| Powerslam Productions proudly presents the 1st in our series of interviews with some of the TRUE LEGENDS of the squared circle, and who better to begin with than a Super-talent who hails from a family of Superstars. ( Angelo Poffo his father, Randy Macho Man Savage his Brother) From 1985 -89 he was known as the Poet Laureate of the WWF( Now WWE) before being transformed into a pseudo-intellectual villain called "The Genius"! Ladies , Gentlemen & Children of ALL ages, It is with pleasure & pride we present for your enjoyment... |
| Interview conducted November 2005 Copyright 2007 Powerslam Productions |
| The Genius Lanny Poffo |
| Powerslam: Let's start with a brief bio. Tells us about Your childhood, where you grew up, went to HS, Hobbies, ect.- Lanny: I grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois. I went to high school at Downers Grove High School North. My hobbies were baseball, wrestling and photography. I was big time into health foods and still am. The term Health Nut never offended me. I just consider the source. Powerslam: We all know about the NWA and WWF years, what other promotions have you worked for in your early career? Lanny: I wrestled for Gunkle Enterprises in 1974. That was my big break. I later went to Ohio and Michigan to work for the ORIGINAL Sheik. I went to Amarillo, TX to work for the Funks. Mobile, AL to work for Lee Fields. Portland OR with Don Owen. The best time I’ve ever had was working for Emile DuPree in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. After that was the ICW and the six hardest years of my life. That’s why I don’t knock promoters. I’ve been there. It’s not easy. Powerslam: Tell us about your first pro match, who did you wrestle? Where, when and did you go over? Lanny: I wrestled Angelo Poffo in Aurora, IL. He won. It was fantastic. I loved it. I was the masked Avenger. I Avenged nothing. Powerslam: What titles have you held ? Lanny: Georgia Jr. Heavyweight Championship, Twice I had the World’s Tag Team Championship for the Sheik with my Dad and later Chris Colt as partners. Powerslam: Favorite Tag Partner? Lanny: George Weingeroff in the ICW. He’s just a fantastic person and I loved being with him. We still talk on the phone. Powerslam: Toughest Match? Lanny: Big Boss Man. He wanted to give me 20 big bumps per match and he never went off his feet. I still cried when he died. Powerslam: Favorite Match? Lanny: Hulk Hogan on NBC. I’ll never be done being thankful for that. Powerslam: Pro wrestling is considered "Sports Entertainment", still, many Pro Wrestlers sustain serious injuries during their career...have you been hurt in the ring, and what effect has it had on your life outside the ring? Lanny: In 21 years I’ve never been hurt or hurt anybody. I’m very proud of that. Powerslam: Excluding your legendary father, The Great Angelo Poffo, Which wrestler(s) did you most admire before you entered the bussiness? Lanny: Paul Christy was and is my favorite and most respected person I’ve ever met. He taught me a lot, in and out of the ring. Powerslam: What's your feelings as to the changes in the business over the past decade? Lanny: I honestly don’t watch it anymore. I don’t watch much TV except for baseball. Powerslam: Is there anyone you enjoy watching amongst the Industry's "New Blood"? Lanny: Rey Mysterio Jr vs. Eddie Guerro. They’re fabulous! Powerslam: The call of the ring is a mighty one, Do you miss it and do you ever don the tights these days?? Lanny: Now that I’ve got a web-site, offers are coming in for weekends. It turns out I’m not too old after all! Powerslam: The fans have seen your appearence with exercise guru Tony Little, but what else has Lanny Poffo been up to since "The Genuis" left the ring? Lanny: I am a Certified Credit Councilor. I am very good at my job and I enjoy helping people. Powerslam: Final thoughts for the fans who love you? Lanny: Do your best and forget the rest. Life is too short to belittle. Thank You, Lanny, we appreciate your taking this time to answer our questions -Powerslam If you'd like more detailed info and images on this extremely talented wrestling veteran, check out his website at: www.lannypoffo.com/ where you can read some his limericks and get full info on lanny's work to keep the world's children on the path to good mental AND physical health and steer them away from the drudgery of smoking. |
| We hope you've enjoyed our 1st in a series of interviews with some of the superstars of Pro wrestling, past & present...in the weeks to come well be publishing interviews with more of your favorite stars including one conducted in Sept. of 1992 with the Great Dick The Bruiser, only weeks before his passing. See you soon! |
| TM & Copyright 2007 Powerslam Productions E-mail: wrestlinginterviews@powerslamcollectibles.com |
| LANNY POFFO |
| Leaping Lanny Poffo |
| Sir Lanny Poffo |
| Portrait of a true gentleman Lanny Poffo |