diff --git a/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_test.go b/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_test.go
index c4ca88ef6..95e6c9108 100644
--- a/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_test.go
+++ b/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_test.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	apiequality "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/equality"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/fields"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/labels"
@@ -327,6 +328,18 @@ func TestSendInitialEventsBackwardCompatibility(t *testing.T) {
 	storagetesting.RunSendInitialEventsBackwardCompatibility(ctx, t, store)
 }
 
+func TestCacherWatchSemantics(t *testing.T) {
+	store, terminate := testSetupWithEtcdAndCreateWrapper(t)
+	t.Cleanup(terminate)
+	storagetesting.RunWatchSemantics(context.TODO(), t, store)
+}
+
+func TestCacherWatchSemanticInitialEventsExtended(t *testing.T) {
+	store, terminate := testSetupWithEtcdAndCreateWrapper(t)
+	t.Cleanup(terminate)
+	storagetesting.RunWatchSemanticInitialEventsExtended(context.TODO(), t, store)
+}
+
 // ===================================================
 // Test-setup related function are following.
 // ===================================================
@@ -424,3 +437,36 @@ func testSetupWithEtcdServer(t *testing.T, opts ...setupOption) (context.Context
 
 	return ctx, cacher, server, terminate
 }
+
+func testSetupWithEtcdAndCreateWrapper(t *testing.T, opts ...setupOption) (storage.Interface, tearDownFunc) {
+	_, cacher, _, tearDown := testSetupWithEtcdServer(t, opts...)
+
+	if err := cacher.ready.wait(context.TODO()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error waiting for the cache to be ready")
+	}
+	return &createWrapper{Cacher: cacher}, tearDown
+}
+
+type createWrapper struct {
+	*Cacher
+}
+
+func (c *createWrapper) Create(ctx context.Context, key string, obj, out runtime.Object, ttl uint64) error {
+	if err := c.Cacher.Create(ctx, key, obj, out, ttl); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return wait.PollUntilContextTimeout(ctx, 100*time.Millisecond, wait.ForeverTestTimeout, true, func(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+		currentObj := c.Cacher.newFunc()
+		err := c.Cacher.Get(ctx, key, storage.GetOptions{ResourceVersion: "0"}, currentObj)
+		if err != nil {
+			if storage.IsNotFound(err) {
+				return false, nil
+			}
+			return false, err
+		}
+		if !apiequality.Semantic.DeepEqual(currentObj, out) {
+			return false, nil
+		}
+		return true, nil
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_whitebox_test.go b/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_whitebox_test.go
index eecf2ddfc..fcef65efb 100644
--- a/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_whitebox_test.go
+++ b/pkg/storage/cacher/cacher_whitebox_test.go
@@ -1340,15 +1340,6 @@ func verifyEvents(t *testing.T, w watch.Interface, events []watch.Event, strictO
 	}
 }
 
