May 18, 2002, New York, NY: Markus Ruhl wins the Night of Champions in the Big Apple and in about 2 weeks Markus will step onstage at the Big O. once more. He knows he can`t win the contest, but he also knows that the fans will audibly root for him as always and that his sponsor Ultimate Nutrition, the title sponsor of the show, will treat him and his wife like royalty throughout the whole weekend.

October 23, 1999, Las Vegas, NV: Flex Wheeler grabs another 2nd place at the O.! What was the single biggest mistake Flex made in his awesome career? He played somebody else`s game! He wanted to match Dorian & then Ronnie for size. But he should have improved on his own 93 Arnold, 96 NOC and 98 Arnold condition. Then he would have defeated Dorian in 94, 96 and 97. And he would have owned Ronnie, at least in 2000.

September 10, 1995, Atlanta, GA: IFBB Legend Shawn Ray placed 4th at the 95 Olympia. He was not at his all-time best. But look at the shot! Isn`t that what Bodybuilding should be all about? Everything is lean, nothing is ugly and bloated. Shawn should have won in 94 and 96. Bodybuilding might have a totally different appeal today ?