LMFAO I love this. The fandom has never changed.
People already wanting there to be a solid fighting force under Luffy back then, like with Zoro/Sanji/Jinbe/Yamato now. People also eager to kick Sanji out of the Top 3 of the crew.
Some of the theories are interesting. If OP wasn't a long running series, wouldn't of minded a Tashigi v. Zoro before or after Mihawk as a worthy challenger.