SNX, The vast number of new, worthy, and unknown competitors that have been entering the USA these past couple of years could be one of the reasons for your comments as explained above.
When you have a large number of relatively new and unknown competitors, it's pretty damn difficult to accurately predict who will win and which contestants will battle it out for the victor's spot.
I don't know if it's been stated earlier but most fans, officials, and contenders feel that this USA event had the toughest lineup of all time.
That's debatable of course ..... but for many the above comment includes each and every wt class in this year's USA .... which could mean that next year there will be ensuing arguments about winning and loosing in 2013 when these 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place contenders return once again.
But it will be up to the writers and you GetBiggers to start the discussions that lead to the arguments that lead to the confrontations regarding who will win and who will lose... and who looks like shit and shouldn't be up "cause I can do it better!".
Those arguments and opinions are what make a bodybuilding contest interesting. Otherwise it's sort of like watching wall-paint dry ..... which is the main reason why these events are 'populated' by friends and family and a couple of you GetBig fans.
Even many of those who pay $50+ for a ticket end up talking to old friends in the lobby for the major part of the evening.
BTW, SNX, I agree with your comment entirely, but I'm trying to determine why it's so damn true.