You see, here you go again giving your opinion that Ronnie is this incredible combo of size&shape, and thus, that he took the sport to a new level. It is simply your preference that Ronnie was amazing as the first 250 lbs bodybuilder possesed as wha you perceive to be great shape.
Again, shape is not an obective criteria, like muscularity and symmetry, so it is only your opinion that Ronnie took it to a new level in 1999. Actually, Ronnie's taper was far less dramatic in 1999 than it was in the previous year, and he already had some gut distension, so what level is this you're talking about? As for the 1998 Ronnie, he did have an incredible taper for his size, but he was by no means the ultimate when it comes to this combination. Arnold came in at 237 lbs for the 1974 Olympia, only 12 lbs less than Ronnie weighed in 1998, and his waist was so tiny that he could do a vacuum pose without even trying! To me, that's a more impressive combination of size and taper than that of the 1998 Ronnie.
As for the 1999 Ronnie, you can't claim that he took the sport to a new level by any criteria. His taper was pretty bad that year, and his gut already had some distension. As for muscularity, sorry, sport, but Dorian took that to a new level six years before that, when he stepped onstage weighting the same Ronnie did in 1999, and with even harder muscles! Symmetry? The 1999 Ronnie was no paradigm of symmetry, having small calves, abdominal distension, small forearms, huge biceps and a huge ass. That's not good symmetry. So how did Ronnie take the sport to a new level that year? Answer: he didn't.
1998 - I can accept your opinion that Ronnie took it to a new level that year, by coming around 250 lbs with a tiny waist. However, it must be noted that Arnold and Sergio were almost as big two decades before that, and with even tinier waists! Yet, as far as muscularity and symmetry are concerned, Ronnie certainly did not take the sport to a new level in 1998: he had glaring symmetrical weaknesses, and several bodybuilders had stepped onstage with far greater muscularity than that before.
1999 - At 257 lbs, Ronnie was less muscular than Dorian at a similar weight. And Dorian was harder and dryer. So, as far as muscularity and conditioning is concerned, Ronnie definiely did not take it to a new level in 1999. When it comes to symmetry, he maintained the same weaknesses of the previous year's Olympia, with the added liabilities of a worst taper and some abdominal distension.
No, Dorian in 1993 took the sport to a whole new level in two categories: muscularity and conditioning. He didn't take the sport to a new level of symmetry, but that's a different story. Before Dorian's 1993 performance, the only bodybuilders who stepped onstage weighing more than 250 lbs were the ones over 6'3 tall - and they were usually soft and retaining water. At a height of 5'10, Dorian came in weighing 20 lbs more than Arnold ever did, while being 4 inches shorter. That, my friend, is taking muscularity to a whole other level! 
And he also showed a dry appearance which, even today, pros try desperately to replicate! Not only that, and although Dorian was no Labrada or Benfatto in the symmetry department, he maintained superb proportions from head-to-toe at this whole other level of muscularity and conditioning. These pics are all from the 1993 Olympia. This is what taking it to a whole new level means.
SUCKMYMUSCLE
hahaha - this is claimed to be a 'well thought out argument'?
lets look at this carefully:
Arnold came in at 237 lbs for the 1974 Olympia, only 12 lbs less than Ronnie weighed in 1998, and his waist was so tiny that he could do a vacuum pose without even trying! To me, that's a more impressive combination of size and taper than that of the 1998 Ronnie.
no, it isn't: Ronnie was far wider and had a much more dramatic taper than Arnold EVER did, in 98 or 99:
that comment is nothing more than ironage bullshit again...
Actually, Ronnie's taper was far less dramatic in 1999 than it was in the previous year,
wrong again - Ronnie was far more full and had much better thigh sweep in 99 than in 98, his taper was much better:
and he had much less visible gyno.
His taper was pretty bad that year
is this guy stupid or what?
1999 - At 257 lbs, Ronnie was less muscular than Dorian at a similar weight. And Dorian was harder and dryer. So, as far as muscularity and conditioning is concerned, Ronnie definiely did not take it to a new level in 1999. When it comes to symmetry, he maintained the same weaknesses of the previous year's Olympia, with the added liabilities of a worst taper and some abdominal distension.
unbelievable - you ignore dorian's
glaring arm and leg smoothness:
in his "1993 standard" and then say that Ronnie was less muscular and not as hard and dry as dorian
guess what sucky:
smooth arms and legs do not make a new standard at 257 pounds with a wide waist.
freaky detail with a wicked taper at the same bodyweight doand as far as shape goes, it is common knowledge that Ronnie had fantastic shape in many key areas:
to say otherwise is being naive to bodybuilding traditions.
sure, you can say he had poor shape, but anyone who knows anything about the sport will disagree with you.
Well thought out argument?
Think Again.
