If the majority of new users are exposed to linux via wayland and exposed to wayland via gnome and the gnome experience sucks people will perceive that linux wayland and gnome suck regardless of who is at fault.

Have anyone ever bought a car or piece of electronics that was bad because of a particular component and though wow <component oem nobody has heard of> really sucks instead of <name on the box> sucks?

Desktop linux may be a niche but window managers are a niche among niches. Interesting window managers implemented via Wayland are a niche in a niche in a niche.