by Christian Duque
It’s roughly confirmed that Nick “The Mutant” Walker is doing the 2025 Pittsburgh Professional. That’s proper, bodybuilding is again in Pittsburgh, and the followers couldn’t be any happier. Walker has been a longtime fan-favorite for his offstage demeanor and the very fact he likes to battle on stage. He’s bigger than life and is a mass monster if there ever was one. Everyone knows how a lot the Olympia crowd values dimension. It’s been that method since Ronnie in 2003, Dorian within the 90’s and when Lee Haney completely reworked the look of the highest bodybuilder on the earth.
Whereas the followers worth aesthetics and movement, there’s simply one thing about dimension that makes so many bodybuilding followers’ coronary heart race. The followers adore it, the judges appear to reward it handsomely, and the press love to write down about it.
On the one hand, one have a look at Walker and we all know that his physique isn’t going to realize mainstream enchantment. Nobody can appear to be that with out boatloads of meals, tons of heavy coaching, and the whole lot however the kitchen sink when it comes to PED’s. That’s simply how it’s.
On the flipside, the followers and the press love the entire mutant vibe. It’s as in the event that they’ve tapped into the identical spirit that catapulted Markus Ruhl to superstart standing. Although Markus by no means received the Olympia or the Arnold, he received the NOC and another titles. The followers simply couldn’t get sufficient. And in some ways Walker is the Das Freak of the 2020’s.
It will be epic to see Nick again on stage at 100%. Up to now, he’s earned himself the nickname of Nick “Walkaway,” greater than “The Mutant.” This yr’s O marked the second consecutive Olympia that Walker signed to do, however truly dropped out of. It’s a calling card that has made him drop each within the placings but additionally when it comes to public opinion. Apparently, the 2025 Arnold was off the desk. The previous ASC champ mentioned that the 2025 Arnold was “too quickly.”
Too quickly? Yeah, apparently he didn’t need to get on a stage with the likes of Derek or Samson. At the very least that’s how I learn it. Nonetheless, Walker is aware of that until he competes someday this upcoming yr, that he may as properly kiss goodbye any likelihood of doing the 2025 Olympia. He’s additionally not within the operating for a particular invite. Most followers suppose he’s achieved. Others suppose he may come again in some unspecified time in the future. What’s miserable is what number of followers nonetheless maintain out that hope for Kai Greene. That’s the class Nick at present finds himself in.
So what occurs if Nick indicators his athlete contract to do Pittsburgh after which drops out? Effectively, it will be the identical because the Olympia. The one distinction is that Pittsburgh is the President’s present. Whereas there’s at all times the prospect he received’t compete, he’ll at the least be within the venue. That crew cares extra about having the athletes in the home than the rest. In fact, they’d like to get Walker to compete, however so long as he’s in the home, that’ll suffice. The one unforgivable sin is what Large Ramy did in 2022. He was billed to be there and skipped the present. He didn’t compete, he didn’t seem, and he didn’t say something for ten straight days. Evidently, he misplaced the Olympia that yr. Walker would at the least present up, however there’s a robust likelihood he received’t compete – despite the fact that he’s saying he’ll in December 2024.
2025 may also be an enormous take a look at for Walker as he received’t have Matt Jansen in his nook. Very very similar to Lunsford and Choopan who’ve been pressured to maneuver on with out their longtime coach, Walker made what many referred to as a much-needed break. Guys like Walker and Shaun Clarida have been all however pressured to seek out new coaches and see how that works out for them. For Walker, it provides one other dimension to an already difficult energetic competitor profile. It’s only one other thing that would go fallacious. At this level, he’s operating out of choices to remain related.
The Pittsburgh announcement is a pleasant strategy to finish a tumultuous yr for Walker. His followers are definitely responding in sort and fairly just a few individuals I do know from the boards are already making journey preparations. They need to see Nick again at 100%. However will he be 100%? I imply how a lot time must move for him to make a full restoration? And do we all know what truly sidelined him from the 2024 Mr. Olympia? As a result of I believe that’s nonetheless doubtful.
I do know that lots of people appear to suppose that I need to see Nick fail as a result of he has me blocked, or no matter. I can guarantee you as a author for Iron Journal with over 800 articles to my title that that’s categorically unfaithful. I’ll not like bodybuilders with the sort of onion-thin-skin to dam journalists, however I don’t want him something however success. I, personally, don’t suppose he has a glance that may beat Samson. He may beat Derek, however he can’t beat Andrew Jacked or Martin on aesthetics. And once more, that’s simply my take. Nonetheless, if Walker or another sort of mass monster is available in freaky-huge and dialed in, in the event that they pose onerous, they usually get that viewers going nuts, THEY CAN WIN. They will and have received big titles. And nevertheless the placings are determined, it makes for a rip roaring bodybuilding present!!
May we see this sort of a contest at 2025 Pittsburgh? I’d say completely sure! And if Nick Walker emerged victorious from that sort of a contest – that would definitely put him again on the map, get him a much-needed Olympia qualification, and provides him an enormous wave of momentum to trip into the Superbowl of Bodybuilding. If Nick dominated the lineup, that may restore a whole lot of the misplaced belief he loved from the followers.
The longer a high athletes spends away from the stage, the extra his inventory begins to plummet. Walker’s inventory has definitely taken successful, however all it takes is one massive win. He’s been good to not throw his hat into exhibits he merely can’t win, proper now at the least. I’m positive there’s been individuals in his ear and his camp who tried to get him to throw his hat into the Columbus contest shortly approaching, however I believe he had the sense to zone them out. Nick would’ve been annihilated on the 2025 Arnold, however successful the 2025 Pittsburgh Professional seems completely doable.
Do you suppose Nick Walker will truly compete on the 2025 Pittsburgh? Do you suppose he may win? As at all times, thanks for studying my article, right here, at Iron Journal. Remember to share a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. I stay up for studying your suggestions within the feedback.