If it were a boxing match or MMA match, wouldn't you expect the competitor to do his homework on his opponent and come prepared to give you a good show and train his ass off to entertain you and show you athleticism at it's best?
Same here. Nowadays cats come up with some lines that are almost impossible to spit off the dome, and to me, I would prefer that. A polished verse with an Emcee's ability to craft a verse showcased as opposed to someone just throwing some shit together that's either hot or not!
I think both approaches are something to be admired, but if I'm paying to see these battles (which I usually don't because I get on the list) I want to see and hear something spectacular.
I was looking for a street fight/freestyle and in street fights/freestyle there is no training/preping.