As for big Ron....Many of you post in the sense that it is the judges not "giving" it to him. To get a pro card you have to earn it. Yes, Ron is awesome, but you have to remember, competing year after year will not guarantee you a top spot. "Paying your dues" will also not get you a card. I saw the pics, and yes, Ron looked equally as good as he ever has - slightly more ripped even. But there are always up and comers who will steal that spot from him unless he puts on a lot of muscle AND keeps his conditioning.

As mentioned, a couple years away from dieting may be the best thing to do at this point. Otherwise, there will be some up and comers who will steal the show year after year. Especially because the overall winners of the future will likely continue to be even bigger and better than the overall winners of yesteryear.

On another note, I don't think the 2nd card was not given because the masters are in 2 weeks. Masters were always awarded a card and that won't change. The 2nd card is given when someone is deserving. If they had to give another card, it would have likely been the SWH or the 2nd place heavy. And since the 2nd place HW will likely win in 2 weeks, the judges I am sure felt no one else was quite ready to get that card.