Does Jay's win take away the current excitement of bodybuilding?

[technokc]

I am definetly happy for Jay, but I feel like after this O bodybuilding probably lost a lot of its current momentum.  I mean this was supposed to be the year we had the changing of the guard so to speak.  Instead most of the young guys were a big letdown.  Heath in 5th, Wolf not even placing, Kai not as crisp as the Arnold.

If, and thats a big if, Jay comes in looking like this again next year what will the plot lines be?  Im sure Heath, Kai, and Wolf will get it together, but it does seem like a step backward.

[240 is Back]

it's not a terible storyline.

howeve, branch knocking off Jay would have delivered a lot more buzz for 09

[Rearden Metal]

it's not a terible storyline.

howeve, branch knocking off Jay would have delivered a lot more buzz for 09

Branch looked insane....in his poses. But in motion and standing there, Jay absolutely decimates him. It's so far from realistic that Branch could beat Jay that I can't even comprehend it happening. I pretty much think 2nd was a gift for him based on the 3 below him being nowhere near their respective bests.

OP, we haven't seen this much excitement regarding a man in thongs since the 03 Ronnie showing (precluding the Nassoil Nuthuggers). So I don't think it's bad at all. It's actually really redeeming and shows that hard work trumps any other factor in bb'ing. It's evident Jay put everything into his prep and the results speak for themselves.

[MCWAY]

I am definetly happy for Jay, but I feel like after this O bodybuilding probably lost a lot of its current momentum.  I mean this was supposed to be the year we had the changing of the guard so to speak.  Instead most of the young guys were a big letdown.  Heath in 5th, Wolf not even placing, Kai not as crisp as the Arnold.

If, and thats a big if, Jay comes in looking like this again next year what will the plot lines be?  Im sure Heath, Kai, and Wolf will get it together, but it does seem like a step backward.

2008 has nothing to do with any "changing of the guard". As has been mentioned multiple times, Cutler came in smooth last year; Jackson capitalized and beat him to become Mr. Olympia.

To put it in football terms, think of the Arizona Cardinals-Carolina Panthers playoff game. The Panthers were clearly the better-equipped and more balanced team.

But, I don't care how much better your team is on paper. You cough up the ball 6 times and you're going to get beat down (5 INTs and a fumble by the Panthers, resulting in the Cardinals whipping their behinds and eliminating them from the post-season).

Substitute Jackson for the AZ Cardinals, Cutler for the CAR Panthers, and Cutler's coming in waterlogged for the Panthers' multiple turnovers; and there you have it.

[Chick]

2008 has nothing to do with any "changing of the guard". As has been mentioned multiple times, Cutler came in smooth last year; Jackson capitalized and beat him to become Mr. Olympia.

To put it in football terms, think of the Arizona Cardinals-Carolina Panthers playoff game. The Panthers were clearly the better-equipped and more balanced team.

But, I don't care how much better your team is on paper. You cough up the ball 6 times and you're going to get beat down (5 INTs and a fumble by the Panthers, resulting in the Cardinals whipping their behinds and eliminating them from the post-season).

Substitute Jackson for the AZ Cardinals, Cutler for the CAR Panthers, and Cutler's coming in waterlogged for the Panthers' multiple turnovers; and there you have it.

Well said and a good analogy...I'm not sure where these guys think there is any "changing of the guard", like some new "look" will suddenly be winning one.

[Petrucci]

i dont get it...you seem to agree Jay was the best, so why he cant win, just because it will put the 'new' guys down?

the best one should win...i dont even like Jay but he was the best for the comparisons i could see

[MCWAY]

Well said and a good analogy...I'm not sure where these guys think there is any "changing of the guard", like some new "look" will suddenly be winning one.

EXACTLY!!! All we kept hearing around this time a year ago was that the Mr. Olympia needs to be more aesthetic to be more appealing, that it's not just about size. It's about shape, proportion, lines, etc.

But, once Dex beat Jay for that title, some of the same folks started whining about Dex being too "small", looking like a "swimmer", and other stupid mess.

Now, that Jay has regained the title, we have yet MORE complaints.....GOOD GRIEF!!!

Remember one thing, regarding "excitement". Prior to 2006, it had been 22 YEARS since someone won the Olympia by defeating the defending champion (Haney def. Bannout).

