World Bodybuilding Federation (WBF) Bodystars - The Great Squat-Off

[MCWAY]

I missed this episode, as much as I tried to record them when it came on TV back in 1992.

This has a leg-training segment with Eddie Robinson, a chest routine with Mike Christian, the 1991 posing footage of "The Future" Jim Quinn, and the bit "Squat-Off" between Tom Platz and Dr. Fred Hatfield at FIBO 1992.

As a bonus, the matchup that never was: Lou Ferrigno's WBF promo on WWF Prime Time Wrestling.

[Kwon]

I missed this episode, as much as I tried to record them when it came on TV back in 1992.

This has a leg-training segment with Eddie Robinson, a chest routine with Mike Christian, the 1991 posing footage of "The Future" Jim Quinn, and the bit "Squat-Off" between Tom Platz and Dr. Fred Hatfield at FIBO 1992.

As a bonus, the matchup that never was: Lou Ferrigno's WBF promo on WWF Prime Time Wrestling.

Lou was HUGE back then!

[MCWAY]

He predicted he'd compete at 290 cut. He did but at the Mr. Olympia 1992, after bailing from the WBF....right around the time they started drug-testing.

[MCWAY]

Dr. Squat got 860 for a single rep, while Platz "The Golden Eagle" hit 500 for 23 reps.

[El Diablo Blanco]

Nice snatch shot of the girl rowing the boat.

[Humble Narcissist]

He predicted he'd compete at 290 cut. He did but at the Mr. Olympia 1992, after bailing from the WBF....right around the time they started drug-testing.

They all went to shit when the testing started.  Remember Mike Quinn?  He looked like a fat Italian pizza shop owner who shaved his body hair and went up on stage.  McMahon picked the worst time in his professional life to start a bodybuilding organization with the Feds on him.  At another time he may have been successful.

[oldschoolfan]

the real shit kicker is, vince, actually paid them guys decent money, something joe weider would never do.   

[MCWAY]

They all went to shit when the testing started.  Remember Mike Quinn?  He looked like a fat Italian pizza shop owner who shaved his body hair and went up on stage.  McMahon picked the worst time in his professional life to start a bodybuilding organization with the Feds on him.  At another time he may have been successful.

I don't think he started the WBF after the feds investigated him. Baker actually looked bigger. Pearson looked about the same. Jim Quinn and Gary Stardom were smaller but still great looking.

But, boy did Mike Christian take a beating. Then again, he was strung out on crack. And he got fined $25,000 for popping on a drug test.

the real shit kicker is, vince, actually paid them guys decent money, something joe weider would never do.   

According to Bret "the Hitman" Hart, some of the WBF guys made more than wrestlers did.

[Fortress]

Lou-ser Ferrigno is so hugely unlikeable.

I’ve dealt with the man, in person and on the phone, as well as witnessing first-hand him interacting with others, and he is NOT a nice guy.

The WBF made a mockery of bodybuilding. However, I do believe Vince M. meant well.

As said, the buffoonery that is the second WBF Championship is major.

Quinn indeed looked beyond dreadful.

Strydom, though, was incredible. IF Lou-ser had stood next to him onstage, Hulk would have been smacked down in a scene reminiscent of his Pumping Iron days.

[Royalty]

Lou-ser Ferrigno is so hugely unlikeable.

I’ve dealt with the man, in person and on the phone, as well as witnessing first-hand him interacting with others, and he is NOT a nice guy.

The WBF made a mockery of bodybuilding. However, I do believe Vince M. meant well.

As said, the buffoonery that is the second WBF Championship is major.

Quinn indeed looked beyond dreadful.

Strydom, though, was incredible. IF Lou-ser had stood next to him onstage, Hulk would have been smacked down in a scene reminiscent of his Pumping Iron days.

Fortress, how do you think Yates vs Strydom in 1991/1992 would’ve played out?

[MCWAY]

Lou-ser Ferrigno is so hugely unlikeable.

I’ve dealt with the man, in person and on the phone, as well as witnessing first-hand him interacting with others, and he is NOT a nice guy.

The WBF made a mockery of bodybuilding. However, I do believe Vince M. meant well.

As said, the buffoonery that is the second WBF Championship is major.

What about the first championship? To me, it blew the 1991 Olympia out the water.

The WBF seemed to be rolling after that. Then, Ferrigno gets signed shortly after he finished "Death of The Incredible Hulk".

WBF guys were on Superstars and Wrestling Challenge nearly every week; they popped up on "Regis and Kathie Lee"; and it looked as if McMahon was on the fast track to mainstreaming pro bodybuilding.

Quinn indeed looked beyond dreadful.

Strydom, though, was incredible. IF Lou-ser had stood next to him onstage, Hulk would have been smacked down in a scene reminiscent of his Pumping Iron days.

Had the IFBB had Dipasquale's protocols, the Olympia might have been full of Mike Quinns.

As for Ferrigno, Jim Quinn would have given him a run for his money.

[Humble Narcissist]

I don't think he started the WBF after the feds investigated him. Baker actually looked bigger. Pearson looked about the same. Jim Quinn and Gary Stardom were smaller but still great looking.

But, boy did Mike Christian take a beating. Then again, he was strung out on crack. And he got fined $25,000 for popping on a drug test.

According to Bret "the Hitman" Hart, some of the WBF guys made more than wrestlers did.

