Ash's father was the Kanto Champion for a moment theory.
I'm not the best with explaining this, but I was rewatching the series for the umpteenth time, including the final special series sending Ash off.
And that final episode where Ash goes to see his dad but misses him, I heard Delia saying his father had an 'emergency' and had to leave right away and quite far. It can't be Giovanni then, TR headquarters AND his league work for his gym both are stationed in Kanto. His work isn't far at all. So that kinda ticks off Giovanni, as much as that is a beloved theory.
But then I noticed and remembered something. ALL of Masters 8 and Journeys in general were calling Lance the NEW Kanto and Johto champion.
I mean, it's just a conspiracy theory, and if you have any other reasons to go against this OR back this theory I'd love to hear it. I had to send my thoughts on this as soon as I had them, if I didn't I'd forget as I have diagnosed ADHD and forget easily.
Oh, but this does kinda support the Red as his dad theory since I think the lore is Red defeated Lance briefly but left to go to Mt. Silver? I mean, it has plot holes, I know that, I kinda rushed to make this in hopes others might help me cause this was a sudden kinda thought, but in the games Red defeats Blue, becomes champion, but then passes it on to Lance. But I think in the anime Lance was an Elite Four member but then again it again would still fit. Just saying.
Sorry this is kinda more of a rambled theory...sorry if you waste time reading it.