depends, you cant get to for example emperor without knowing what you're doing.
Ranks are not be all end all but they do give you some info on the player level. Granted they are not save scummed.

If you cant get to a high rank, you most likely are not a good player. And if you can get a really high rank, you most likely are a good player.
Execptions included ofc. High being in this case above fujin etc. Below high blue ranks shit's a mess