I've had a similar experience with a Chu King Hung student who teaches in Europe.
After having watched the teachers class (which finished off with aforementioned chi-power demonstrations), I went up to introduce myself.
I told the teacher that I also practiced some tie chee and was looking for some people who were interested in some free-style push hands sessions. The teacher immediately, albeit kindly, asked to see my form. So I went through a shortened version of the Yang long form, a bit faster than usual because I wasn't really into putting on a show.
Said teacher then told me that the form looked good but wasn't any good for fighting. And asked me to do some push hands.
A small group of students had gathered around, and they watched as their teacher's intended chi-power demonstration on me ended in a flight lesson for their mentor.
I felt embarrassed for the teacher, and in a second round I let him push me out.
The sad thing is that Chu King Hung's students really run the tie chee show here in town. Their organization, the ITCCA, has teachers in almost every club and association.