Would it improve the game to make the gauntlet instagib? It would allow people in shit situations the difficult opportunity to get back in the game. Like a knock-down punch in boxing.

How about giving the maps the same mood as the match? Like, if there were pretty flowers all over the map in the beginning, but when someone gets fragged, they explode and cover the flowers with blood. The more kills, the bloodier the map gets. And instead of having a clock, the map could change to reflect how much time is left and/or how well you're doing. Like, the more you're losing by and the closer to the end, the darker the map gets.

Oh yeah, and the problem you're having with players throwing matches... why not make it so in the next round, the person who won the group only has to win 2 maps, while the 2nd place qualifier has to win 3?