Bodybuilding Gossip's "Who is it?"

[Curt James]

I've seen this game on several Web sites. Hoping that this activity finds a home on "Bodybuilding Gossip".

The twist here is that each image will be of a physique competitor who has some bit of gossip associated with them. (Hey, it's an open field, eh?)

Who is it?

Name the athlete and if you're so inclined throw out what you believe is their associated drama or gossip.

Tips will be provided if necessary (and if there's an interest).

 

[Kathybird]

Jay Cutler?

How old?

 

[Arnold]

it's Gary Strydom.

 

[Curt James]

^Good job!

Now name the "gossip" or controversy surrounding Strydom.

Here's a hint: The year was 1990.

 

[Curt James]

Lots of gossip and controversy surrounding this competitor, but his biggest drama occurred December 2005.

 

[Kathybird]

Oh wait!! I know this!! Something about him being the only one to win a title being coached by Vince McMahon.... right?????

 

[Curt James]

Oh wait!! I know this!! Something about him being the only one to win a title being coached by Vince McMahon.... right?????

You're close to what I was thinking of...

I had the year wrong. Vince McMahon's World Bodybuilding Federation sparked controversy when it was founded in 1990. And then Strydom won the WBF Championship in 1991 and 1992.

The controversy was that Strydom, an IFBB superstar, jumped ship to McMahon's WBF.

Vince McMahon created the WBF as competition to the long established International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB).

In 1990, McMahon initially denied that he was starting a bodybuilding organization, instead stressing that he was only starting a magazine called Bodybuilding Lifestyles. He hired famed bodybuilding personality Tom Platz to oversee the publication.

The magazine secured a booth at the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest held on September 15, 1990 in Chicago. At the conclusion of that competition, the booth handed out press releases announcing the WBF's formation. The press release stated that the WBF would "revamp professional bodybuilding with dramatic new events and the richest prize money in the history of the sport." It also mentioned that Tom Platz would be Director of Talent Development for the organization.

McMahon announced at the company's unveiling on January 30, 1991 in New York's Plaza Hotel that the WBF had signed thirteen competitors, many IFBB regulars, to long-term contracts: Aaron Baker, Mike Christian, Vince Comerford, David Dearth, Berry DeMey, Johnnie Morant, Danny Padilla, Tony Pearson, Jim Quinn, Mike Quinn, Eddie Robinson, Gary Strydom, and Troy Zuccolotto. They were dubbed the "WBF BodyStars."

The first competition aired June 15, 1991 live on pay-per-view from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Regis Philbin was brought in to co-host the event with McMahon and Bobby Heenan. The show was met with mixed reviews: critics noted that the WBF's attempt at developing characters for each BodyStar went against Vince McMahon's initial promise to keep professional wrestling away from bodybuilding.

From World Bodybuilding Federation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Arnold]

Lots of gossip and controversy surrounding this competitor, but his biggest drama occurred December 2005.

I need another hint on this one.

 

[Curt James]

^Known for his anger both on stage and off.

 

[Arnold]

^Known for his anger both on stage and off.

Craig Titus

 

[Curt James]

^How do you do that? That's twice that you got the right athlete and found the pic!

And, of course, Titus' drama or gossip centered around the death of his assistant, Melissa James.

"On December 14, 2005 the burnt corpse of Ryan and Titus' personal assistant Melissa James was discovered inside a Jaguar car belonging to Kelly Ryan. The couple went into hiding together and were arrested along with suspected accomplice, Anthony Gross, after a nine day investigation.The couple awaited trial in Nevada on charges in the murder of their live-in assistant, Melissa James. James was alleged to have had an affair with Titus."

From Wikipedia

 

[Curt James]

 

[Arnold]

^ Mike Mattarazzo

I could not find that pic though.

 

[Curt James]

^ Mike Mattarazzo

I could not find that pic though.

Now you're just being nice.

"On December 8, 2004, Mike Matarazzo, at the tender age of 38, gained newfound wisdom, primarily because he realized he was alive after having undergone triple-bypass heart surgery."

More @ Mike Matarazzo's second chance: wisdom for those who have a first chance | Flex | Find Articles at BNET

 

[Curt James]

 

[Kathybird]

He had heart surgery. Is that his "gossip" thing?

 

[Kathybird]

I'm too slow.

 

[Arnold]

give me a hint.

 

[Kathybird]

That one looks familiar. The legs.

 

[Kathybird]

Hamouda?

 

[Curt James]

He had heart surgery. Is that his "gossip" thing?

Yes!

I'm too slow.

You're right on time!

give me a hint.

That one looks familiar. The legs.

Kathybird provided the hint!

Hamouda?

Newp.

 

[Curt James]

Another hint: Contract confusion!

 

[Kathybird]

OH OH!!!!! Leg implant accusations???? DAMN I can't remember his name......

 

[Curt James]

^Ooof! I'm not familiar with that gossip/rumor or accusation being leveled against this competitor.

I'm surprised this one wasn't snapped up immediately. He'll be competing at the NY Pro.

 

[Kathybird]

No no no wait... synthol injections I think, DAMN what was his name?????????/ rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr


late 90s??? I think???

 

[Kathybird]

No? Might be thinking of the wrong guy. 1990-something competition, guy who injected synthol or something for the competition? Does this sound remotely familiar?

 

[Curt James]

No no no wait... synthol injections I think, DAMN what was his name?????????/ rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr


late 90s??? I think???

No? Might be thinking of the wrong guy. 1990-something competition, guy who injected synthol or something for the competition? Does this sound remotely familiar?

I'm drawing a blank.

This athlete earned his pro card in 2007 at the North American Championships. He's what I've heard many refer to as a "fan favorite". Known for his calves. And most recently there was some confusion over his contract.

 

[Arnold]

Erik Fankhouser

 

[Kathybird]

OK I think it was Nasser Sonbaty? Who got busted for synthol. I think.


Is Robert googling these people?

 

[Arnold]

OK I think it was Nasser Sonbaty? Who got busted for synthol. I think.


Is Robert googling these people?

I knew the first three, then I used Google to find the pics he posted of them, the last one I had to do some digging, I did not know him by the pic.