In the world of bodybuilding, Mr. Olympia reigns supreme. Established in 1965 by Joe and Ben Weider, the event has changed ownership only three times. Jake Wood is the current sole owner. However, in 2020, Patrick Bet David and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson expressed interest in acquiring it, potentially reshaping the sport.
Joe and Ben Weider’s initial vision for Mr. Olympia was to provide a platform for amateur Mr. Universe winners. Over the years, it has transformed into a global sensation. Notably, it attracts attention not just during its annual event but throughout the entire year.
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Mr. Olympia, beyond being a competition, symbolizes excellence in bodybuilding. The Sandow trophy, awarded to the champion, holds unparalleled prestige. It plays a crucial role in promoting and elevating the sport to new heights.
Patrick Bet-David and Bradley Martyn Uncover ‘The Rock’ Attempt to Acquire Mr. Olympia
Kicking off with a surge of interest, Mr. Olympia’s availability on the market drew the attention of prominent figures. Notably, Patrick Bet-David, a millionaire and devoted podcaster enamored with bodybuilding, was quick to seize the opportunity.
In a recent YouTube podcast, Bet-David shares the behind-the-scenes of his pursuit to acquire Mr. Olympia. What adds a fascinating twist to the tale is the revelation that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was also in the race, creating a dual competition for ownership.
However, in this ownership battle for Mr. Olympia, it underscores the enduring significance of the bodybuilding institution. Additionally, Bet-David, famed for interviewing icons like Ronnie Coleman and Phil Heath, brings a unique perspective. He unravels intricate dynamics, exploring passion, business, and competition in this captivating industry narrative.
“Three years ago I met with the CEO of Mr. Olympia and I made an offer to buy Mr. Olympia because I wanted to buy Mr. Olympia. This was three months or four months before Jake Wood buys Mr. Olympia,” said Patrick Bet David.
“Wasn’t The Rock going to buy Mr. Olympia?” asks Bradley Martyn.
Patrick Bet David (PBD) contends that Mr. Olympia, however, made a “mistake” by not selling to The Rock.
“Yeah, I think The Rock was going to buy Mr. Olympia. Yeah, The Rock, and yeah, him and Danny Garcia were going to buy Mr. Olympia.
They were all involved and they were getting into it and all this stuff. I think Mr. Olympia made a mistake not selling to The Rock. It would have been great for The Rock to buy Mr. Olympia for the brand.”
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Patrick Bet-David’s Vision for Mr. Olympia, Talks About ‘The Rock’ and the Potential Shift to Classic Physique Dominance
In a revealing statement, Patrick Bet-David (PBD) discloses that if he had taken ownership of Mr. Olympia, Classic Physique would have been positioned at the forefront.
Had either Bet-David or Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson successfully acquired the organization, significant transformations could have unfolded. This includes the possibility of redefining which division holds the coveted Mr. Olympia title.
While Men’s Open currently holds the prestigious title, other categories, particularly Classic Physique, have been gaining momentum. This category, characterized by symmetrical and balanced physiques, aligns with Bet-David’s vision of the sport’s ideal aesthetic.
“The bodybuilders would have much rather of had The Rock buy Mr. Olympia. Anyways, what I wanted to do with Mr. Olympia was flip it, meaning, you know Cbum right now who Christopher Bumstead has got this incredible freakin physique, what a physique this guy has got right?”
“Twenty-two million followers on Instagram, and he’s just a ‘Hey, man I appreciate it, thank you.’ The way he talks, you see how the way he talks, this super chill likable guy.”
“6’1′ 235… right? And he doesn’t compete in the main Mr. Olympia, he competes in the other one, Classic. He doesn’t go compete with the bigger guys. He goes and competes with the Classic. Well, guess what? What if Mr. Olympia changed actually the standards.”
Furthermore, delving deeper into why Classic Physique stands as the optimal choice to showcase the world’s premier bodybuilders, Bet-David brings attention to a pressing concern.This involves acknowledging a stark reality: the fatalities among men driven to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) under the immense pressure to attain the pinnacle of excellence.
“It’s no longer about who is the biggest and who is this, what if we actually used data and symmetry and we put it on a system and who has the symmetrical – Frank Zane, Serge Nubret, Arnold-type of a physique? What if we made that look the look to win the Mr. Olympia instead of the freakin Jean-Pierre Fux, Paul Dillett, or all these guys that were coming up.”
“I think it’s still, leaving others big is the reason why guys are dying and these guys are dying in their early 40s late 30s because they feel like they have to put so many things in to be able to compete at the highest level and they are getting crushed.”
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Swiftly recognizing the formidable athletes in the Men’s Open, Bet-David emphasizes the need for unwavering respect for their remarkable achievements.
“This is not taking anything away from the Open bodybuilders, the guys who have gone to insane levels, it’s insane but it’s just like we also have to go like who is drawing the traffic now at this point? People are coming to see Chris Bumstead and the people that he’s competing against,” explains Bradley Martyn.
Concluding the conversation, Martyn reveals his all-time favorite physique.
“Of all time, I gotta go with Arnold. Arnold, Zane,” said Martyn. “And Serge had a great physique too. But like I said, those are all the older guys.”
Moreover, when reflecting on newer athletes, I favored Ronnie for his absurdity, but especially Flex Wheeler. He was right there before, an intriguing situation as he never won an Olympia due to Ronnie’s arrival,” he explained.
Achieving the Mr. Olympia title stands as a testament to an athlete’s unwavering dedication, rigorous training, and exceptional physique. The journey demands years of disciplined effort, underscoring the profound challenge involved.
Regarding the Mr. Olympia brand, PBD asserts that not accepting a buyout from The Rock was a mistake. He remains steadfast in his belief that Classic Physique should hold the coveted title of Mr. Olympia. Intriguingly, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed a similar sentiment last year, suggesting the Open Mr. Olympia title should go to the Classic Physique winner.
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Overview
In bodybuilding, Mr. Olympia, established in 1965, changed ownership three times. In 2020, Patrick Bet David and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson eyed acquisition. Initially, Joe and Ben Weider envisioned it for amateur Mr. Universe winners. Over time, Mr. Olympia became a global symbol, awarded with the prestigious Sandow trophy. Bet-David proposed a shift to Classic Physique, emphasizing symmetry. Furthermore, this aligns with changing audience preferences towards aesthetics. Despite respect for Men’s Open athletes, there’s a shift towards categories like Classic Physique. The potential acquisition by The Rock prompts discussions on its significance. The legacy and future direction of Mr. Olympia remain intense topics among insiders.
Featured Image @BRADLEY MARTYN’S RAW TALK CLIPS (Youtube), @Therock (Instagram)