If you can't win close to 50% of your matches for whatever reason, you don't belong this high on the ladder and will go down until you find your sweet spot. It doesn't mean you have to like it though.
I had guildies complaining about unfair match ups, but no one was completely smashed and each one had a close match. They're all K2-K1. Now if you wish to call me whatever you want for saying that, up to you, but it seems to work very well at this level.
Now your "How many more times will whales have to throw matches so they can get bumped backwards to beat on weaker players" is a different concern, because it doesn't create interesting battles. They don't play you win, they play you lose. I just hope it's anecdotal enough in those lower parts of the ladder so it doesn't ruin the experience.