Didn't read, but I know the reason. People can absolutely build an 80's type physique today.
The problem is, that having an 80's physique won't even guarantee a pro card these days.
The competitors are just trying to give the judges what they think they want to see.
I think they should implement even more weight classes now.
200, 225, 250, 250+ Then you can objectively judge the bodybuilders based on structure and conditioning.
The problem is in the comparisons.
Wrong. Even the competitors of today weighing in at 200, or 250 pounds ALL LOOK THE SAME. Bloated, no real vascularity, hardness, chiseled muscles, density, etc. Back in the 1980's (as early as 1980), there were guys competing at 160-190 pounds (Mohamed Makkawy, Samir Bannout, Danny Padilla, Chris Dickerson, Frank Zane, Lee Labrada, etc) and guys competing at 230-250 pounds (Mike Christian, Lee Haney, Jusup Wilkosz, Dennis Tinerino, Berry Demay, Bob Paris, Matt Mendenhall, Gary Strydom, Rory Leidelmeyer, Bertil Fox, Casey Viator, etc). ALL of which had all of those qualities that I mentioned.
Regardless of the weight class today's competitors come in at, they will NOT have the same quality physique as guys did from the 1970's through the 1990's). The training methods have changed (people have gotten lazy) and the drugs are out of control. Most importantly, there sadly is NO demand from the judges for that type of physique, a la Lee Haney, Kevin Levrone, Bob Paris, or Frank Zane, Shawn Ray, Robby Robinson, Chris Cormier, etc.