When John died, it was due to being teleport-backstabbed. He had no chance whatsoever to react. His death was due to his enemy using cheap, cowardly tactics. If I remember correctly Doc Scratch even said that this specifically is the reason John didn’t die a heroic death!
Now Rose. Condesce threw her oversized trident straight at her, OPENLY. There is no way that our Seer of Light did NOT see it coming. She could even dodge the thing and the fight would continue. The Batterwitch didn’t try any cheap tactics, she didn’t cowardly attack when least expected.

