Can it still be called a "raid" anymore?

[Shurrikhan]

And... trash is not attractive. That's what makes it trash. If you try to make it more rewarding or worth your time, it's not trash.

I don't see at all, what having to tromp through a couple high HP facerolls on the way to a boss does except waste your time, especially learning in a pug.

Yes. That's the point. To make what is currently trash... not trash. Not exactly mind-blowing.

And, as already mentioned multiple times, enemies prior to the boss don't have to solely be a one-time chore before the "real fight". They can be part of the encounter.