The weakest link determines how hard you can pull on the fish. Usually, that is the tippet. If it isn't, then you're not set up correctly.

When the tippet is your weakest link, the rod is a shock absorber, not a hauler. Two five weights, one glass and one super-fast graphite will both be able to land all of the same fish in the same amount of time, if used properly. For that matter, as long as your tippet is the weak link, any two rods will be able to bring fish to hand in the same amount of time, provided you know how to use the shock absorber in your hand.