Now, we've seen it happen three times in four years: Cutler def. Coleman (2006); Jackson def. Cutler (2008); and Cutler def. Jackson (2009).

[njflex]

the MRO since lee haney won in 84 till 08 when dex won and kinda changed it for a yr, was always about the biggest,hardest,bber on stage that night.haney,yates,coleman,cutler,brought the standards up for all bbers of all sizes to bring there best to dethrone them,and other than say ray ,labrada,dex,almost all the runnerups and top 3 all chased there own size increases to try to catchup whether it was wheeler,kev,nasser,gaspari,ect...

[Method101]

[MCWAY]

the MRO since lee haney won in 84 till 08 when dex won and kinda changed it for a yr, was always about the biggest,hardest,bber on stage that night.haney,yates,coleman,cutler,brought the standards up for all bbers of all sizes to bring there best to dethrone them,and other than say ray ,labrada,dex,almost all the runnerups and top 3 all chased there own size increases to try to catchup whether it was wheeler,kev,nasser,gaspari,ect...

I don't see how that changed with Dexter Jackson's win last year. Jay was big but he was smooth. Dex had the best combination of size, conditioning, and proportion. That's why he won.

[Blockhead]

Branch looked insane....in his poses. But in motion and standing there, Jay absolutely decimates him. It's so far from realistic that Branch could beat Jay that I can't even comprehend it happening. I pretty much think 2nd was a gift for him based on the 3 below him being nowhere near their respective bests.

OP, we haven't seen this much excitement regarding a man in thongs since the 03 Ronnie showing (precluding the Nassoil Nuthuggers). So I don't think it's bad at all. It's actually really redeeming and shows that hard work trumps any other factor in bb'ing. It's evident Jay put everything into his prep and the results speak for themselves.

Good post.  I guess we all underestimated how powerful Lee Thompson is in the IFBB.


I still think Getbiggers, the guardians of truth and justice in the bodybuilding industry, got themselves in a frenzy seeing Jay because he had a few striations in his legs and a visible vein in his arm.

 The truth is that Jay SHOULD be looking like that regardless.

 The biggest injustice of the Olympia was Branch placing 2nd over a Dexer or Phil. Branch's name should never even be in the same sentence of their names. He may have lots of muscle but so does Markus. Branch got a gift, probably from the texasbubba as he just very well may be set to take over the IFBB.



 - Block!

[dantelis]

I am definetly happy for Jay, but I feel like after this O bodybuilding probably lost a lot of its current momentum.  I mean this was supposed to be the year we had the changing of the guard so to speak.  Instead most of the young guys were a big letdown.  Heath in 5th, Wolf not even placing, Kai not as crisp as the Arnold.

If, and thats a big if, Jay comes in looking like this again next year what will the plot lines be?  Im sure Heath, Kai, and Wolf will get it together, but it does seem like a step backward.

Story line is Jay gets bumped off again to be the first reigning Mr. Olympia to lose the title twice.  I'd be surprised if Jay competes next year.  I think he'll retire and move on.  (Still, if his real estate business isn't going well in Vegas, he may have to hold on and continue bodybuilding several more years to make a living.)

[erics]

The judges obviously rewarded those who had improved their physiques. If Dexter had been totally sliced and had brought up his calves and rib cage (he looks so flat at times) then whoever won between Jay and Dexter would be a more accurate indicator of a 'change in guard'.

As it stands, Jay was on the money and Dexter hadn't changed and so Jay wins. As long as the judges reward improvement and carry that juding over to not being afraid to have the defending champ lose, then the sport will be remain exciting. But if they only reward improvements up to second place and leave first place as sacrosanct then you are going to have legitimacy issues.

[Hypo]

Good post.  I guess we all underestimated how powerful Lee Thompson is in the IFBB.


I still think Getbiggers, the guardians of truth and justice in the bodybuilding industry, got themselves in a frenzy seeing Jay because he had a few striations in his legs and a visible vein in his arm.

 The truth is that Jay SHOULD be looking like that regardless.

 The biggest injustice of the Olympia was Branch placing 2nd over a Dexer or Phil. Branch's name should never even be in the same sentence of their names. He may have lots of muscle but so does Markus. Branch got a gift, probably from the texasbubba as he just very well may be set to take over the IFBB.



 - Block!

