Don't agree with "taiji has such a bad rap"
Other then one's self who would one have to prove it to...
in the 70s, CMA had a bad rap.. still does
As a young teenager, later a young GI in the US Army I would have many encounters with people who practiced different styles correcting what I felt were misconceptions about CMA.
In the traditional way the style Tibetan white crane spoke through me in answer to their questions.
Answered mine and their questions....
taiji is a method,,part of CMA, classed as IMA
With Taiji it's the same..although much older now....
In some aspects it's harder, because the method and expectations are quite different .
The testing is kind of the same although what is tested also different...
In Beijing, saw someone practicing what I felt was the same taiji as my teacher taught...In my limited Chinese, I made it known that I liked what the gentleman was practicing...He wanted to test though the customary "push hand" format..
He started a little rough, and managed to get tossed to the ground...He then mentioned this is not the taiji of my teacher....
Said "ok"
He tried again, much more reserved in his approach...
remarking "yes, this feels like your teacher's taiji"
In Taiwan, also met people testing, and being tested....
all according to level and ability..
Myself what I look for, consistency between method, usage...
what one says they practice, what they actually use, and can do.
For most talking about MMA,,,back in the day "full contact" competitions
Not a place to test whether something works or not....
If one has determined what they do works...they might consider the level at which it works at and why...
Just as for many in meeting CMA/ IMA practitioners, would be a mistake to feel one can't be hurt by them....
depending on the one that one happens to run into...