Why would Team Menace hoodwink the bodybuilding world by suggesting BIG RAMY was not doing the NY Pro, only to crash the event anyways? Maybe Ramy's fellow competitors would breathe a sigh of relief, maybe they wouldn't come at 100% knowing the giant was out. Others might bring 'just enough to win,' ala Branch Warren at last week's Dallas Europa. Whatever the reason, the bodybuilding press is playing catch-up and everyone is totally caught off guard by this breaking news. To say we're all excited would be the under statement of the century!
The fans want to see 
Ramy in NY - every freaky pound of muscle before their eyes. RAMY is this generation's DAS FREAK - the MARKUS RUHL of the masses. He has the size and genetics to go all the way to the top. There's not doubt he's a future Mr. Olympia.
Also, this isn't just some random contest. Mr. Steve Weinberger, the promoter of the NY Pro and co-owner of the East Coast Mecca, Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym, is one of the most important men in the sport of American Bodybuilding - alongside Mr. Jim Manion. Doing this show has a lot to do with respect as well.
Furthermore, how can we ignore the handicappers and the hours spent by the most hardcore fans and journalists, penning predictions and defending their choices. Throw Big Ramy into the equation and all those predictions are turned upside down. As Bob Cicherillo used to say, 'it's apples & oranges.' If a mass monster wins the contest, then he sets the tone for what the judges will be looking for. The show's vibe is set by it winner.
We shouldn've known better. This is like when Arnold spent all of 1980 saying that he was retired. Then he showed up and won his 7th Olympia. But to be fair, Ramy has also had some pretty serious health issues that sidelined him from the sport. It's possible that his health - and not marketing - was behind the withdrawing & re-entering the NY Pro.
Let's investigate further. One look at Team Menace's Official Facebook page is even more telling. Let's analyze videos with Big Ramy:
April 21 - Chest Training - Ramy sports t-shirt and black gym pants (torso & wheels covered)
April 29 - Training Legs - Ramy sports t-shirt and loose-fitting jogging pants
May 11 - Hamstrings Training - Ramy sports red long-sleeve sweater, black gym pants
May 12 - Chest Training - Ramy sports black long-sleeve sweater; legs not shown
May 13 - Back Supersets - Ramy sports red long-sleeve sweater; (Upper body seems tighter)
May 14 - Forearms/Bi's Photo - Ramy sports gray over-sized t-shirt, jogging pants. Right forearm shows a lot of vein-activity, looks pretty carb-depleted.
Word is, that the Egyptian Phenom will crash the party, successfully defend his title, and create a ton of hype before his last public appearance of the year - the Dennis James Classic. I expect guys like France's Lionel Beyeke & Hungary's Daniel Toth to put up fierce resistance, so I hope he comes in at 100%.
