I think Gotti should have excepted Paul's overtures to rule as a power sharing administration. He, Tommy Gambino and Tommy Bilotti could've been on a ruling panel until Paul was sentenced and shipped upstate. Then John could have made his move. I doubt very much if the Chin and Tony Ducks would've put out a contract on Gotti if he clipped Tommy G and the "Rug". Besides a power struggle is not an uncommon thing in Cosa Nostra. Still John just couldn't humble himself enough to placate Castellano. His ego wouldn't allow him to play the subservient role to anyone in that organization. By putting Fat Ange, Gene, John Carneglia and Tony Roach on a shelf, he could have bought himself some time once Neil passed.