If I no longer had any OW status, it would make me more likely to try out other products which I would not have in the past - for example ANA or EVA J to North America, Emirates or Etihad J or perhaps even F westbound, Air France First to experience the lounge etc (from what I hear, all are great products).

Lifetime OWE will make me stick with Oneworld airlines, for better or for worse. It's an interesting dynamic, because it's basically BAEC that's making me a sticky CX customer, not CXMP!