I agree with this, although it's a shame.Because a lot comes down to perceived superiority and charisma. Stipe is not charismatic, he is a cadaver on the mic. And he has a lot of KOs but also losses. He has been around for a long while, so it is not as if he was the fresh new dominant thing. He is in a hot streak, but stars are built from more.
He also needs a genuine nemesis for narrative.
After his appearance on JRE I really like him.
Glad he won tonight