Since the topic where this post originated has been closed, I reiterate, Jaded Memory, where did it say that everyone said Aizen reached the pinnacle of Shingami powers?
As for Aizen and Ichigo not being so strong.
Ichigo Vs. Renji - Got his ass kicked and Renji was going to deliver the final blow when Ichigo miraculously pulled out an attack that broke Zabimaru. Ichigo would've died but Hollow Ichigo's mask absorbed the majority of the damage.
Ichigo Vs. Kenpachi - Again, Kenpachi killed him(some say he didn't but based on the fact its said in a translation, and in another, its his reiatsu that ceased, which only happens when he dies as he cannot control his reiatsu, which is why he couldn't hide his location from Uryu when they first met and he thought he was at maximum all the time). Kenpachi never fought at full strength, even after he took his eyepatch off as he was weakened from blood loss and he didn't use Kendo and took his eyepatch off when they first met. Again, Hollow Ichigo's mask absorbed the attacks from Kenpachi so he didn't die.
Ichigo Vs. Byakuya - Byakuya had a cut on his hand when he was delivering the final blow before Hollow Ichigo saved him and in the end, Ichigo couldn't even stand without leaning on his sword.
Ichigo Vs. Grimmjow - Grimmjow laughed a Ichigo's Getsuga. Grimmjow shattered Ichigo's mask and was going to deliver the final blow when Ichigo, who was breathing heavily, did an asspull and miraculously came out the winner.
Ichigo vs. Nnoitora - Couldn't do anything but that was because he was so exhausted from Grimmjow.
Ichigo Vs. Ulquiorra - Defeated with ease only to be revived by Orihime and then he got a hole in his chest before Hollow Ichigo took over and dominated Ulquiorra.
Aizen Vs. Hitsugaya - Hitsugaya stabbs Aizen, only for it to be an illusion and Aizen stands behind him as he falls to the ground from the sneak attack.
Aizen Vs. Komamura - Same as Hitsugaya, except instead of a stab, he tries to use Bankai and Aizen uses Hado 90 as he was looking at the illusion. Otherwise, he could've dodged it as Hado 90 has a small range.
Aizen Vs. Ichigo - Ichigo was so weak from his fight with Byakuya and Aizen stopped his Bankai, which increases his speed, with a finger.
Aizen Vs. Captains and Visoreds - Aizen took out a half dead Komamura, Lisa & Love?, but it was revealed to be Momo who looked like Aizen due to his hypnosis. Aizen was on the ground the whole time with the Lieutenants and takes them out. Hitsugaya loses it and charges in, along with Shinji, Soifon & Kyoraku who are all severely weakened, but Aizen just dodges and slashes them and they fall.
Aizen Vs. Yama - Aizen used WW to seal Yama's Zanpakuto cause he couldn't overcome that power(admits it too). Yama uses Hado 96 and Aizen runs away and emerges from some smoke and is wounded by Ichigo, only for the Hogyoku to heal him.
Aizen Vs. Isshin - Isshin, who is rusty at being a Shinigami and not using Shikai of Bankai, pushed Aizen to the very limit of his Shingami powers(Aizen says so), before the Hogyoku transforms him. Even transformed, Aizen didn't kill him, only blew him away, along with Kisuke and Yoruichi, using the Hogyoku's power.
Aizen Vs. Gin - Gin uses Bankai and stabs him and his body fades away, but the Hogyoku regenerates him and teleports him to Gin, where he slashes and rips his arm off.
Can you see where I'm seeing things from? In each instance for Ichigo, he gets his ass kicked and either does an asspull or Hollow Ichigo/Zangetsu steps in to save him. Or Kenpachi and Byakuya. For Aizen, its illusions, weakened opponents and Hogyoku that leaves him standing. Final Aizen and Final Ichigo is the only fight where no illusions are used and Ichigo isn't weakened and Ichigo doesn't do an asspull and need saving.
Do we fight in order to gain more power, or do we gain more power in order to fight? - Kenpachi Zaraki, the Captain of Squad Eleven