I think it says volumes that SOD's pick for Best Couple for 2020 on this show was Steve and Kayla, a pairing that had seen their glory days THIRTY PLUS years ago. There is always the complaint that the old-timers like John and Steve and Kayla need to make way for the new generation.
Trouble is, those classic characters had the benefit of good writing and great production values equaling fond memories for many viewers. This generation has crappy writing and cheap production values. And, let's face it, none of them seem to have the "presence" the older characters got. (That includes Ben/Ciara and Chad/Abby, the "popular" [relatively] pairings of the modern era. To me, it does, anyway.)
Even the generation before this crop, with Sami, I find a little of her goes a LONG way. The writers see Sami and think "spitfire bitch". GREAT for young Sami, but it's rather old to me now. The writers never really gave her "shades of gray" in between, IMO, and I think the character has been running in place for years now. (Just my opinion here!)
Long way of saying the best years of this show are long in the rear view mirror.