Who the hell actually attends these shows? No one interesting, they all look like crap, tier 2/3 pros
The second pic, another pic to show the regression of the sport, isn't a smart comparison because Ruhl was full of 'enhancements' as well. It's why his biceps popped like that

The competitors aren't fatter today, they're much leaner in fact, it's not why they appear smoother. They have more detail at least in several body parts today as well, but the physique is 'crowded' due to the extra size so it may appear as though there's little detail and less separation between parts. The waist comparison may not be a fair comparison either because Buchanan's waist was really unique even back then. At the same time I'm not arguing the guys look better now, I see why fans think that.
Regarding being lean, Lee Priest used to say it shouldn't be a dieting contest. His ass was never striated; probably why he said that. But perhaps being extra lean isn't actually helping aesthetics?