Another critical flaw that was present in Cataclysm and not in any other expansion is the lack of entry-level raid tier at release. While I can't disagree with their stance on "Epics have ceased to become epic" opinion, the fact that we received the same quality of gear as we always had (rare) even at 85 after a day's worth of nerve-wracking, heart-breaking runs of early Heroics (Admit it... Those things were hard as hell at release of Cata.) probably discouraged a lot of people. The rewarding feel of completing a bloody run through a cave filled with rocks and cultists and more rocks... was just another blue, rare-quality item. It doesn't help that they've re-used many of those models from leveling, and... Since that's what we had to wear to start raiding, as Wrath of the Lich King showed, we got burnt out on it. Fast.

With Wrath, heroics had epics at the end of the run, and most of them used unique models. The Loyal Crest of Lordaeron was a very special shield, and one of the best looking shields to date (in my opinion). Red Sword of Courage was an excellent tank weapon, and didn't get a re-tex until Halls of Reflection. Drake-mounted Crossbow is still a unique model, to this day. And who can forget the awesome visuals of Colossal Skull-Forged Cleaver, or Greed? While armors were the same as raid-quality drops, they still shone brighter than typical loot. (Planetary Helm, which used the typical Vrykul drinking bucket-helm Vs. Chitin Shell Greathelm, which used the DK starting helm)

Apologies for making this a bitchfest for Cata, but... As much complaints Wrath got (and how easy it was... I won't deny it. I PUG-raided quite efficiently the whole expansion, even seeing end-bosses), they've done some things right.