, these are directer's cut versions with just a slightly different story. It's highly unlikely they'll change the fact that you're the one and only Champion in Alola who gets to defend their title.
Of all things, it wouldn't surprise me if this is one of the things they actually keep into the future.
Though... A lot of idiots don't know how to read and this think Kukui was more than an exhibition match for the first Champion so maybe they'll feel it's not worth it to keep it when even many of the adults playing are too stupid to get it.
