The two tokens are being traded for one another and both have good liquidity, so it's not strange if one rises when the other falls considering that they are now working on different principles. People try to swing trade both or to hedge their bets.

"Bad mouthing" can take many forms. For years now BTC developers and supporters have badmouthed dissenters, censored debate and manipulated the public in many ways while letting the blocks get ful in spite of this not being necessary and going against the plan of Satoshi. It continues.

The difference is that blockchains are a competitive space. When the product is not delivered, others fill the deman.