@mr.french:
While I agree with G.A.G, and not you Juju, the bigger problem with the battle was the 1. compatibility battle issue. 2. The nuke-like explosion. 3. and lastly the way Sasuke survived (what you've been arguing about. The least of the 3 major problems) It's perfectly rational to argue that it could have been done 1000 times better than the way it was executed. In reality, he should have died. You can interpret the scene any way you like. The fact is, other characters in the story were not blessed as Sasuke was in that battle.
I liked the fight until the end which was undeniably cheap for Sasuke to come alive from. In that manner at least. Deidara was hot-headed and stupid for his rash actions which was also something I didn't like about the ending but that's besides the point.
The reason why I liked the rest of the fight was because it was the first time elements were used as a disadvantage or advantage, on a large scale, in any fight in the series. Kishi was showing us the impacts an elemental advantage can have on a fight and Sasuke and Deidra were so happened to be used. Before then Kishi explained the elemental chart and used Kakashi's chidori on Kakuzu's rock hard body (literally) but it turned out for naught so the point wasn't really driven home. The Sasuke vs. Deidara battle really proved elements can be pitted against each other to the benefit of a fighter and the downfall of the other based on what those elements might be.
@Friend:
Ah finally back to the real problem in Naruto (aside from mighty morphing black lantern rangers): Gaysauce. As it happens I actually enjoyed Sasuke's little journey PRIOR TO his fight with Itachi. Of course I shouldn't have thought his alliance with "hebi/taka" would have lasted since he betrayed his nakama in the first place, initially by leaving the village right after it had just been invaded and later by attempting to kill Naruto.
A thought occurred to me: is it not possible Sasuke could have gotten ms without killing Itachi? Obviously he had to lkill Itachi because Itachi himself set it up so Sasuke would be forced to kill him for what he did, even though Itachi was acting in the best interests to his knowledge for the village. I ask that question because Kakashi via his sharingan transplant eventually gained ms, but I was thinking this could have been because he seen Obito die in front of him, but couldn't gain the ability unless he had traumatic memories about the incident.
I'm guessing it's because Kakashi wasn't of Uchiha blood his MS took longer to develop or come out. The thing is he didn't kill Obito, only saw him die in front of him so the MS should not have awakened. According to Itachi at least you have to kill your closest friend. (Then there's the probability that Obito never even died…>_>). Also, Sasuke never really even killed Itachi. It was more like Itachi killed himself from chakra exhausetion combined with his illness and just died in front of Sasuke, yet Sasuke achieved MS. Madara said Itachi transferred his eye powers to Sasuke right before his death so I'm thinking it's really just the traumatic experience which awakens the MS. As you said perhaps a traumatic memory could even do the trick.
To answer your question though, nah I don't Sasuke could have awakened MS without Itachi dying in front of him like that. The only other event that would have awakened the MS is probably Naruto dying at his feet. On a side note if traumatic memories were enough to awaken the MS you'd think Sasuke's dark past involving the annihilation of his clan would suffice, though he wasn't there when it happened.