What I think you will see in the new Mormon Review is a publication that will never interest the average Mormon. Thus they can print pretty much whatever they want because no one will ever know they published it. It will be filled with esoterica and academese, because I think the impetus for the publication will be to achieve "academic respectability," not defend the LDS church or its doctrines.
Ah! I don't necessarily think you have the details correct, but the overall effect on the LDS Church you have spot on. That is to say, no effect at all either on doctrine or membership.