If Rayleigh was so strong, Why did Roger and the WB pirates fight equally?
Idk because it wasn't an actual fight, but a looting competition otherwise a fight where Prime Rayleigh has gone all out, that dingy little town would be wiped off the surface. One of the the main reason why Kizaru and Rayleigh were both holding off was because of the concern that entire Sabaody would be destroyed.
Oda said Old and Rusty Rayleigh's conqueror's Haki is strong enough to make 1 million fishman (With each fishman being 10 times as strong as regular human) pass out at least. Why did we not see lines after lines of bodies in Whitebeard pirates lying down, again because as you assume Prime fucking Rayleigh has gone all out? Whitebeard even had no named fodders, why weren't they lying on the floor?
You think Rayleigh used penetration Haki, an almost a certain kill shot? You think Rayleigh was going in for kills?
You think he also used his God tier observation Haki which has Island level worth of range even in his old and rusty state, and strong enough to fight a light speed opponent in close quarters?
Do you think Rayleigh was using all of his swordsmanship? If so why did we not see that small little Island cut in half when Old and Rusty Rayleigh without even trying can draw a massive line in the Island and casual, extremely casual Mihawk can cut an Island sized Wave of Ice. Surely prime Rayleigh going all out can at least cut a small Island in half?
The answer to all these questions is
NO PRIME RAYLEIGH DID NOT GO ALL OUT
Then this begs another question,
Whitebeard Pirates used to "fight" equally with Roger Pirates before Oden joined
Whitebeard pirates "fought" equally with Roger pirates after Oden joined.
Does it mean Oden, someone who is roughly as strong as Kaido was a non factor or was Rayleigh holding back a lot when Roger was not there?
If Rayleigh was holding back a lot when Oden was not there, what makes you think he wasn't holding back when Oden was there?
Try to use your brain a little and understand that flash back was off paneled for a reason, it is not to be used for power scaling let alone to go against ESTABLISHED ON PANEL Godly Hype, Godly Portrayal and insane feats from Old and Rusty Rayleigh.
Old Rayleigh is around Yonkou level, as strong as current Shanks
Prime Rayleigh is roughly as strong as Gol D Roger.
Now if you have some actual arguments lmk.