Vince McMahon and Titan Sports launched the World Bodybuilding Federation in 1991, promising to revolutionize the sport and present it “as it was meant to be.” However, scandals and poor decision-making proved too much for the upstart WBF, and it would soon leave McMahon millions of dollars lighter in the pocket.
Later in the ’70s, when Superstar Billy Graham muscled his way onto the scene, the charismatic bodybuilder turned wrestler broke the mold of how many thought a wrestler should appear.
And with Vince McMahon in charge, many wrestlers began looking like they lived in the weight room. Some would call this an unhealthy obsession with muscles, and it peaked in 1990 when he formed the ill-fated World Bodybuilding Federation.
“A whole rack of U.S. tested grade A prime beef!” was promised for the first-ever WBF Championship brought to you by ICOPRO (Integrated Conditioning Programs). There was a lot of pomp and circumstance attached.
The inaugural event didn’t disappoint when it came to high production value filled with plenty of glitz, special effects, pulsating music, and beautiful women. Other than posing, the bodybuilders showcased gimmicks, and many wore costumes and used props that seemed to alienate fans of the sport and didn’t encourage people to tune in as planned.