12 days after the first WBF contest Dr. Zahorian was convicted of selling steroids to wrestlers, bodybuilders and Vince McMahon so this definitely hurt.
https://barbend.com/world-bodybuilding-federation/

[MCWAY]

12 days after the first WBF contest Dr. Zahorian was convicted of selling steroids to wrestlers, bodybuilders and Vince McMahon so this definitely hurt.
https://barbend.com/world-bodybuilding-federation/

It sounds as if this guy got popped for something else and fingered McMahon and the WWF to save his hide (or get a reduced sentence).

From what I remember (and via statements from people like Bret Hart), the feds were all in the WWF's business after this. It was the wrestlers who put up the big stink about the WBF guys. If they were being tested, no way were they letting the bodybuilders go unscathed.

Back to the squat off, even though Platz put up some decent numbers under the bar, we didn't get to see his physique. I remember reading WBF magazine with Platz, assuring his fans that just because he was the talent development guy didn't mean he wasn't still pounding the iron.

[Fortress]

Fortress, how do you think Yates vs Strydom in 1991/1992 would’ve played out?

It would have been close, but ultimately Dorian had the hairdo.

Oh, and the better back.

[Humble Narcissist]

It sounds as if this guy got popped for something else and fingered McMahon and the WWF to save his hide (or get a reduced sentence).

From what I remember (and via statements from people like Bret Hart), the feds were all in the WWF's business after this. It was the wrestlers who put up the big stink about the WBF guys. If they were being tested, no way were they letting the bodybuilders go unscathed.

Back to the squat off, even though Platz put up some decent numbers under the bar, we didn't get to see his physique. I remember reading WBF magazine with Platz, assuring his fans that just because he was the talent development guy didn't mean he wasn't still pounding the iron.

The 2nd contest for the WBF was a disaster and killed the organization because of steroid testing.

[LurkerNoMore]

I missed this episode, as much as I tried to record them when it came on TV back in 1992.

This has a leg-training segment with Eddie Robinson, a chest routine with Mike Christian, the 1991 posing footage of "The Future" Jim Quinn, and the bit "Squat-Off" between Tom Platz and Dr. Fred Hatfield at FIBO 1992.

As a bonus, the matchup that never was: Lou Ferrigno's WBF promo on WWF Prime Time Wrestling.

Man, I remember those Soloflex ads from way back when.   

Those shirts that Vince and Luger are wearing make them look like they those saggy-far granny arms.

Jim Quinn was actually really decent.  He should have done better but due to the WBF guys being penalized by IFBB after it closed, we will never know.  I would think he could have really put on more mass like today's standards require.  He could have been a forerunner to Ruhl.  Nothing he can do about that waist anyway so...

[LurkerNoMore]

It sounds as if this guy got popped for something else and fingered McMahon and the WWF to save his hide (or get a reduced sentence).

From what I remember (and via statements from people like Bret Hart), the feds were all in the WWF's business after this. It was the wrestlers who put up the big stink about the WBF guys. If they were being tested, no way were they letting the bodybuilders go unscathed.

Back to the squat off, even though Platz put up some decent numbers under the bar, we didn't get to see his physique. I remember reading WBF magazine with Platz, assuring his fans that just because he was the talent development guy didn't mean he wasn't still pounding the iron.

If memory serves me right, he had been selling drugs to wrestlers for a long time.  But got greedy and started selling to bodybuilders as well.  An undercover informant who was busted for drugs helped the cops gather evidence against him with a lot of references to the wrestlers and then that branched off into the WWF for an investigation as well undercover initially.  The doctor gave testimony of how Vince and the wrestlers were openly seeing him backstage and getting drugs.  This is what I remember reading from various wrestling books and such.

[MCWAY]

Man, I remember those Soloflex ads from way back when.   

Those shirts that Vince and Luger are wearing make them look like they those saggy-far granny arms.

Jim Quinn was actually really decent.  He should have done better but due to the WBF guys being penalized by IFBB after it closed, we will never know.  I would think he could have really put on more mass like today's standards require.  He could have been a forerunner to Ruhl.  Nothing he can do about that waist anyway so...

Soloflex was supposed to be the end-all be-all, to replace weights, especially if you had a small apartment. However, pumping rubber doesn't quite have the same kick to it.

Quinn really made a name for himself in the WBF; he placed 2nd at the 1992 (and final) WBF championship.

Another guy who many think got hosed after returning to the IFBB was the WBF's first signee, "The Flexing Dutchman" Berry Demey I don't know why he thinks he looked his best in 1988 at the Olympia (where he placed 3rd). He looks like a chicken, compared to his 1991 WBF form. Here he is at absolute best in my view at the 1991 Championship (where he also placed 3rd).

[MCWAY]

If memory serves me right, he had been selling drugs to wrestlers for a long time.  But got greedy and started selling to bodybuilders as well.  An undercover informant who was busted for drugs helped the cops gather evidence against him with a lot of references to the wrestlers and then that branched off into the WWF for an investigation as well undercover initially.  The doctor gave testimony of how Vince and the wrestlers were openly seeing him backstage and getting drugs.  This is what I remember reading from various wrestling books and such.

That's a little strange. Notwithstanding the bodybuilders who became wrestlers, one would think it would be the other way around, getting greedy and selling to WRESTLERS. Bodybuilding is small potatoes, compared to wrestling. If you're looking for the ultimate BUSH to take somebody down, Vince McMahon is a much bigger fish than Joe Weider.

BTW, here's one of my favorites when he was both in the IFBB and WBF, and my pick to win it all back in 1991 (A Florida boy, too): Eddie Robinson (5th Place, 1991....and the only one of the top 5 under 6 feet tall, for some reason).