I feel like the game would get 80% of its veterans back if,

[Doffen]

Maybe veterans would play the PTR version like you if they could keep the progress since its free sub.

Veterans are still here. Many still loves the game. Veterans are more likely to be 80% of the player base. Many are also gone, and would never come back no matter what the game changes into. 5% did Sunwell back in TBC because it was too hard. Even less did Naxxramas in vanilla because it was too hard

This wouldn't even get 0.80% of the rest of veteran player base back.

[AudibleEscalation]

if it just made optional 100% of any actions that doing them currently increase the power level of a character in any way - be it gear or talent points or any other way - which would be needed to enter hard mode content.

Progression with powergains IS the game.
No one wants 80% of veterans "back" if they are thrown into endgame without any guard rails.

Again, this is one of your classic troll threads. Stirring the pot with completely outrageously unrealistic idea, presenting it as "truth" and pretending you speak for the devs. It's not even worth a discussion. You have no idea what you're talking about.

When was the last time you actually played the game?