You missed these:
#1: Teleport to target with sword.
#2: Start channeling the stomp.
#3: Teleport back with return skill.
#4: Wait for channel to reach the end.
#5: Shadowstep to target with shadowstep/steal/infiltrator
Sword+Steal being a cheap and viable solution.
I agree, however, that it does not warrant this kind of silly nerf..
Using Inf Strike while channeling stomp cancels it whereas Shadow Return doesn’t. As mentioned by OP, the only way to do it is to HOPE the thief tele’d under your shadow return or start stomp, signet away by targeting another enemy and cast shadow return in time. No one really does either of these as they’re inefficient, a waste of CD’s and initiative, and you’d also have to be very very lucky.