While you can argue this for the other disciplines, I think I should point out that in the men's discipline all of the multi-award world champions since 2012 (and for that matter unless I have misread, the silver and bronze), and the podium placers at the last two Olympics have all seen fit to attend - and have won - 4CC. With of course one exception, that Spaniard who pretty well owned Euros for 7 years....
(Feel free to mention if I have forgotten someone).
4CC have petty strong fields since 5-6 years. There is a real competition in all disciplines even with US fed which sometimes sends B teams.
Kihira's, Chen's, Hanyu's, Sui/Han's titles for eg have pretty big weight imo.