The question is, why do people want fist stances to mean something? If it's just going to be a system where X is better than Y, it's no better than what we have now, if you rotate between them, it is just copying Bard. If they are more situational, then isn't that counter productive to what people want to achieve? We want less situational skills and a more complete kit and with that, when thinking of a rework/redesign, don't think about how you can try and force them in but think of a system and see if they CAN fit. If they can, sure, add them, if they can't, then don't force them in.

A quick way you can keep the fists in, is have them be cooldowns and have them upgrade to the riddles at a higher level. Have Fists of fire be a 20 second 10% damage buff, which is upgraded to Riddle of Fire to give the current 20 second 25% damage buff. With Fists of Earth, you have the defensive side, then when you get Riddle of Earth, it adds Earths Reply and the GL refresh to the effect. I can't quickly think of a use for Fists of Wind/Riddle of Wind, unless it's a GL generator, which could make Tornado Kick useful, however I would prefer them remove Tornado Kicks reliance on GL stacks altogether.