Bodybuilders Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno put bodybuilding on the map when Pumpin Iron’s bodybuilding documentary came out in 1977.
The movie focused on the rivalry of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was the top bodybuilder at the time, and up and comer Lou Ferrigno was trying to win the title away from the king.
The documentary was mainly about the leading up to the 1975 Mr. Olympia and the preparation for the show.
Even though Arnold has now admitted that many scenes in the movie were fabricated, it was still a considerable rivalry between him and Lou Ferrigno.
Lou, who was training under his dad at the time, was sure to take away the title from Arnold; Arnold had other ideas and used all his tricks in the book to play the mind of Lou Ferrigno.
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The movie’s focus was if Lou Ferrigno would be able to beat Arnold; however, in 1975, Mr. Olympia Lou couldn’t win 2nd place Serge Nubret even though it was predicted he would battle against Arnold for the first place.
After that time, Lou finished 3rd out of three competitors and didn’t compete for many years in bodybuilding.
Lou became a movie star starring as Hulk in the Marvel franchise.
Lou Ferrigno made a comeback to Olympia 1992, 17-years after his previous Olympia.
He got 12th place but shocked the world with his incredibly massive physique so long after retiring from competitive bodybuilding.
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The following year Lou improved even more and got 10th place, and that was his last Olympia.
Lou could have arguably won the 1976 Mr. Olympia because Arnold retired after 1975 Mr. Olympia.
For some reason, Lou Ferrigno didn’t compete in 1976, even though he may have won it since Arnold wasn’t there anymore.