-func verifyNoEvents(t *testing.T, w watch.Interface) {
-	select {
-	case e := <-w.ResultChan():
-		t.Errorf("Unexpected: %#v event received, expected no events", e)
-	case <-time.After(time.Second):
-		return
-	}
-}
-
 func TestCachingDeleteEvents(t *testing.T) {
 	backingStorage := &dummyStorage{}
 	cacher, _, err := newTestCacher(backingStorage)
@@ -1611,205 +1602,6 @@ func TestCacheIntervalInvalidationStopsWatch(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestCacherWatchSemantics(t *testing.T) {
-	trueVal, falseVal := true, false
-	makePod := func(rv uint64) *example.Pod {
-		return &example.Pod{
-			ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-				Name:            fmt.Sprintf("pod-%d", rv),
-				Namespace:       "ns",
-				ResourceVersion: fmt.Sprintf("%d", rv),
-				Annotations:     map[string]string{},
-			},
-		}
-	}
-
-	scenarios := []struct {
-		name                   string
-		allowWatchBookmarks    bool
-		sendInitialEvents      *bool
-		resourceVersion        string
-		storageResourceVersion string
-
-		initialPods                []*example.Pod
-		podsAfterEstablishingWatch []*example.Pod
-
-		expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder   []watch.Event
-		expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder   []watch.Event
-		expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch []watch.Event
-	}{
-		{
-			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=unset, storageRV=102",
-			allowWatchBookmarks:                true,
-			sendInitialEvents:                  &trueVal,
-			storageResourceVersion:             "102",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101)},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:         []*example.Pod{makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)},
-				{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
-					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-						ResourceVersion: "102",
-						Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
-					},
-				}},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			name:                   "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=0, storageRV=105",
-			allowWatchBookmarks:    true,
-			sendInitialEvents:      &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:        "0",
-			storageResourceVersion: "105",
-			initialPods:            []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)},
-				{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)},
-			},
-			expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
-					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-						ResourceVersion: "102",
-						Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
-					},
-				}},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=101, storageRV=105",
-			allowWatchBookmarks:                true,
-			sendInitialEvents:                  &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:                    "101",
-			storageResourceVersion:             "105",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
-			expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
-					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-						ResourceVersion: "102",
-						Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
-					},
-				}},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			name:                                 "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=unset, storageRV=102",
-			sendInitialEvents:                    &trueVal,
-			storageResourceVersion:               "102",
-			initialPods:                          []*example.Pod{makePod(101)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder:   []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           []*example.Pod{makePod(102)},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
-		},
-		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=0, storageRV=105",
-			sendInitialEvents:                  &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:                    "0",
-			storageResourceVersion:             "105",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
-		},
-		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                   "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=101, storageRV=105",
-			sendInitialEvents:      &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:        "101",
-			storageResourceVersion: "105",
-			initialPods:            []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			// make sure we only get initial events that are > initial RV (101)
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
-		},
-		{
-			name:                                 "sendInitialEvents=false, RV=unset, storageRV=103",
-			sendInitialEvents:                    &falseVal,
-			storageResourceVersion:               "103",
-			initialPods:                          []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           []*example.Pod{makePod(104)},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(104)}},
-		},
-		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                                 "sendInitialEvents=false, RV=0, storageRV=105",
-			sendInitialEvents:                    &falseVal,
-			resourceVersion:                      "0",
-			storageResourceVersion:               "105",
-			initialPods:                          []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           []*example.Pod{makePod(103)},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(103)}},
-		},
-		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                               "legacy, RV=0, storageRV=105",
-			resourceVersion:                    "0",
-			storageResourceVersion:             "105",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
-		},
-		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                   "legacy, RV=unset, storageRV=105",
-			storageResourceVersion: "105",
-			initialPods:            []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			// no events because the watch is delegated to the underlying storage
-		},
-	}
-	for _, scenario := range scenarios {
-		t.Run(scenario.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			// set up env
-			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.WatchList, true)()
-			storageListMetaResourceVersion := ""
-			backingStorage := &dummyStorage{getListFn: func(_ context.Context, _ string, _ storage.ListOptions, listObj runtime.Object) error {
-				podList := listObj.(*example.PodList)
-				podList.ListMeta = metav1.ListMeta{ResourceVersion: storageListMetaResourceVersion}
-				return nil
-			}}
-
-			cacher, _, err := newTestCacher(backingStorage)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("falied to create cacher: %v", err)
-			}
-			defer cacher.Stop()
-			if err := cacher.ready.wait(context.TODO()); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unexpected error waiting for the cache to be ready")
-			}
-
-			// now, run a scenario
-			// but first let's add some initial data
-			for _, obj := range scenario.initialPods {
-				err = cacher.watchCache.Add(obj)
-				require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v")
-			}
-			// read request params
-			opts := storage.ListOptions{Predicate: storage.Everything}
-			opts.SendInitialEvents = scenario.sendInitialEvents
-			opts.Predicate.AllowWatchBookmarks = scenario.allowWatchBookmarks
-			if len(scenario.resourceVersion) > 0 {
-				opts.ResourceVersion = scenario.resourceVersion
-			}
-			// before starting a new watch set a storage RV to some future value
-			storageListMetaResourceVersion = scenario.storageResourceVersion
-
-			w, err := cacher.Watch(context.Background(), "pods/ns", opts)
-			require.NoError(t, err, "failed to create watch: %v")
-			defer w.Stop()
-
-			// make sure we only get initial events
-			verifyEvents(t, w, scenario.expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder, false)
-			verifyEvents(t, w, scenario.expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder, true)
-			verifyNoEvents(t, w)
-			// add a pod that is greater than the storage's RV when the watch was started
-			for _, obj := range scenario.podsAfterEstablishingWatch {
-				err = cacher.watchCache.Add(obj)
-				require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v")
-			}
-			verifyEvents(t, w, scenario.expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch, true)
-			verifyNoEvents(t, w)
-		})
-	}
-}
-
 func TestWaitUntilWatchCacheFreshAndForceAllEvents(t *testing.T) {
 	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.WatchList, true)()
 	backingStorage := &dummyStorage{}
diff --git a/pkg/storage/testing/watcher_tests.go b/pkg/storage/testing/watcher_tests.go
index eb7acf836..61fbdf607 100644
--- a/pkg/storage/testing/watcher_tests.go
+++ b/pkg/storage/testing/watcher_tests.go
@@ -1222,205 +1222,223 @@ func RunSendInitialEventsBackwardCompatibility(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T
 	w.Stop()
 }
 
