Nah I think there’s been some implications that they weren’t around during the Void century. I don’t exactly remember what they were though.
It may have been how they were talking about the Nika fruit in 1044. They were talking about how all eras of the WG kept the fruit secret, implying their...
I don’t know, the gap between rankings is pretty small. I think it depends if Sanji is able to speed blitz counter Katakuri’s FS.
If he can then I could see it. Not sure how well Kata would handle a barrage of Ifrit Jambe attacks.
But that’s the point. Oda made it vague from the start which leads to the surprise factor being so significant.
Even in-universe, it seems his subordinates weren’t even aware of their powers either.
They make the decision making of everything that happens to the normal folk of the world and are essentially looked upon as gods.
This includes the marines which posses the admirals, and authority is usually a representation of power in One Piece.
Kaido is probably dead I'd wager, we actually saw him getting submerged in the magma before it erupts. Plus I'm not sure what he would add to the story if he were to be back.
Big Mom is guarenteed to be alive. She outright said this wouldn't kill her after falling down that hole, Pudding iirc...