alright, here ya go, my top 15 from the last 20 years. I tried to think of guys who were consistant and made an impact. I kinda lost some steam at the end cause I'm super busy right now. There are some guys who had fantastic individual showings but only held onto that for a short period of time..anyway, here's my list and a short explanation of why they are on the list:
Rich Gaspari-Awsome. From 86-89 he won a ton of shows and only lost to Haney and Labrada. No one ever did more with such a bad structure. Kinda fizzled out after the 90 olympia and had a failed comeback attempt in 94-95. I still have the 86 Pro World on tape off of ESPN and Rich is incredible there.
Mike Christian-Top 6 in the Olympia every year from 85-90. Won a ton of shows from 88-90. Awesome big guy, only problem was weak legs but his strong bodyparts were so strong they made you forget about his legs.
Lee Labrada-Best little man of all time IMO. No weak spots anywhere. Improved every year except 1990 where they “drug tested” the guys. Look for pics from the 88 grand prix where he traded off wins with Gaspari, awesome condition by both. Labrada could have won at least 1 olympia-1989 and maybe even 1990.
Gary Strydom-From the front nobody could really beat Gary while in his prime. Won a ton of shows between 87 and 90. and I won’t discount his WBF victory because he looked pretty awesome at the first show and didn’t fall off to much at the second even though it was “drug tested”. Some of the best pecs, shoulders, abs, quads, and calfs eveer. Would have been the best guy around if he had a back.
Vince Taylor-Only Ronnie has won more shows, maybe levrone but his recent comeback shows how awesome he is. Pretty much untouchable during the 92 pro circuit but blew it at the O. Awsome right from the get go.
Lee Haney-8 Time Mr. O. Enough said.
Dorain Yates-You can go back and forth for 400 pages about wether he sucks or not but the bottom line is he never placed lower than 2nd in any pro show and that was only twice as a pro. Set new standards and changed the way hundreds trained.
Robby Robinson-One of the greatest comebacks of all time. Best front double Bi maybe of all time, great side chest, great back. His body when he won the Niagra Falls por invitational was one of the best of the entire 80’s.
Kevin Levrone-great right from the get go, probably could have won a couple of olympia’s. Was outstanding at the 96 Arnold, very consistant career, only bump was the 97 Arnold when he came in like 8th but aside form that great in every show he entered.
Shawn Ray-Top 5 in what 12 Olympias? That alone gets him in. Showed a lot of improvement over the course of his career, great abs, brought his back up, only weak aree was his lats were not incredibly wide..but that’s nit picking.
Flex wheeler-1993 Arnold maybe the best physique of all-time. Great career cut short by faulty kidneys. Never liked his attitude but attitudes don’t really count in bb.
Ronnie Coleman-another 8 time mr. o. I don’t agree with all the decisions but he was incredible for his first few.
Jay Cutler-number 2 guy for years, won a bunch of Arnolds a bunch of grand prix’s and an Olympia.
Lee priest-Another great little guy. Very consistant. Besides Darrem Charles and Ronnie the only guy still competing from the very early 90’s. Very consistan career only strike is one bad showing at the Olympia a few years ago.
Mo Beniziza-too bad this guy took it that one step too far, he had as much potential as anybody when he was in shape. I would have loved to see him and Priest on stage together at their peaks.
