I get the reason for wanting to do this - it's more competitive, but it's kinda stupid when the game is an MMORPG, you should have to actually play the game and better your character to compete at the highest level vs logging into a tournament realm and having everything provided
Getting better at the game and up-keeping your character with AP/gear isn't at all the same. You can still actually play the game in addition to tourney realms so I don't get why you believe these are mutually exclusive.