I think the purpose of the sword was obvious. The reactions varied. To be fair, Storm literally shocked and stunned Annihilation, the big bad of this event, and the leader and most powerful force in the incoming invasion. (Genesis without the mask is considered more powerful than Apocalypse and this was with the god force mask on). She also managed to hold back the entire first demon wave by herself to buy the XMen time. People were impressed when Storm held back Sinister and the Marauders on her own and this was that on a much larger scale. While it wasn't the most creative use of powers, I would argue that it was an impressive display of raw power on her part. That coupled with her hand to hand defeat of Death, a being who survived for 1000 years in combat, while being drunk and without her powers, and I'm confused as to how it makes one easily impressed.