This has been suggested before, but the defending champion (Physsion here) should automaticly be master for the next term unless he steps down. I don't think any winning master lost (might be wrong) but it would look wrong if Physsion couldn't have defend. Also, a nice side effect would have been that some if not all of the challengers could have try for another element hence helping the strength of the competition where it was needed. This should be announced before next war starts so it doesn't look as a favor to whoever wins this one!
Where would the fun in that be?
I also disagree with it - I think every player has the right to challenge for their favourite element, regardless of the performance of the previous term's Master.
Aves, chrispy, Dani and Joey all knew I had become GM when they signed up for Trials, but there's absolutely no way I'd want to prevent them from doing so. Having a full set of trialists for my favourite Element makes me proud to be the "leader" of it (even if they are trying to take my throne!)
Trials is a really fun event for me, and I wouldn't want to take a free win based on any circumstances. If I had lost this battle, my opponent would have thereby proved he/she was more suitable for the title than myself - I wouldn't sit by and prevent players from having that opportunity to prove themselves.