that was semi-understandable, but this was 2 or three years after the hulk. and this is back when the Olympia meant something. now they have what, 11 Olympia champions every year???
he could have been the sixth or seventh winner ever.
Maybe becoming a "moviestar" in italian Hercules-movies sounded more of an attractive choice to him then?
Don't forget he did those legendary movies "Seven Gladiators" , "Hercules" and "Hercules II" after Hulk, that will always be remembered where he got to play against Sybil Danning (who hated Lou after playing against him).
He wanted to create this epic cinematic legacy where he was fighting bears and beasts from greek mythology.
Clearly "Desert Warrior" was a more attractive choice than being Mr O.
Epic scene at 59:13