Santino Marella and Cody Rhodes Share Competing Stories of WWE Bodybuilding Contest
Santino Marella and Cody Rhodes recently discussed a bodybuilding competition they initiated during a WWE tour in Europe, which culminated at WrestleMania 25. The two wrestlers have differing accounts of the events leading up to the contest, which began when Rhodes jokingly called Marella fat.
The competition, dubbed Muscle Mania, was planned over four months and included both strength and bodybuilding elements. Marella, who weighed 233 pounds in November, managed to drop to 203 pounds by WrestleMania, motivated by the contest. He prepared extensively, hiring posing coaches and a nutritionist, although he faced health issues related to thyroid medication.
During the event, Marella and Rhodes showcased their talents, with Marella performing a Russian dance and Rhodes executing a backflip. Audience votes ultimately declared Marella the winner, despite Rhodes's athletic performance. The contest was marked by a trophy presented by JBL and a memorable atmosphere among their peers.
