Is there any distinction between the primal elementals we see on the Dragon Isles vs the garden variety azerothian elementals we’ve seen else where?
I might be wrong, but I haven’t seen any of them with titles (duke, baron, prince, etc) to indicate that they have any real structure or allegiance to the elemental lords. I’m assuming the elemental lords either are indifferent to the primalists or in league with them, but there hasn’t been any real indication.
As the Dragon Isles were never part of mainland ancient Kalimdor and the focus of the Titan Keepers was back there locking away the Elemental Lords and their followers during the purge of the Black Empire, it seems like the elementals of the Dragon Isles never had anything in common with them.
I suspect the Primalists don’t have anything to do with the elemental lords and their ilk tbh. To them that bunch would be both void tainted, and then order tainted—Particularly as they find the elemental plane pretty comfy honestly and have no particular desire to be freed of it. It would be best if they were to try and destroy them and the elemental plane as a whole to release their essence so pure primal elementals could be born.
It can also be an evolutionary thing. I mean Pandaria and the Wandering Isle have their own unique elementals. Even elementals made out of beer.