I don’t know if it’s necessarily safe to assume it was originally better, but it’s certainly possible. I think the Reylos are naturally clinging on to this as evidence Ben wasn’t supposed to die, but I’m not sure it proves that. Like RL what I read was originally the ending featured the whole gang.
While I love the gag of R2 putting 3PO’s memory back despite his protests, I’d love to use that^ idea if someone can figure it out.