lvl 50 mages/necros camping low level named mobs

You're probably right. Honestly, it was the only true rule on my original server as well even in Classic 99. Even when PNP theoretically existed. Our top guilds simply chose not to follow the PNP, FTE, etc and as far as I'm aware, no one was ever banned for it (on my server). You showed up, you raced, the winner went home with lewts.

It's why I always say this is a soft PVP game. You're participating in PVP every time you login. You just can't kill the other player. Well... can't kill them if they're recording you.

The PNP and the rules that were in force at that time lasted much longer than PoP. They changed it about... what, 7-8 years ago? Maybe less.

As for your raid rotation getting jumped... totally different conversation.

Was changed with the first set of progression servers after combine/sleeper, IIRC. So 7-8 years sounds about right.