Lanny Poffo
Lanny Poffo (born December 28, 1954) is an American professional wrestler. He is the son of Angelo Poffo and the brother of wrestling superstar, "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
Career
Lanny was not as popular as his brother but he had a decent wrestling career in the WWF in the 1980s. He often read poems in the ring and threw out frisbees to the fans. Early in his career, he was known as Leaping Lanny Poffo. He made some odd publicity by competing in a Bunkhouse Battle Royal in full knight's armor, but he was eliminated quickly.
In 1989, he was turned into a heel wrestler and became The Genius, adopting a highly intelligent, "better than you" persona. His poems (which had previously ribbed the heel wrestlers) now ridiculed the face wrestlers. In addition, The Genius also served as a manager (and occasional tag team partner) for Mr. Perfect. Later, he was the "valet" for the Beverly Brothers (Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom).
In an early 1990 edition of WWF Saturday Night's Main Event, Lanny Poffo as The Genius beat WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Hulk Hogan, by Hogan being counted out of the ring due to Mr. Perfect hitting him with the championship belt. Later in the show, Mr. Perfect and Lanny took a hammer to the belt shattering it to pieces. It is said that this destroyed belt became the first WWF Hardcore Championship belt.
He was signed to a WCW contract in the 1990s but they never used him and he sat at home and collected a paycheck.
Championships and accomplishments
- 2-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Detroit version) (with Angelo Poffo and Chris Colt)
- ICW Heavyweight Champion
- Southeast Tag Team Champion
- ICW Southeast Heavyweight Champion
- Mid-American Heavyweight Champion
- Mid-American Tag Team Champion
- WPWF Tag Team Champion
- GCCW Tag Team Champion
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 426 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.