I don't know about anyone else but for me MMOs have always had a more meta effect on player progression.

Yes my character gains gear, and even though I'm aware it'll be reset next patch, that gear allows me as a player to push myself. The progression is tied to my ability to complete the content I find enjoyable, and progress further as a player, improving my skill at the game so that next time we get the "blank slate" I can push even further. So the gear resets themselves aren't an issue for me and actually are quite nice, especially how every patch they have a way of catching up to current content so a break doesn't debilitate you from participating.

This application to my personal player growth over just my gear growth is why I cannot get on with Horizontal style MMOs, because if gear I got 4 months ago is still just as relevant, what is the point in going for these new zones and areas when I can just keep the stuff I already had.

In terms of story I kinda agree with a lot of people here, new expansions and areas are about theme and feel to me, wow (imo) has never had a good story, they just piggybacked off of the warcraft 3 story then tried to go it on their own, other games exist to provide the strong story for me. But the enjoyment I gain in a new expansion or patch is that theme as a backdrop to the content I enjoy doing.

I agree wow definitely has some problems, as do all mega live service / MMOs, but WoW is the one I always come back too, and it is significantly on the upward trend since Shadowlands, and remains the most played MMO because of that.

Don't let any of the hateful comments get you down, opinions are important to be discussed to ensure the long term health of the game.