Fixing mangled ball & socket connections

I have a '94 Mustang GT with a full exhaust, shorty headers into this midpipe which is connected to an American Thunder catback. The idiot who installed this stuff on my car (me) didn't hook the ball/socket connectors up correctly, but torqued them down anyway and then drove the system for a very long time using copper RTV to seal the leaks. Not ideal.

That idiot is now trying to fix his mistake, and wondering the best way to do it:

• Cut the ball/socket fittings off, remove the flanges, and clamp on a connector/coupling to mate the fittings up.
• Try and re-form the ball/socket fittings with a torch, pliers, hammers, swearing, yelling, etc.
• Cut the ball/socket fittings off and install new ball/socket fittings.
• Take it to an exhaust shop and have them just weld it all together.
• Risk divorce by buying a whole new midpipe and catback.

I am mostly curious about the downsides of replacing the ball/socket fittings with a coupler. Seems like the coupler would be more secure and absolutely leak-free, but I'm wondering if Ford didn't use ball/socket connections to allow flex in the system.

I'd like to avoid welding if I can, since I don't have a welder myself, and would like to replace the catback at some point.

Appreciate any advice or insight.