With the Pro Division getting ready to start its engines, the powers-that-be at the IFBB decided the Australia Pro was a good show to start cutting PDI's legs out from under them.
1. Ronnie Rockel - Sure Ronnie deserved to win, but he also deserved a top 5 at the NOC in 2003 and 2004 when he showed up in superior condition to this show and yet he placed 15th and 14th. He was a non-placer at last year's Olympia, also in better condition than he was here. So what's the real story? Well, if you've been reading ProDivisionBBing.com, you know that Rockel was one of the guys PDI had their sights on. With Rockel definitely leaning to PDI, the IFBB coincidentally decided to actually LOOK at Rockel and give him his dues. And not a second too early. Of course, now that Rockel got Punk'd into remaining with the IFBB by this meaningless win, you'll never see him in a real comparison again.
2. Lee Priest - Another guy contemplating ditching the IFBB, Lee is known as a guy who marches to the beat of his own drum. But as one of the more popular IFBB Pros, and one of the few white faces onstage, Lee is another guy the IFBB cannot afford to lose. They gave him a gift at the Ironman, excused him from the table at the Arnold, and now another gift in his homeland. The IFBB strategists and accountants have calculated that they've done just enough to keep Lee around for another year, even though he's already slotted for 11th at the Olympia. Pretty sneaky, sis.
3. Vince Taylor - Not a corrupt choice in same vein as above, but no way Vince beats the Golden Boy Branch Warren under identical circumstances at the Arnold or Olympia. With the IFBB Olympia sinking deeper and deeper underwater, they need bodies on stage and fans in the seats. Bringing Vince onboard fills both voids, even if we all know that Branch comes back to take 6th at the Olympia and Vince is 16th, regardless of their condition. Vince looked terrific, but was a shell of his former self in the leg region. I know he's only 47, but he needs to get out of that wheelchair and squat if he intends to bring home any more paychecks in the future.
4. Mustafa Mohammed - The writing is on the wall. This is one guy the IFBB would not mind seeing taking a hike. His legendary confrontation with Arnold was akin to blasphemy in this sport, and despite his consistent placings this season, the bottom line is that he's hated by enough higher-ups to never crack the elite regardless of his condition. I could spout the same things the judges say about his wide waist, odd quads, and conditioning, but it just doesn't matter. He can come in ripped as Munzer and he'll still wind up in no man's land. MuMo, welcome to PDI.
5. Branch Warren - Is the honeymoon over, or is it just that the honeymoon is taking place on a cruise ship and the groom just went overboard? The IFBB's Golden Boy has always relied on stellar conditioning to make up for his less than pleasing shape and symmetry. Without the conditioning, he's just another crappy third tier bodybuilder with Paul DeMayo legs and a Benny Podda upper half. Not that anything I say could make a difference to the suits. Branch is here to stay and if you don't believe me, watch him bring home some serious Olympia money come October. His placing here was like Tony Soprano making Christopher bury a body in the desert. Christopher will bitch and moan, but he'll do it and take it like man.
6. Francis Benfatto - I know what you're thinking...if they wanted Vince Taylor to be in the Olympia and bring his fans, why not bring Benfatto along? Well, aside from the fact that the only news Benfatto made all weekend was his internationally-publicized border drug bust, you're absolutely correct! You're catching on, Daniel-san. On the other hand, how many fans are going to follow the European has-been all the way to the dump that is the Orleans in Vegas, when two-star hotels like that are a dime a dozen in Paris. Au revoir Francis! Next time, make the girlfriend (er, boyfriend) be the mule!
I won't discuss anything below sixth place, not because of the controversy over Kris Dim's arms, but because who really cares?
Special "Vegemite" Ed
