I think you hit the nail on the head. Ya win some, and ya lose some. Ya give some knocks, and ya get some knocks. That's live pressure testing. It's good for trimming the ego. I think too many people are too used to seeing scripted/semi-scripted demos where one participant (Hatsumi-sensei) has a LOT more skill than the other.
A beautiful compilation of Takamatsu sensei, young Hatsumi sensei and his students. Some moments there of Takamatsu sensei teaching.