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Frankie Kazarian Leaves Lanny Poffo in Tears at ALL IN

Frankie Kazarian Leaves Lanny Poffo in Tears at ALL IN

Posted: Mar 18th 2024 By: J. P. Zarka

This beautiful moment between Frankie Kazarian and Lanny Poffo occurred backstage at the first ALL IN show on September 1st, 2018.

On a 2019 episode of The Genius Cast podcast, Lanny Poffo, who sadly passed away on February 2nd, 2023, at 68, had wrestling host and interviewer Alicia Atout on as a guest.

In this fun interview, Poffo and Atout were reminiscing about what a wonderful experience ALL IN was for everyone involved when Lanny got emotional, reminiscing about a special moment that took place backstage.

“You know what really touched me?” Poffo began. “Frankie Kazarian.”

“He came up to me and he says, ‘I met you in Los Angeles when I was about eight-years-old.”

Lanny paused for a moment as he began to choke up.

“And [Frankie says], ‘You were nice to me.'”

Lanny stopped again to gain composure. “I’m sorry, I’m getting emotional about it.”

“I said [to Frankie], ‘Well, I’ve followed your career, and I am very proud of you.'”

Frankie backed up the sentiments shared by Lanny.

“Lanny Poffo was the first wrestler I ever met. It was at the LA Sports Arena in 1987.

“I was a very young, excited fan. I never forgot how kind he was.

“He couldn’t have been more of a gentleman then, and still is to this day.”

After reading our article, Frankie Kazarian took to Twitter to add:

“I met Lanny long before meet n’ greets were a thing. He was larger than life. He was a superstar. Still is.

“Could not have been more kind to this very young kid. Happy to call him my friend."

Kazarian continued, “For us, meeting a fan last a moment. For them, it could last a lifetime."

Frankie Kazazian Pays Tribute to Lanny Poffo After His Death

After the news broke of the passing of Lanny Poffo on February 2nd, 2023, Frankie Kazarian recorded a moving tribute for his friend on Twitter, where he remembered this moment.

“I just got the very, very unfortunate news that Lanny Poffo had passed away,” Kazarian began.

“This one hits me a little different because Lanny Poffo was the first wrestler I ever met. I was a young boy, probably nine or ten.

“I’ve told this story to him, and we shared a laugh and a little bit of tears over it because he was really moved that I remembered it.

“I got to the LA Sports Arena late, and he was there.

“Me and my buddy ran up to him, and we were just tugging on his jacket.

“It was like, ’Wow! This is a wrestler!’ I had only seen wrestlers on TV. They were real people, and he couldn’t have been kinder.

“As I got to know him and became pals with him, later in my career, he remained that same gentleman.

“I always looked forward to seeing Lanny; just a wonderful, wonderful man. I’m very, very upset that he passed away.

“To his family and his friends, my condolences.”

“We’re all this big wrestling fraternity brotherhood,” Kazarian poignantly concluded. “We just lost Lanny, so I wanted to share that with you guys. Another tough one.”

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
  • 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 06-14 to Sat: 06-20

  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Title
  • 06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title
  • 06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Pastor Brent def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Living Hope Title
  • 06-14 2025 Skylar Slice became the WAH Womens Champion
  • 06-14 2025 Military Express (Sgt. Todd & Sgt. Hartman) def. Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Scotty Rose def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-14 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Scotty Rose for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Title
  • 06-15 2024 Cade Fite became the TIW No Pressure Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Ozzy Hendrix & Adrian Vega def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-15 2024 The Gatekeeper def. Rick Russo for the EPW All-American Title
  • 06-15 2024 Trench Blythe became the EPW International Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Malachi def. Kevin James Sanchez for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles
06-16
  • Leslie Lorenzo Jun 16th Today!
  • Paul Jones Jun 16th Today!
  • Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th Today!
  • Brock Landers Jun 16th Today!
  • Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th Today!
  • Ted Arcidi Jun 16th Today!
  • Jef Tiger Jun 16th Today!
  • Chuck Hinds Jun 16th Today!
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th
  • Talos Jun 17th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Phantom Star Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
  • D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
  • Jax Samuel Jun 26th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
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  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
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  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th

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