I am going to venture to guess because he was challenged under the guise of Pokemon Trainer Red by the Gold/Silver/Crystal and Heart Gold and Soul Silver protagonists. Not Pokemon Champion Red. Maybe it was because I was a kid at the time but Blue seemed like a beast back in the day. Steven was alright not to challenging. I never faced Wallace but he would seem a little easier since he only specializes in Water Types. Lance just seems badass I always loved facing his Dragonites they posed a good challenge but not as much of one that Blue put up. Cynthia though she was quite good but I ran through her with two pokemon so I really can't hold her above Blue or Lance(maybe on par or a little above).I vote for Red! Why isn't Red in there? He was a champion, too. He beat Blue, who is supposed to be in there. Not Gary. Red would destroy them all. Cynthia is a joke. Red rapes!!