As predicted, few people wanted to play an artificial version of TBC where people were able to game the system and overly capitalize on exploits and bots. A fresh server offers a fair shake for all, and in a game like wow, the journey really is the fun.
This is why when private servers were ran, every time a fresh server was made, it became very popular and the older server died. Like here, there was the bellyaching of the dominate saying new servers would be the end. They never were. In fact, they got ever more popular.
Face it. Most servers are dead. No one wants to deal with OP horde Bull @!#!, or mages who AOED farmed/exploited in a way that vanilla never really had. No one wants to be death from above epic flying mount people on day 2. It really isn’t fun for most. Having fresh servers give all a chance. It allows new stories to be told, and new heroes to arise.
An economic model who ruins things for thousands to make 15 people happy is simply not smart for Blizzard.