It's plain and simple, it's called "Joe Weider's Mr. Olympia". He'd never allow a competitive mag to boast on it's cover that Team MD member wins the O. Especially after the insults thrown at him from Blechman. Look at the history of the winners.
Dex - Weider guy
Cutler - Weider guy
Coleman - Weider guy ( in this case it didn't matter, Coleman was a beast)
Yates - Weider guy
Haney - Weider guy
Even last year, FLEX boasted these dumb videos making the 2008 O out to be a two person contest between Jay and Dex. No matter how good any of the other guys looked, they already locked up the first and second spot.
This year there are three Weider guys competing for the top spot. Dex, Heath and Cuts.
In 2007 it was obvious that Victor won, but Weider would rather end the contest than allow Blechman to boast about his boy winning.
That's why guys like Gunter and Gustavo got gift placings in the past.
Be good to daddy and daddy will be good to you.
One problem with your analysis.
Haney won his last two Olympias, while working for MD and Twinlab. In fact, Twinlab marketed the "Lee Haney's Mass Fuel Kit", shortly after he joined their fold (I still have the videotape that came with the kit I got on clearance years ago).
Haney's winning his last two Olympias, working for a rival company and magazine (especially when doing so put him PAST ARNOLD), would make no sense if the "fix" were into play.
Ronnie won his first Olympia, as a member of Team MET-Rx. Weider signed him shortly afterward. Plus, runner-up, Flex Wheeler had left Weider prior to the 1998 Olympia. I believe he was with Bio-Chem. The highest placing bodybuilder, who worked for Weider was 3rd-placed Nasser El Sonbaty.