It isn't contradictory. C+ is nicer than C- and having it as an elite benefit is a plus. You could say the same about any preferred seat, really, with C+ being an extra step nicer. It just isn't all that nice and getting "upgraded" to a C+ middle is not something that most of us would consider to be an improvement. The changes to how it is allocated is a big downgrade in elite benefits regardless of how mediocre the product is.

It's like if the Sky Club had Jack Daniels as its well whiskey and they announced it was going to be downgraded to some no name brand. Jack isn't all that great, but decent and drinkable especially when complimentary. Though some people would disagree and choose to pay for better stuff (just like some people choose to go ahead and pay for D1 or FC). But the new no name brand would probably basically be gasoline. Getting annoyed and thinking it was a downgrade wouldn't mean everybody thought Jack Daniels was an amazing whiskey. It just means it was better than the new alternative.