If XMR really did get some momentum then you can count on Bitcoin maximalists to attack them. They'll attack other Bitcoin iterations so a whole, and much smaller, rival would be too much to resist.
What is all this "Bitcoin maximalists" and "Bitcoin iterations" language? Anyone self-identifying that way, or attacking "Bitcoin iterations" sound like yet more deluded armchair software engineers. So, is this your pejorative label for some Bitcoin perspective or something that people actually identify with? It seems like very strong language coming from someone who only ever claims little-to-no interest in Bitcoin's technical aspects.