-func TestCacherWatchSemantics(t *testing.T) {
+func RunWatchSemantics(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, store storage.Interface) {
 	trueVal, falseVal := true, false
-	makePod := func(rv uint64) *example.Pod {
-		return &example.Pod{
-			ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-				Name:            fmt.Sprintf("pod-%d", rv),
-				Namespace:       "ns",
-				ResourceVersion: fmt.Sprintf("%d", rv),
-				Annotations:     map[string]string{},
+	addEventsFromCreatedPods := func(createdInitialPods []*example.Pod) []watch.Event {
+		var ret []watch.Event
+		for _, createdPod := range createdInitialPods {
+			ret = append(ret, watch.Event{Type: watch.Added, Object: createdPod})
+		}
+		return ret
+	}
+	initialEventsEndFromLastCreatedPod := func(createdInitialPods []*example.Pod) watch.Event {
+		return watch.Event{
+			Type: watch.Bookmark,
+			Object: &example.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					ResourceVersion: createdInitialPods[len(createdInitialPods)-1].ResourceVersion,
+					Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
+				},
 			},
 		}
 	}
-
 	scenarios := []struct {
-		name                   string
-		allowWatchBookmarks    bool
-		sendInitialEvents      *bool
-		resourceVersion        string
-		storageResourceVersion string
+		name                string
+		allowWatchBookmarks bool
+		sendInitialEvents   *bool
+		resourceVersion     string
 
-		initialPods                []*example.Pod
-		podsAfterEstablishingWatch []*example.Pod
+		initialPods                func(ns string) []*example.Pod
+		podsAfterEstablishingWatch func(ns string) []*example.Pod
 
