I don't think AA has ever tried to assert that these flights made money-- basically they were just trying to crush Legend (although they phrased the strategy much more diplomatically).

I assume they will now do whatever it takes to make these routes profitable (reducing service amenities, etc.). As far as acting as a deterrent, it would seem that rather than running these money losers indefinitely, it is easier for AA just to wait for word that someone else is attempting to raise money for such an effort, and then re-introduce the upgraded service while they are in the midst of trying to secure venture capital to interfere with the potential competitor's fund raising efforts.