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Lanny Poffo
By Craig Young
- Were you a wrestling fan while growing up?
Yes. Johnny Valentine, Pat O’Conner, Wilbur Snyder and of course, my Dad.
- How did you get involved in the business?
When you’re Dad is a wrestler, you don’t have to pay some scam artist.
- When did you get interested in writing poetry? When did you start
using poetry as a part of your wrestling career?
My fifth grade teacher first discovered my talent. Later I met Shel Silverstein in Nashville in 1977 and once again in 1991.
- Did you and Randy start wrestling at the same time?
Randy played Professional Baseball from 1971-1975 It took him 10 years to get to Madison Square Garden!
- You began your wrestling career in the NWA Southern and Midwestern territories - what are your best and worst memories of that time?
The girls at the wrestling matches were very interested in my satisfying my libido. I’ve always treated them extra special and I hope they don’t have bitter memories of me.
- What titles did you win during that period?
My first belt was the Georgia Jr. Heavyweight belt which I won from Ted Oates. My father and I held the World Heavyweight Tag-team championships but this was exclusively for The Sheik’s promotion of Ohio and Michigan. Step out of those states and nobody knows your name.
- You also wrestled for your family's International Championship Wrestling which you were 1/3 owner or with your father and brother. What was it like working there?
The work was hard. That’s why I never criticized Vince McMahon like all the other wrestlers do. I’ve been on the other side of the coin. It’s not easy!
- Your father, Angelo, once completed 6033 sit ups in 4 hours and 10 minutes which was a world record. Does that record still stand?
In regulation Navy sit-ups, YES. His hands were locked behind his head and there were 3 judges. It was featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
- Randy got the call up to the WWF. Is it true that he requested you join him there?
Yes! George Scott was the booker and he knew me from Crockett promotions and he had good memories of my 2 years with him in 1976-77.
- Is there a chance Randy wouldn't have gone if there was no room for you?
No. He would have gone there and then helped me to get in later. He’s always looked after me!
- How did you feel about it at the time when Randy was welcomed to the top of the card while you had to settle for a mid to lower position?
It took until 1989 to get to the top, where I stayed for 4 months.
- In 1988, you published a 172 page book of poetry entitled 'Wrestling With Rhyme'. What prompted you to write these poems?
You might as well question why I breathe. If I stop breathing I will die. If I stop writing, my soul will die.
- Your star started to rise in the WWF when you adopted the moniker of 'The Genius' and turned heel. Whose idea was this?
Vincent K. McMahon.
- You were teamed with the late Curt Hennig briefly as an adviser/manager. He was in his prime at the time and started a short feud with the WWF champion, Hulk Hogan. What are your favourite memories of Curt during that period? Do you think he was ever at the stage where he could have become the WWF champion?
He would have been a great champion. He was a fantastic person. I cried when he died.
- You wrestled Hogan on Saturday Night's Main Event at that time and beat him via countout - how significant was that match to you in your WWF career?
It’s on my web-site because I’m so proud of it. I’ll take it off when a lawyer tells me to cease and desist. Till then I want it up there.
- You also managed The Beverly Brothers, what was that like?
It was OK. I wonder what’s become of them?
- It was never officially acknowledged at the time by the WWF that you
and Randy were brothers, do you think they missed out on an opportunity
to
team both of you together? Would that teaming have gotten over with the
fans?
I’m satisfied with what I got from wrestling. I see other wrestlers who are not grateful, spewing their vomit all over the internet. I’m healthy, wealthy and free. Why should I be miserable at age 51?
- It's been said that you were under rated by the WWF and you were treated as 'Randy's little brother', how do you respond to that?
2 box office records fell during my 4 month run: Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. I wouldn’t have even gotten to the WWF it wasn’t for Randy. Being his “little brother” was a good thing for me!
- Overall, did you enjoy your time with the WWF?
I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
- What are your opinions of the current WWE product?
I don’t watch much TV because I’m so busy. Baseball is my favorite sport to watch. What I’ve seen of the WWE is pretty great. Rob Van Dam is my favorite.
- Do you have any regrets about your wrestling career?
No.
- What advice would you give to anyone trying to break into the wrestling business?
Don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. Save every dime you can. Don’t ever get married. Don’t breed what you can’t feed.
- Do you have any involvement with the wrestling business at this time?
Offers come over my e-mail from my web-site all the time. Sometimes I go, sometimes I don’t.
- Sadly, one of the WWF's greats, Lord Alfred Hayes passed away last year. What are your favourite memories of him?
The poem I recited for him is on my web-site, courtesy of the WWE. He was a very fine gentleman. He gave me a lot of advice when I was in Amarillo, Texas working for the Funks in 1975. I loved him.
- Can you tell us how Randy is getting on with his music career? Will we be seeing him in the ring again?
That’s a Randy question. I never answer his questions!
- One final question concerning Randy. Does he hate Hulk Hogan as much
as has been portrayed?
See above!
- What are your opinions of Hogan?
He was the Babe Ruth of Wrestling. He was always very nice to me. I appreciate what he did for me in 1989-1990. I will never stop feeling gratitude for that. I love Randy too.
- You are an avidly anti-smoking, has this always been the case or did
something spark this dislike?
I’ve always been a health nut. My daughter’s decision not to smoke made me want to help other parents raise tobacco free children.
- What advice would you give to our readers who have started smoking
or may do in the future?
It’s not easy but you have to quit or pay the piper.
- Please feel free to add anything else you wish.
Don’t drink, smoke or take drugs. Wear a seatbelt and don’t let your car go too fast. Pray every day! God bless us everyone! (Charles Dickens)
Thank you for agreeing to this interview for PWresource.com. Check out Lanny's official site at www.lannypoffo.com
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