Bios
Lanny Poffo
Nickname: Leaping
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 228 lbs
From: Downers Grove, IL
Birthday: Dec 28th
Pro Debut: 1973
Aliases: The Genius, Lanny Holiday, Leaping Lanny, Knight Armor
Feds Worked For: MSW, WCCW, AWA, NWA, Ring of Honor, WCW, WWF, All-South Wrestling Alliance (GA), Ballpark Brawl (NY), Big Bear Promotions (Canada), Big Time Wrestling (MI), Catch Wrestling Norddeutschland (Germany), Championship Wrestling International (Canada), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), Coastal Championship Wrestling (FL), Combat Revolution Wrestling (Canada), Continental Wrestling Association (AL/TN), Deutsche Wrestling Allianz (Germany), Do or Die Wrestling (Poland), Eurowrestling Company (Germany), Fighting Spirit Wrestling (NY), Flemish Wrestling Force (Germany), Florida Underground Wrestling (FL), Free-Style Championship Wrestling (Germany), Grand Prix Wrestling (Canada), Great North Wrestling (Canada), Gulas Wrestling Enterprises (TN), Hannibal Pro Wrestling (Canada), Impact Championship Wrestling (NY), In Your Face Wrestling (NY), International Championship Wrestling (KY/TN), International Championship Wrestling Alliance (FL), International Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling Cartel (PA), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Maryland Championship Wrestling (MD), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), NWA Mid-America (AL), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR/WA), Prairie Wrestling Alliance (Canada), Pro Wrestling King (IN), Pro Wrestling Lachine (Canada), Pro Wrestling Superstars (CA/FL), Pro Wrestling Syndicate (NJ), Pro Wrestling Xtreme (Canada), Professional Wrestling Alliance (Canada), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Stampede Wrestling (Canada), Ultimate Championship Wrestling (Canada), Uproar Pro Wrestling (FL), USA Championship Wrestling (IL), Vintage Wrestling (FL), Westside Xtreme Wrestling (Germany), Windy City Wrestling (IL), WrestlePro (NJ), Wrestling Supershow (Canada)
Finisher: The Honor Roll (Flying Senton)
Signature Moves: Moonsault, Crucifix Pin
Career Highlights: -AGPW International Champion (2x)
-GNW Canadian Champion
-ICW Champion (4x)
-ICW Southeastern Champion
-ICW Southeastern Tag Team Champion (w/ Angelo Poffo)
-ICW Tag Team Champion (4x; 3 w/ George Weingeroff, 1 w/ Mike Doggendorf)
-ICW Television Champion
-NWA (Detroit) World Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Angelo Poffo and Chris Colt)
-NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Champion (w/ Randy Poffo)
-NWA Mid-America Champion
-NWA Mid-America Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Pez Whatley and Bobby Eaton)
-PWL International Champion
-WPWF Tag Team Champion (w/ Bulldozer Benton)
Affiliates: George Weingeroff, Randy Poffo/Randy Savage, Angelo Poffo, Ronnie Garvin, Pez Whatley, Chris Colt, Bobby Eaton, Mike Doggendorf, Bulldozer Benton, Jimmy Hart, The Beverly Brothers, Mr. Perfect
Notable Feuds: Rip Rogers, Randy Poffo/Randy Savage, Bob Orton, Jr., Pez Whatley, Doug Vines, Koko B. Ware, Jim Neidhart, George the Giant/Crusher Broomfield, Angelo Poffo, Mike Sharpe, Jr., Jeff Sword, Sika, Ron Bass, Brutus Beefcake, Gary Royal, The Great Tio, Bret Hart, Jim Powers, Leroy Rochester, Hercules Hernández, Nikolai Volkoff, Harley Race, Adrian Adonis, Dan Spivey, Barry Horowitz, Barry O, The Iron Sheik, Eddie Gilbert, Jimmy Jack Funk, Bolo Mongol/Ax, Greg Valentine, Gypsy Joe, Joey Rossi, Danny Davis, Hillbilly Jim, Tojo Yamamoto, Dino Bravo, Hulk Hogan
Other Facts: -Full name was Lanny Mark Poffo
-Son of pro wrestler Angelo Poffo, who trained him for pro wrestling. In some areas in the 1970s, he was billed as Angelo's brother.
