Ok folks, I have just watched the 93, 98, and 99 Olympias and will make an unbiased assesment here.
We will start with 1998. Ronnie was not dominant. Let me expand on that. From the rear, he was the best in the field, hands down. The front was a different story however. His quads were not as separated as we have seen at his best, and I feel his lower body overpowered his upper body as at 248lbs he had still not achieved his best weight. Now the real thing that really brought Ronnie down in my book was the gyno on his left nipple. It was very bad and completely ruined his front double bicep pose. In fact, in the top 6 posedown you see Cormier standing next to Ronnie both hitting front double bis. Chris definitely looked better. Now, I do have to give a little props to ND as I know he has said this many times. After watching the video, I am truly surprised they didn't go with Flex on name alone. He looked better than Ronnie from the front and was a little more separated. Ronnie dominated from the rear though like Yates, so I can't say this victory was any more controversial than any of Yates' wins. Also, Ronnie seemed very overawed in the final posedown. He kept following Flex around and seemed shocked to be that far. Also wanted to add, Hulkster always claims Ronnie was overlooked in 1998. As far as I could tell he was in the first call out with Nasser and Flex. Also, before the show it was obvious from the fans that the three favorites were Nasser Flex and Ronnie. Ronnie was anything but a darkhorse in 98.
Now, 1993. DRY. This is the best conditioning I have seen on the olympia stage. 257lbs rock solid. Yates' flaws however are lack of thigh separation, and overall shape. Still though, it is my opinion that 93 Yates beats 98 Coleman due to more size and better conditioning.
Finally, 1999. First words that came to my mouth seeing Coleman in prejudging: "oh my god"
Ronnie in 1999 put on 10lbs of muscle and did it in all the right places. His thighs were far more separated than 1998 and his taper was dramatically improved. I also feel his upper body caught up to his lower body and he looked completely balanced. His conditioning was also superior to 98. Whereas Cormier matched or exceeded Coleman from the front in 98 in my opinion, Ronnie just completely destroyed him in the prejudging. Flex was never in the picture. 1999 Ronnie Coleman seen at the Olympia was the greatest physique ever seen in the IFBB. He equalled Yates' size, yet his shape just blows Yates' away. He also came in very close to Yates' 93 condition. Not quite as dry, but looking fuller and more striated. Yates had a more depleted look to him (If you check his words, he said he sacrificed to much muscle for improved condition in 93).