The pvp isn't like the ones in the screenshots, I think surge is saying to make it 1.9.2 compatible. I staff another server and they did a huge update to make it compatible, and it's basically the same as 1.8
Apart from the pvp aspect, the rest of the stuff introduced in 1.9 is pretty cool. If we're gonna play post 1.9 then we're gonna have to either get used to the pvp changes accept the evolution of minecraft, or as mentioned previously Surge will have to work hard to tweak the pvp. Apart from the pvp delay, I like most of the stuff introduced in 1.9. Expanding the end, lingering potions, potion tipped arrows etc. It'd be great to introduce the Elytra to Skyblock and glide around the island with it (once the disappearing animals glitch/bug finally gets fixed and the animals get returned).