Sentence Correction

i was torn between c and e.

can someone tell me why e is wrong? since it suggests an earlier time, shouldn't it be e?

577. Personal trainers and fitness coaches are to the narcissistic 1980’s just like a private fencing master and dancing teacher was to an earlier time.
(A) just like a private fencing master and dancing teacher was
(B) as have been a private fencing master and dancing teacher
(C) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers were
(D) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers are
(E) just the same as private fencing masters and dancing teachers had been

OA is c

My 2 cents on (C) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers were
Here tense is plural What X & Y is correct as X&Y are parallel followed by were complementing past tense in plural form . Please correct me if iam wrong

(A) was incorrect
(B) were is more appropriate rather than using present perfect as the ecent happened in past.
(c) correct
(D) it should be 'were' instead of 'are'
(E) had been (past perfect is not required) use of were is correct.

Please correct me if I am wrong