I have to say, this is such a great idea. Loving the speedracer especially right now
Also, for hypothetical round 2, I'm interested in taking suggestions to make the project more exciting. Please post here or PM me any suggestions for themes or twists. I didn't expect this to be so popular, so thank you and have fun to all the participants!
I have theorised these types of things before but, I do not have the talent to pull it off
Easily the next option is an Elite 4. I personally think Elite 4 in the games lack imagination
Lets take the Flying gym, a staple in the games. Instead of a flying Elite 4, why not a "Bird Master" where we use the species not the type
Bird Master
Decidueye
Blaziken
Empoleon
Aromatisse
+ An actual flying type bird
Other ideas - Snake Charmer, Bear trapper, Cats, Military Historian, Monkey King, Tortoises
As for other individual ideas
I have always wanted to see a Titanic themed team
For broader ideas to shake this up for round 2, Kahunas. Then make the totem pokemon genuinely unique. Like Giant Ancient Pokemon with tribal markings.