I started the same discussion few days ago:
It seems there is no point - content is easier, leveling is faster, with boosts and tokens you can buy your way to max level. It still makes more sense than retail but interest is not enough to justify official servers. Even now there is small hardcore community on WOTLK but it’s nowhere near the size of the hardcore community on WOW Classic. With various statistics displayed on the achievements tab, you can make your own hardcore challenge. I just started a paladin and leveled to 14, I’ll see how far I’ll level before the 1st death, Hogger almost finished me.