Wolf vs. Rhoden | Bodybuilding's Real Greatest Rivalry
Wolf vs. Rhoden: Bodybuilding's Real Greatest Rivalry
Tell Us Who Will Come Out on Top at the O
POLL:
Who Will Finish Higher at the 2015 Mr. Olympia Contest
Shawn Rhoden
Dennis Wolf
Let us know who you think will finish higher, and why.
Over the years bodybuilding has thrived on heated rivalries. We're talking Arnold vs. Sergio; Haney vs. Gaspari; Yates vs. Ray; Titus vs. Kamali; Cutler vs. Coleman. Presently the Heath vs. Green rivalry has ratcheted such match-ups to a new more contentious level. In reviewing those aforementioned pairings the word “rivalry” for the most part wasn't entirely appropriate. Haney never lost to Gaspari for instance. It reminds me of the 2005 Wimbledon Men’s tennis finals when Andy Roddick, finishing runner-up for the second year in succession to Roger Federer, was asked about their “rivalry”. The honest Roddick replied that he had to win one against Roger before their duels could be called a rivalry.
The premise here is that the real rivalry in modern bodybuilding is the one between Dennis Wolf and Shawn Rhoden in which they are going back and forward in beating the other. Although the Heath vs. Greene rivalry is often referred to as the main one in current bodybuilding, the reality is Heath leads that series 10-3 and he hasn’t been beaten by his predatory would-be nemesis since 2010 at the Arnold Classic. In comparison, since the 2012 Olympia (when Shawn Rhoden finished in a breakthrough third while Dennis Wolf was sixth) the duo have competed against each other ten times with Wolf coming out on top on six occasions and Rhoden four.
FRIENDLY FIRE
In comparison to the hostility that surrounds the Heath vs. Green showdowns the dynamics between Wolf and Rhoden are at the opposite end of the scale. They socialize at contests, speak frequently, and neither bitches about being beaten by the other. Remarkably they have known each other for 12 years as Dennis, as an unknown amateur, was asked to do a guest spot appearance at a Philadelphia show in 2003. Also guest posing was an equally unknown Shawn Rhoden. They struck up a conversation. Of that meeting Dennis says, “Twelve years ago I don’t think either of us would have imagined that one day we’d be going to-and-fro on the Olympia stage. He’s a great guy and we’re very cool together. He is a great athlete and deserves all the success he’s been having. I respect him immensely.”
WOLF VS. RHODEN: HEAD-TO- HEAD
Wolf Rhoden
2012 Mr. Olympia 6th 3rd
Arnold Europe 2nd 1st
Prague Pro 1st 2nd
2013 Mr. Olympia 3rd 4th
Arnold Europe 3rd 4th
2014 Arnold Classic 1st 2nd
Mr. Olympia 4th 3rd
Arnold Europe 1st 2nd
Prague Pro 1st 3rd
San Marino Pro 2nd 1st
The duo has clashed ten times in the past three seasons with Wolf coming out ahead six times and Rhoden four. They next time they meet will be the 2015 Mr. Olympia, on September 18th and 19th in Las Vegas, Seconds out