The biggest names to have made a comeback after a break from the stage or the title
Bodybuilding is not an easy sport, and it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to become successful and step on that Mr. Olympia stage. But what happens when life throws you a curveball, such as an injury, and you have to take a break from the sport you love so much? Or what happens when you retire from bodybuilding? Many bodybuilders have faced this challenge and ended up coming back stronger than ever before. Let’s look into the top 5 best bodybuilding comebacks of all time.
From Arnold Schwarzenegger’s triumphant return in 1980 to Kevin Levrone’s comeback in 2016, these athletes defied odds and made history, some of them even controversial.
Bodybuilding Comebacks
A “comeback” in bodybuilding could be a return after a hiatus from the stage, or even a return to winning the title after losing it. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn about some of the most inspiring moments in bodybuilding history!
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Comeback Journey in 1980
When Arnold Schwarzenegger won the 1975 Mr. Olympia, which was his 6th title, it appeared as though he had walked away from the sport of bodybuilding for good, happy to be a six-time champ. However, after a five-year hiatus to focus on his Hollywood career which was not doing the best at that time, he decided to take to the stage yet again, gunning for the Mr. Olympia title one more time.
It was in 1980 that Schwarzengger had returned to the stage, which surprised just about everyone, as he was initially telling people that he was only going to be an analyst for the TV broadcast. In typically Schwarzengger fashion, he donned his posing trunks that night in Sydney, Australia, and came away with his seventh title, and this was deemed one of the most controversial Olympia wins in history, with many fans and experts saying that Chris Dickerson and Frank Zane and even Mike Mentzer looked better. It has been long debated that Schwarzenegger was out of condition and lacked the muscle mass he needed to truly win the Olympia, with many people citing politics as the reason for his comeback victory.
Nonetheless, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1980 comeback solidified his standing as a revered bodybuilding icon, bolstering his legacy and significance in the bodybuilding community. This return to the Olympia stage cemented his enduring impact on the sport, serving as a testament to Schwarzenegger’s indomitable spirit and resilience.
Lou Ferrigno’s 1992 Comeback
The Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno’s return to the Olympia stage in 1992 stands as one of the top 5 bodybuilding comebacks of all time. Before he was The Incredible Hulk, Ferrigno was a two-time Mr. Universe champion. At that point, he was one of bodybuilding’s hottest up-and-comers in the early 1970s, and he had a massive rivalry with Schwarzenegger. Lou had hoped to be the one who would dethrone Schwarzenegger at the 1975 Mr. Olympia, but those hopes were crushed when he finished in a disappointing third place. Instead of going for the title again, Ferrigno opted to move on to Hollywood.
However, over the years the itch to compete and take that Mr. Olympia title kept bugging Ferrigno, and eventually got the best of him. That being said, Ferrigno eventually made the bodybuilding comeback and returned to enter the 1992 Olympia contest at the age of 41, an age that most bodybuilders retire. This was actually following the retirement of eight-time champion Lee Haney.
Upon his return to the stage, Ferrigno was no longer donning the “Golden Era” physique that he had when he was competing against Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane. Instead, he was much bigger, to keep up with the mass monsters that were taking over the stage. Ferrigno was actually bigger than he ever had been when he returned to the stage in Helsinki, Finland, in ’92.
Despite the size gains, Lou didn’t have the conditioning or the symmetry that “The Shadow” Dorian Yates brought to the stage. This is the year that Yates claimed the first of what would be six Sandow trophies that night, while Ferrigno ended up in a very disappointing 12th place. However, he did try again the next year, with a bit better conditioning and symmetry and he took home 10th place. After taking home a second-place finish in the 1994 Masters Olympia, right behind Robby Robinson, Ferrigno finally retired for good.
Kevin Levrone
Often referred to as “the uncrowned king” due to the fact that he never took home an Olympia title, even though many think that he deserved the title. Kevin Levrone was one of the biggest names in bodybuilding during the 1990s. He was known for going toe to toe in poses with some of the biggest names such as Dorian Yates, Flex Wheeler, Ronnie Coleman, and Shawn Ray. This was quite the crazy time to be on the Olympia stage. Sadly, even though he had a few close calls and upset losses, Levrone never won bodybuilding’s ultimate prize.
However after many years away from the stage, Kevin Levrone announced that he would return to the Mr. Olympia stage in 2016, which is deemed one of the most surprising comebacks in bodybuilding history. During the lead up to the event, Levrone took to social media to promote himself training and preparing for the contest.
It is no doubt that Kevin looked absolutely unreal for a competitor in his 50s, especially when this was a bodybuilding comeback after he was off the stage for years, he ended up finishing out of the top 15 at the 2016 Mr. Olympia. He even had a pec tear during his prep that really hindered things leading up to the Olympia. Regardless, it was great to see one of the biggest names in bodybuilding grace the stage one last time.
Jay Cutler’s Comeback
The 4 time Mr. Olympia did not take any time off of the stage, so this comeback does not involve a hiatus, but rather winning back his title, which he lost in 2008 to Dexter “The Blade” Jackson. After experiencing that devastating loss, Jay Cutler came back better than ever for the 2009 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas. He stepped on stage showing off some unreal size and unmatched conditioning. This was when Cutler provided one of the sport’s most iconic images, the famed “quad stomp” photo.
Jay Cutler absolutely dominated the 2009 Olympia stage, making him the only Mr. Olympia to ever regain his title after losing it, an awesome bodybuilding comeback to see and this led to his third win overall. Cutler then won his fourth title in 2010.
However despite his 4 titles, Cutler ended up losing his Olympia crown to Phil Heath at the 2011 Olympia. Cutler then took a year off to recover from a bicep injury before stepping on stage again in 2013, for an actual comeback. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate his 2009 form and wound up in sixth place.
Phil Heath
Seven-time Mr. Olympia champion “The Gift” Phil Heath was determined to tie “The King” Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney for titles by winning his eighth consecutive title in 2018. However, the late Shawn Rhoden got in the way of that by taking home the title from Las Vegas that night, instead of Heath.
Following this, Phil Heath sat out the 2019 season to tend to an abdominal injury, before making his highly anticipated bodybuilding comeback in 2020. Rhoden was not present to challenge Heath due to some disputes with the IFBB, but 2019 champ Brandon Curry was there, and looking better than ever.
Throughout the whole night it appeared as though Heath was about to reclaim his title and win his eighth Olympia, and unfortunately this was a comeback that didn’t quite pan out. However it did not go to Curry either, the 2020 Olympia went to none other than Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. This was his first win, leaving Curry in second and Heath in third.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these bodybuilding comebacks serve as powerful examples of determination, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic return in 1980 showcased his dedication and commitment to the sport, and maybe just a little bit of cockiness, Lou Ferrigno’s comeback in 1992 showed that you can teach an old dog new tricks, being that he came in looking like an absolute mass monster.
Kevin Levrone defied age and made a remarkable comeback in 2016, followed by Phil Heath’s triumphant return in 2020. Jay Cutler’s memorable comeback in 2009 solidified his status as one of the greats. These comebacks share common traits such as perseverance, discipline, and a never-give-up attitude. They have not only inspired aspiring bodybuilders but also shaped the bodybuilding culture as a whole. The lesson we can learn from these comebacks is that adversity can be overcome with determination and a relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
What is your favorite bodybuilding comeback?
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