Bob Cicherillo and Shawn Ray have some hot takes heading into the second half of the 2025 bodybuilding season. On June 11, 2025, they shared that if the Men’s Open continues to become a ‘freak show,’ the division will die and Classic Physique will take over. They also urged Regan Grimes not to compete at the 2025 Mr. Olympia despite qualifying for the event.
The Men’s Open division has delivered non-stop action throughout the year. Canadian Men’s Open threat Regan Grimes finally made his return onstage after sitting out for a year. He took fourth place at the stacked 2025 New York Pro, won by Nick Walker. From there, Grimes managed to earn his Olympia qualification following a big win at the California State Pro.
Before putting his head down to prepare for Olympia, Grimes tested himself at the 2025 Toronto Pro Supershow in his backyard. Ultimately, he took second and was unable to surpass Sasan Heirati on the scorecards. And though he earned his right to compete on the world’s biggest stage, Cicherillo and Ray believe it would be a mistake.
Bob Cicherillo, Shawn Ray Tell Regan Grimes Not to Compete at 2025 Olympia, Says Open Class Will ‘Die’ If It Turns into a Freak Show
In the YouTube video, Cicherillo emphasized that when the Open ‘turns into a freak show, it’s over.’
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“The minute it turns into a freak show, it’s over. Now, the hardcore out there, the very loud minority, will disagree with that,” he explains. “Guess what? That’s not the majority of the fanbase. That’s not the majority of the people buying tickets or who have interest in bodybuilding. You can tell that by exactly what we’ve said. Classic Physique is bodybuilding everybody.”
“It’s not something different. It’s bodybuilding. That’s what bodybuilding should be judged on. That’s the whole basis, I don’t care what division it is. Every division in the sport of bodybuilding, I’m talking women and men, it should be built on the same foundation: shape, symmetry, proportion, muscularity, conditioning, they all got value.”
He likened the future of the Men’s Open to Women’s Bodybuilding, which took a massive hit in popularity because the division ‘got away from what it was.’
“When the weight goes, and all those things are ignored and it turns into a freak show. We have no better example in front of us than Women’s Bodybuilding. This is exactly what happened. It got away from what it was,” shared Cicherillo.
As for Regan Grimes, if it were up to Shawn Ray, he wouldn’t let him compete at the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
“Do you send him to Las Vegas? Because I personally wouldn’t send him to Las Vegas this year. I’d have him do other shows where he can actually compete,” shared Shawn Ray.
Cicherillo agreed, suggesting that Grimes would likely fight for 12th to 15th place.
“I’m not so sure I’d step on the Olympia stage [if I’m Regan Grimes] because from what I’m seeing and with all due respect to Grimes, I don’t think he can do much there. Listen, he’s going to be fighting for 12th or 15th?” adds Cicherillo.
In response to their doubts, Grimes clapped back on Instagram, saying:
“You get qualified for the O, the Super Bowl of bodybuilding… you show up period. You only get so many opportunities! Thats my take 😁
@ifbbprobobchick Quick question – Do you regret not going to the Olympia in 2006 when you qualified at the masters pro World? Would have been nice to try and improve on that 18th placing in 2002 Olympia!” shared Grimes.
Talks about who could win the 2025 Mr. Olympia are heating up. Thus far, former eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney suggested that Hadi Choopan is the one to watch out for onstage. Additionally, bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto called Choopan ‘almost a favorite’ heading into the event.
Regan Grimes will have the opportunity to test himself against the best if he chooses. The 2025 Mr. Olympia event is set for October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
RELATED: Bob Cicherillo Predicts Seventh Place Finish for Nick Walker at 2025 Mr. Olympia
