I’m an avid Dondozo user, and imo you are drastically under selling how bulky Dondozo is. Remember that to beat most Annihilape, it only needs to survive until Fissure connects, which is on average 3 turns. In this time Annihilape is not getting any sort of boosts to Rage Fist, and Unaware negates Bulk Up boosts, should you be carrying the move. You will have to dodge a 30% chance for 8 turns, maybe a few less if you play right, to not lose to Dondozo and be able to beat it consistently. This is, simply put, not reliable at all. In order to consistently deal notable damage to Dondozo, Annihilape must sacrifice itself with Final Gambit, which while doing a respectable 80ish percent, also kills it, which is not always what you want. It’s also not unreasonable for Dondozo to find a few opportunities to get Leftovers recovery or even find a turn to Rest up if it’s carrying the move, and Ape sacrificing itself will be almost, if not completely negated should that happen.Okay, Thanks for clearing things up. But, the part about Dondozo being a roadblock, can't Annihilape use the lack of reliable recovery against it? After a little chip from hazards, if luck favoring it Annihilape can beat Donmandozo in a one-on-one.
Also, the fact that Gholdengo can handle unboosted Rage Fists without tera is something you can't just say-Annihilape can easily get that boost and then Gholdengo is forced to tera.
But okay, I agree with Annihilape staying in A-.
Gholdengo, while being more doable, is still able to go one on one with most Annihilape, yes it can boost up to maybe force a tera, but if you Bulk Up as Gholdengo Nasty Plots, or worse, Tricks you a Choice item, you’re just as fucked.