Oh yes, the AT-ST bit was one of the worst parts of the movie, lol. And I actually liked the original film. “Hey look, it’s BB-8! The top of the AT-ST comes off to show you!”
I guess that’s another good reason to remove the fight all together; since he’s involved in the fight and it has to end with BB-8 getting them out of there. Oh well. I hope someone completes that deleted scene one day at least.