-		expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder   []watch.Event
-		expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder   []watch.Event
-		expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch []watch.Event
+		expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder   func(createdInitialPods []*example.Pod) []watch.Event
+		expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder   func(createdInitialPods []*example.Pod) []watch.Event
+		expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch func(createdPodsAfterWatch []*example.Pod) []watch.Event
 	}{
 		{
-			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=unset, storageRV=102",
+			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=0",
 			allowWatchBookmarks:                true,
 			sendInitialEvents:                  &trueVal,
-			storageResourceVersion:             "102",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101)},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:         []*example.Pod{makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)},
-				{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
-					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-						ResourceVersion: "102",
-						Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
-					},
-				}},
+			resourceVersion:                    "0",
+			initialPods:                        func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "2"), makePod(ns, "3")} },
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
+			expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder: func(createdInitialPods []*example.Pod) []watch.Event {
+				return []watch.Event{initialEventsEndFromLastCreatedPod(createdInitialPods)}
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name:                   "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=0, storageRV=105",
-			allowWatchBookmarks:    true,
-			sendInitialEvents:      &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:        "0",
-			storageResourceVersion: "105",
-			initialPods:            []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)},
-				{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)},
-			},
-			expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
-					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-						ResourceVersion: "102",
-						Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
-					},
-				}},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=101, storageRV=105",
+			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=true, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=1",
 			allowWatchBookmarks:                true,
 			sendInitialEvents:                  &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:                    "101",
-			storageResourceVersion:             "105",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
-			expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder: []watch.Event{
-				{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
-					ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-						ResourceVersion: "102",
-						Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
-					},
-				}},
+			resourceVersion:                    "1",
+			initialPods:                        func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "4"), makePod(ns, "5")} },
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
+			expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder: func(createdInitialPods []*example.Pod) []watch.Event {
+				return []watch.Event{initialEventsEndFromLastCreatedPod(createdInitialPods)}
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name:                                 "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=unset, storageRV=102",
+			name:                                 "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=unset",
 			sendInitialEvents:                    &trueVal,
-			storageResourceVersion:               "102",
-			initialPods:                          []*example.Pod{makePod(101)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder:   []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           []*example.Pod{makePod(102)},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
+			initialPods:                          func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "6")} },
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder:   addEventsFromCreatedPods,
+			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "7")} },
+			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
 		},
 		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=0, storageRV=105",
+			name:                               "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=0",
 			sendInitialEvents:                  &trueVal,
 			resourceVersion:                    "0",
-			storageResourceVersion:             "105",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
+			initialPods:                        func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "8"), makePod(ns, "9")} },
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
 		},
 		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                   "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=101, storageRV=105",
-			sendInitialEvents:      &trueVal,
-			resourceVersion:        "101",
-			storageResourceVersion: "105",
-			initialPods:            []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			// make sure we only get initial events that are > initial RV (101)
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
+			name:              "allowWatchBookmarks=false, sendInitialEvents=true, RV=1",
+			sendInitialEvents: &trueVal,
+			resourceVersion:   "1",
+			initialPods:       func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "10"), makePod(ns, "11")} },
+			// make sure we only get initial events that are > initial RV (1)
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
 		},
 		{
-			name:                                 "sendInitialEvents=false, RV=unset, storageRV=103",
-			sendInitialEvents:                    &falseVal,
-			storageResourceVersion:               "103",
-			initialPods:                          []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           []*example.Pod{makePod(104)},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(104)}},
+			name:                       "sendInitialEvents=false, RV=unset",
+			sendInitialEvents:          &falseVal,
+			initialPods:                func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "12"), makePod(ns, "13")} },
+			podsAfterEstablishingWatch: func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "14")} },
+			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: func(createdPodsAfterWatch []*example.Pod) []watch.Event {
+				return []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: createdPodsAfterWatch[0]}}
+			},
 		},
 		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                                 "sendInitialEvents=false, RV=0, storageRV=105",
-			sendInitialEvents:                    &falseVal,
-			resourceVersion:                      "0",
-			storageResourceVersion:               "105",
-			initialPods:                          []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			podsAfterEstablishingWatch:           []*example.Pod{makePod(103)},
-			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(103)}},
+			name:                       "sendInitialEvents=false, RV=0",
+			sendInitialEvents:          &falseVal,
+			resourceVersion:            "0",
+			initialPods:                func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "15"), makePod(ns, "16")} },
+			podsAfterEstablishingWatch: func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "17")} },
+			expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch: func(createdPodsAfterWatch []*example.Pod) []watch.Event {
+				return []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: createdPodsAfterWatch[0]}}
+			},
 		},
 		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                               "legacy, RV=0, storageRV=105",
+			name:                               "legacy, RV=0",
 			resourceVersion:                    "0",
-			storageResourceVersion:             "105",
-			initialPods:                        []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: []watch.Event{{Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(101)}, {Type: watch.Added, Object: makePod(102)}},
+			initialPods:                        func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "18"), makePod(ns, "19")} },
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
 		},
 		{
-			// note we set storage's RV to some future value, mustn't be used by this scenario
-			name:                   "legacy, RV=unset, storageRV=105",
-			storageResourceVersion: "105",
-			initialPods:            []*example.Pod{makePod(101), makePod(102)},
-			// no events because the watch is delegated to the underlying storage
+			name:                               "legacy, RV=unset",
+			initialPods:                        func(ns string) []*example.Pod { return []*example.Pod{makePod(ns, "20"), makePod(ns, "21")} },
+			expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder: addEventsFromCreatedPods,
 		},
 	}
-	for _, scenario := range scenarios {
+	for idx, scenario := range scenarios {
 		t.Run(scenario.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			// set up env
 			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.WatchList, true)()
-			storageListMetaResourceVersion := ""
-			backingStorage := &dummyStorage{getListFn: func(_ context.Context, _ string, _ storage.ListOptions, listObj runtime.Object) error {
-				podList := listObj.(*example.PodList)
-				podList.ListMeta = metav1.ListMeta{ResourceVersion: storageListMetaResourceVersion}
-				return nil
-			}}
-
-			cacher, _, err := newTestCacher(backingStorage)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("falied to create cacher: %v", err)
+			if scenario.expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder == nil {
+				scenario.expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder = func(_ []*example.Pod) []watch.Event { return nil }
 			}
-			defer cacher.Stop()
-			if err := cacher.ready.wait(context.TODO()); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unexpected error waiting for the cache to be ready")
+			if scenario.expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder == nil {
+				scenario.expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder = func(_ []*example.Pod) []watch.Event { return nil }
+			}
+			if scenario.podsAfterEstablishingWatch == nil {
+				scenario.podsAfterEstablishingWatch = func(_ string) []*example.Pod { return nil }
+			}
+			if scenario.expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch == nil {
+				scenario.expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch = func(_ []*example.Pod) []watch.Event { return nil }
 			}
 
