small blocks are what allows block validation to happen at a reasonable pace because it places an upper threshold for computing requirements to allow for a level playing field for nodes;  to not create incentives to have computing power be a hurdle to validate incoming blocks. little to do with payment channels, all to do with keeping running a Bitcoin node as open as possible whether you are a big company on the newest version or an individual running a version a decade old

your cryptonote knockoff isnt designed this way and can only continue to make excuses to fork constantly, unable to keep nodes in sync or keep a story straight 🤷