User blog comment:B214/Shin DxD 1 discussion/@comment-31137559-20180728051748/@comment-2602:306:CD9A:C860:D140:5D6E:650C:1D24-20180729001535

Ishibumi could pull an unexpected and have Rias win but it seems unlikely from how everything has been set up. Issei awakening the glimpse of his hidden GR power that Ajuka predicted would happen in the tournament. Considering the next opponent after Rias would be the Super Devil team, I see no reason it wouldn't be that perfect opportunity for Issei to awaken that power. That and the condition of Issei reaching the top 4. I'm, not saying Issei will the tournament but it just doesn't seem to make sense he would lose fo Rias in the first round. Her role is mainly just another wall for Issei to overcome.

Issei beating Typhon was expected to happen given Ishibumi claim Issei would suffer defeat in the preliminaries and he already did against Dulio's team and also it was for progression for Issei to defeat a god. Him beating Typhon's team through Ddraig's resurrection is just another miracle that Issei causes. I see no miracle for Rias to pull off unless it's an asspull. Not saying Rias wouldn't put up a fight but statistically speaking her team just doesn't equal to Issei's.