-			// now, run a scenario
-			// but first let's add some initial data
-			for _, obj := range scenario.initialPods {
-				err = cacher.watchCache.Add(obj)
-				require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v")
+			var createdPods []*example.Pod
+			ns := fmt.Sprintf("ns-%v", idx)
+			for _, obj := range scenario.initialPods(ns) {
+				out := &example.Pod{}
+				err := store.Create(ctx, computePodKey(obj), obj, out, 0)
+				require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v", obj)
+				createdPods = append(createdPods, out)
 			}
-			// read request params
-			opts := storage.ListOptions{Predicate: storage.Everything}
+
+			opts := storage.ListOptions{Predicate: storage.Everything, Recursive: true}
 			opts.SendInitialEvents = scenario.sendInitialEvents
 			opts.Predicate.AllowWatchBookmarks = scenario.allowWatchBookmarks
 			if len(scenario.resourceVersion) > 0 {
 				opts.ResourceVersion = scenario.resourceVersion
 			}
-			// before starting a new watch set a storage RV to some future value
-			storageListMetaResourceVersion = scenario.storageResourceVersion
 
-			w, err := cacher.Watch(context.Background(), "pods/ns", opts)
+			w, err := store.Watch(context.Background(), fmt.Sprintf("/pods/%s", ns), opts)
 			require.NoError(t, err, "failed to create watch: %v")
 			defer w.Stop()
 
 			// make sure we only get initial events
-			verifyEvents(t, w, scenario.expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder, false)
-			verifyEvents(t, w, scenario.expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder, true)
-			verifyNoEvents(t, w)
+			testCheckResultsInRandomOrder(t, w, scenario.expectedInitialEventsInRandomOrder(createdPods))
+			testCheckResultsInStrictOrder(t, w, scenario.expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder(createdPods))
+			testCheckNoMoreResults(t, w)
+
+			createdPods = []*example.Pod{}
 			// add a pod that is greater than the storage's RV when the watch was started
-			for _, obj := range scenario.podsAfterEstablishingWatch {
-				err = cacher.watchCache.Add(obj)
+			for _, obj := range scenario.podsAfterEstablishingWatch(ns) {
+				out := &example.Pod{}
+				err = store.Create(ctx, computePodKey(obj), obj, out, 0)
 				require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v")
+				createdPods = append(createdPods, out)
 			}
-			verifyEvents(t, w, scenario.expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch, true)
-			verifyNoEvents(t, w)
+			testCheckResultsInStrictOrder(t, w, scenario.expectedEventsAfterEstablishingWatch(createdPods))
+			testCheckNoMoreResults(t, w)
 		})
 	}
 }
 
+// RunWatchSemanticInitialEventsExtended checks if the bookmark event marking the end of the list stream contains the global RV
+func RunWatchSemanticInitialEventsExtended(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, store storage.Interface) {
+	trueVal := true
+	initialPod := func(ns string) *example.Pod { return makePod(ns, "2") }
+	expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder := func(firstPod, secondPod *example.Pod) []watch.Event {
+		return []watch.Event{
+			{Type: watch.Added, Object: firstPod},
+			{Type: watch.Bookmark, Object: &example.Pod{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					ResourceVersion: secondPod.ResourceVersion,
+					Annotations:     map[string]string{"k8s.io/initial-events-end": "true"},
+				},
+			}},
+		}
+	}
+	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.WatchList, true)()
+
+	firstPod := &example.Pod{}
+	nsPrefix := "foo"
+	ns := fmt.Sprintf("ns-%s", nsPrefix)
+	err := store.Create(ctx, computePodKey(initialPod(ns)), initialPod(ns), firstPod, 0)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v")
+
+	// add the pod to a different ns to advance the global RV
+	secondPod := &example.Pod{}
+	newNs := fmt.Sprintf("other-ns-%s", nsPrefix)
+	err = store.Create(ctx, computePodKey(initialPod(newNs)), initialPod(newNs), secondPod, 0)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add a pod: %v")
+
+	opts := storage.ListOptions{Predicate: storage.Everything, Recursive: true}
+	opts.SendInitialEvents = &trueVal
+	opts.Predicate.AllowWatchBookmarks = true
+
+	w, err := store.Watch(context.Background(), fmt.Sprintf("/pods/%s", ns), opts)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to create watch: %v")
+	defer w.Stop()
+
+	// make sure we only get initial events from the first ns
+	// followed by the bookmark with the global RV
+	testCheckResultsInStrictOrder(t, w, expectedInitialEventsInStrictOrder(firstPod, secondPod))
+	testCheckNoMoreResults(t, w)
+}
+
+func makePod(namespace, namePrefix string) *example.Pod {
+	return &example.Pod{
+		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+			Name:      fmt.Sprintf("pod-%s", namePrefix),
+			Namespace: namespace,
+		},
+	}
+}
+
 type testWatchStruct struct {
 	obj         *example.Pod
 	expectEvent bool