I would have said something if I noticed any discrepancies. It's how we roll, nah'mean, son!? 

The thing about an odd number is, someone is gonna feel some kinda way if the other two don't go along with them. I mean, depending on who it is, some people may be like. "Oh well, 2 beats 1... unless you're Skallagrim and fighting everyone in the arena and killing them... :(" xD. 

I suggested the 'discovery phase' because, eventually, that's what happens anyway. Having it open before the fights would allow everyone to comment, bad or good(either way, that's what'll happen, even if we have the committee), so the GM could get a feel for how everyone feels about the submitted applicants, get all the negativity out of the way. I've noticed now that no matter if the GM accepts them, people are gonna argue over someone being OP, and the like... and in some cases, they are absolutely right too, but they can do it in a better way and GMs can handle it better.