If aatrox had came out as a new champion instead of a rework

It would've been applauded by the vast majority of the playerbase no doubt. I think the only people that have a real contention with the rework are some of the old mains.

I for one think it's a well made champion who has reliability in his passive with his highs being unreliable in his q, but the rest of his kit giving him avenue to make sure he can land his q.

In the bigger scheme of things I think aatrox is a lowkey success. He isn't just buying guinsoos and running down teams like a semi melee kogmaw anymore. And his old mains who claim that somehow his W was "muh skill in picking which stance" are either biased or stupid.

to be honest, the only thing I have a contention with is the model. It's not better than the old one, and I've noticed some quirks, like when you laugh aatrox doesn't open his mouth at all, even though champions years older than him do.