Bob Cicherillo is tackling one of the hottest conspiracies to light up the sport. In a recent video shared on Dec. 11, 2025, Cicherillo discussed whether head judge Steve Weinberger has ripped up score sheets at contests.
Bodybuilding is tricky to judge, especially in divisions like the Men’s Open. Athletes range in stature and size, making it difficult to determine who presents the greatest balance of muscularity, fullness, conditioning, and proportions.
Steve Weinberger boasts decades of experience judging physiques, and his opinion is highly regarded in the sport. However, not everyone is a fan. Before the controversy gained traction, even Lee Priest called for a judging makeover. He noted that officials today are the same ones who were judging back in his prime. Now, Cicherillo is taking a closer look at how the judging process plays out.
Bob Cicherillo Slams ‘Conspiracy’ That Judge Steve Weinberger Rips Up Score Sheets at Contests
In the video, Cicherillo shared that the Muscle Discord YouTube channel suggested that Weinberger ripped up score sheets during contests.
“He [Muscle Discord] said his big smoking gun was this conspiracy that he walked backstage at a show, by the way, he couldn’t remember the show, couldn’t remember when it was, but he remembers this. And when he walked backstage after the prejudging, Big Steve was back there tearing up the scoresheets. It’s like… okay?” said Bob Cicherillo.
Cicherillo fired back, suggesting that Weinberger could have been tearing up anything behind the judging panel, not just score sheets.
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“Unfortunately, when people aren’t really experts and don’t even know the right questions to ask. First of all, I’d ask, what makes you think he’s scared of tearing up score sheets? It could have been anything. Maybe it was the lunch menu he was tearing up, I don’t know.”
“The Voice of Bodybuilding” shared that scores aren’t just kept on paper, but also on a computer. Additionally, he said that the score sheets from prejudging are disposed of, and different ones are used in the finals at events.
“Okay, let’s say he was. The scores exist on a computer. They aren’t just on sheets of paper. Routinely, again, at the end of every prejudging, when the scores are tabulated, and new sheets are put out, they tear up the old ones because they are not going to be the same score sheets that they use at the night show. It’s that simple,” said Cicherillo.
“If it was the court of law, it’d get thrown out for a lack of substantial evidence.”
In the past, Weinberger has discussed whether it’s possible to influence judges. He argued it’s ‘impossible’ to bribe judges because events are scored by several officials, which means everyone would need to be bribed to effect change.
Having MC’d the Mr. Olympia for decades, Cicherillo has insider knowledge when it comes to the judging process. He’s adamant Weinberger hasn’t been ripping up score sheets to influence judging results.
Watch the full video from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel below:
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