-Brother of pro wrestler Randy Savage
-Former brother-in-law of pro wrestling valet Miss Elizabeth
-Sometimes billed from Amarillo, TX or Lexington, KY. He was actually born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
-His trademark while in the WWF was bringing frisbees to the ring with his poetry on them and throwing them to the crowd
-The angle with Lanny getting his hair cut at WrestleMania VI was not part of the match and he was legit angry after the match, as was his brother, Randy Savage.
-Poffo's character of The Genius was heavily influenced by Poffo's personality. He was a very bright student who had little patience for school and could easily pass tests without studying.
-Published 2 books, the first was a 172 page book of his poetry entitled "Wrestling with Rhyme" in 1988. The second was "Limericks From the Heart and Lungs" in 2007.
-Squared Circle Comics released a comic book autobiography in 2018 titled "The Genius Lanny Poffo"
-It was rumored that Poffo portrayed Wild Cat Willie, the WCW mascot during the 1990's. That rumor was dispelled in 2009 by Poffo himself, but he did reveal that he was supposed to be "Gorgeous George" in WCW, a gimmick that eventually went to Savage's then-girlfriend. Poffo was under contract to WCW for 5 years but, aside from possibly 2 dark matches at TV tapings, never actually competed for the company.
-Host of "The Genius Cast" podcast
-Former member of The First Family
-After wrestling, he worked as a Certified Credit Counselor. He also made appearances at schools promoting an anti-tobacco lifestyle for students.
-Ranked #229 in the 1991 PWI 500 (as The Genius)
-Ranked #238 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked #350 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked #365 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Inducted into the NWA Hall of Heroes in 2014 (w/ Angelo Poffo & Randy Savage as The Poffo Family)
-Passed away February 2, 2023 at the age of 68.
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
- 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
- 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
Week of Sun 05-12 to Sat: 05-18
- 05-12 2002 Rocco Valentino became the OCW Oklahoma Television Champion
- 05-12 2012 The New Era [2nd] (Richie Adams & Goldeneye) def. The Dramatic Athletes (Jake McCoy & X-Cal) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-12 2012 Venus became the IZW Queens Champion
- 05-12 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Bobby Starr for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-12 2013 Impact, Inc. (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Shawn Sanders & Tyson Jaymes for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 05-12 2018 Garrett Murphy became the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 05-12 2018 Big Smooth def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-12 2018 Brayden def. Kareem Sadat for the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
- 05-12 2018 Gavin Dixon def. Mikey [2nd] for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-12 2023 Ronnie Morton def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
- 05-13 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
- 05-13 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-13 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-13 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
- 05-13 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 05-13 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
- 05-13 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
- 05-14 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 1975 Danny Miller def. Skandor Akbar for the TSW North American Champion
- 05-14 2004 Butch Dalton def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 2004 Devon Monroe def. Mitch Carter for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 2005 John O'Malley became the IZW Hardcore Champion
- 05-14 2005 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-15 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Dory Funk for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton [1st] for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-15 2010 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Bobby Star) def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 05-15 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2015 Charlie Haas def. Jerome Daniels for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2021 Killbane def. The Canadian Red Devil for the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
- 05-16 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane) for the TSW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 1983 Chris Adams def. Terry Gordy for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-16 2009 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Team Bull (Aaron Neil & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2015 Clint Cassidy def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE United States Champion
- 05-16 2015 Brett Stopp def. Fuel for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-16 2015 Anarchy [2nd] def. Brett Stopp for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-17 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
- 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
- 05-17 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 2024 Gorilla Militia became the TexPro Texas Champion
- 05-18 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-18 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
- 05-18 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 05-18 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
- J. R. Wind May 18th Today!
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- Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
- Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
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- Gemini [2nd] May 24th
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- Dark Journey May 25th
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- Guy Atticus May 25th
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- Fuel May 31st
Oklafan Quiz
Which of the following was NOT a member of Justin Lee's backyard wrestling fed, Innovative Combat Federation?
Current Champions
Wrestle Against Hunger
Heavyweight Champion
Romeo Reese
- Tag Team Champions: Psychotic Messengers
- Living Hope Champion: Jean-Claude
- Spotlight Champion: Trench Blythe
- Hunger Dojo Champion: Pastor Brent