Was there even such a thing as "pro status" back in the day?
I mean, I can't imagine pro cards being handed out like they are today.
What show did he win that gave him the status of "pro".
no, there was no such thing as "pro cards", but there certainly was a distinction between amateur and pro, even more so than today.
in the eyes of the AAU, if you entered a non-sanctioned (by the AAU) event, you lost your amateur status and could no longer enter an AAU event (in any AAU sport).
if you received any price money, you lost your amateur status.
if you made money from your muscles, you lost your amateur status. this included being paid for photos, working at a gym, doing personal training, endorsing a product.
by those standards, pretty much everyone today is a pro.
but regarding Arnold, the NABBA Mr Universe has an amateur and a pro class. Arnold won the amateur Mr Universe in 1967, and the Pro Mr Universe in 1968. So he was certainly considered a pro by the time he arrived in the US.