I'm sorry but plot armor counts. It's common enough that the stuff where the armor doesn't show up to teach some hero a "lesson" that sticks out.
How's Tim exceptional? I know he's smart but he constantly faces his opponents in physical combat. And if it's cause he trained with Lady Shiva, well start getting others training. If Steph spent half the time she spent listening to people telling her to stop improving instead she'd be as good as anyone.