So, my EQLive memory is hazy, but you're free to confirm this on live at any time.
1. All dispells, Cancel magic and otherwise, were at one point revamped away from the classic version you are aware of, into a beneficial priority dispells. This was done during the advent of "Cure Detrimental" effects such as the Radiant Cure AA and Purification AA.
Basically they wanted you to start removing debuffs which didn't have a counter (like say a snare or a Druid magic DoT), using those AAs, rather than buff stacking and dispelling top.
Dispells would prioritize removing beneficial spells, until every beneficial buff is removed and THEN it would start eating detrimentals. Again, if you believe this is false on live, go ahead and buff up 10 buffs, DoT yourself in 1st slot and spam dispells. Check the results.
2. Dispells changed to be random slot. This was a widespread change to the mechanics of casted dispells (all the player casted ones). I think dragon AEs retained their top-down mechanic, all the other ones got random slots or worked on the counter-system that we have here, I was never clear on that aspect. Should you disagree with this, again, feel free to log onto live buff up 10 buffs and start spamming cancel magic to see what happens.
Abashi's is rough. There weren't a horribly large number of them floating around pre-2002. I'd say evidence from 2002/2003 should be considered, but much past that, I'd say expect to see lots of mechanics changed like I described above.
Now I wasn't able to read through every post you quoted, but the majority seemed to be 2006+ era, which isn't the best time period to gauge the validity of your assertion. Based on a quick Allakhazam review, you've got posts like this:
November 2001:
Quote:
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This is a right click dispell that dispells ONE of your buffs. At first it was instant cast and unlimited charges, but it now has a casting time. It was so rediculously overpowered for pvp (and in general) that there was no way they could have left it alone. Still a great beat stick. looks like velium brawl stick.
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It would be useful if someone can pull up the January/April 2001 spdat info on Abolish Enchantments to see if there is more specific data there.
I'm pretty sure this quote is incorrect, not much reason for the dispell to be single slot, though if it was ever flagged instant, that is possible I suppose. If no one checks the Velious spdat I can when I get home later tonight.