Whenever a leading contender gets 8th in an IFBB contest you can be sure that is the booby prize. Bev Francis got 8th in 83 when clearly the best on stage. Ben and Oscar placed her low because her physique was too much and bad for the sport. Sergio placed 8th, too, at an Olympia.
I suppose the only explanation is that Rusty's lifestyle caused him to be placed down. He wasn't even compared to Bob in the finals. Sort of like what happened to Wolf in the last Olympia.
You have to hand it to the IFBB. They control things right down to the final placings. The guys who placed above Rusty won't protest. That is why all this crap is tolerated year after year.
You won't hear Bob complain nor why should he. He has the title and trophy. End of story.