Current Shanks vs Prime Rayleigh

[SSJ2]

Who wins?

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Considering the difference between Prime and Old Whitebeard is that of Pirate King and Yonko tier, which isn't too great, I'd say Prime Rayleigh would just about be on Yonko tier, but inferior to any of the Yonko until feats or statements show otherwise.

 

[Symbiote]

I'll say Rayleigh since he has both arms.

 

[Big Ank]

Tough to say. We know that old Rayleigh managed to keep Kizaru from attacking the crew and that he seemed not satisfied with it, accusing his old age as the problem, which implies his prime self was more capable than simply stalemating Kizaru. I'd let this fight in a draw until we are given more info, as I think current Shanks' tier is a suitting placement for the strongest's wingman.

 

[SSJ2]

The way Garp talks about past Rayleigh, he implies that he was nearly as strong as Whitebeard - saying the Marines cannot handle both Legends. Garp has no idea that Rayleigh has weakened, yet he still considers challenging Rayleigh to require the same amount of attention as Whitebeard. Honestly I think Rayleigh wins.

 

[Big Ank]

But would someone's wingaman (Rayleigh) be on par with someone's dead-set rival (Whitebeard)? I'd like to see the Captain's rival being stronger than the second-handed man, as it's what generally happens in the Straw Hat crew -- the top villains Luffy fight against being stronger than Zoro. Garp's statement is kinda a general one imo. They might be two legends, but it still doesn't mean one doesn't excel more than the other. Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger are two legends as well, to put things in perspective.

 

[SSJ2]

On par with old Whitebeard.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

The way Garp talks about past Rayleigh, he implies that he was nearly as strong as Whitebeard - saying the Marines cannot handle both Legends. Garp has no idea that Rayleigh has weakened, yet he still considers challenging Rayleigh to require the same amount of attention as Whitebeard. Honestly I think Rayleigh wins.

The Marines already needed everything they could dish out to take on the Whitebeard Pirates though and even then, Akainu's trickery and Whitebeard's declining health were major factors in them not taking heavy casualties. Considering how easily WB was taking on Admirals before his health started to decline, even adding someone just above Admiral tier or just below Yonko tier would probably shift the scales.