I can agree with you on Branch. I thought Dex was 2nd. But if you see the scorecard, it was close between 2nd-5th. At least the right person won. Jay Cutler with his tendency to have a blocky frame has always needed to come in 01/09 form.

[Blockhead]

I am definetly happy for Jay, but I feel like after this O bodybuilding probably lost a lot of its current momentum.  I mean this was supposed to be the year we had the changing of the guard so to speak.  Instead most of the young guys were a big letdown.  Heath in 5th, Wolf not even placing, Kai not as crisp as the Arnold.

If, and thats a big if, Jay comes in looking like this again next year what will the plot lines be?  Im sure Heath, Kai, and Wolf will get it together, but it does seem like a step backward.

The excitment is still current as long as he keeps his mouth closed and never speaks.




 - Block!

[Danimal77]

The judges obviously rewarded those who had improved their physiques. If Dexter had been totally sliced and had brought up his calves and rib cage (he looks so flat at times) then whoever won between Jay and Dexter would be a more accurate indicator of a 'change in guard'.

As it stands, Jay was on the money and Dexter hadn't changed and so Jay wins. As long as the judges reward improvement and carry that juding over to not being afraid to have the defending champ lose, then the sport will be remain exciting. But if they only reward improvements up to second place and leave first place as sacrosanct then you are going to have legitimacy issues.

Smart post.

[technokc]

Well said and a good analogy...I'm not sure where these guys think there is any "changing of the guard", like some new "look" will suddenly be winning one.

You guys got me wrong a little bit on what I am thinking.  What I mean by lack of excitement is now we could be back to the more predictable win at the Olympia.  If jay had been off and heath, kai, and wolf on we could have had anyone of those guys win.  With Jay getting his form back it is once again the reigning Mr. O's title to lose.  If he comes in next year looking like this or even a bit better can anyone really see him losing?

It could be like all those years in wich we knew Ronnie would win and people were more excited for second place.  All Im saying is that if Jay had been off we would be much more ucertain about next years O regardless of who would have won just because the new guys are so comparable to each other, none of them dominating the other.

[erics]

It makes no real difference because clearly Jay won the title back because he was in shape.

The excitement, I imagine, comes from the fact that if you are on form, you are considered. When you look at the top six, only Jay and Branch were at their best and that is why they were rewarded.

As long as people come in shape, then it will always be exciting. If net year, Dexter brings it on and is truly sliced and diced when he steps on stage and Jay isn't, then Dexter will probably win.

Not withstanding physique type, as long as they are in shape, well, that is what counts.

[MB]

As much as this was billed as the most competitive Olympia ever, the truth is that if Jay comes like this every year, he can have the title for a long time.  Dexter, Phil, & Branch are too small to ever challenge Jay in this condition.  Victor and Kai may have a chance, but they'd have to bring something we've never seen before.   

[Palpatine Q]

I am definetly happy for Jay, but I feel like after this O bodybuilding probably lost a lot of its current momentum.  I mean this was supposed to be the year we had the changing of the guard so to speak.  Instead most of the young guys were a big letdown.  Heath in 5th, Wolf not even placing, Kai not as crisp as the Arnold.

If, and thats a big if, Jay comes in looking like this again next year what will the plot lines be?  Im sure Heath, Kai, and Wolf will get it together, but it does seem like a step backward.

Kai is older than Jay.......that guy has been kicking around forever, he just recently got retardedly big.

[MCWAY]

I think Jay brought it back hard and showed what Mr. Olympia is all about. How can anyone take anything away from him? Second to King Ron how many times? You cannot blame him on his second O win. Jay took advantage of the spotlight and made his money$. The higher powers that be allowed him to take 07. Who is this Dex guy? Picture ourselves ten years from now and still following the sport. Where does Dexter Jackson fit in? Congrats on the big win. Historic. Jay beat King Ron. Dex beat Cutler. My bet Dex will be 5th place at best next year.

Bodybuilding history will remember who won the title and Dexter Jackson is among those that did.

With the constant of Jackson being "the Blade", the equation is simple:

If Jay comes in shape, he beats Dexter; If he doesn't, Dexter beats him (see 2003 GNC and 2008 Olympia).

Dexter said it himself in that interview from FLEX with him and Jay. He can't beat Jay Cutler, UNLESS Culter is off (which he was last year).