On February 2, 2023 professional wrestling lost another legend as Lanny Poffo, younger brother of Randy Savage, passed away at the age of 68.
While he was a regular in the WWE as a mid card talent, his character The Genius never failed to entertain us with a poem dedicated to his opponent or feud he was in.
He made it fun while also giving a goofy side to the shows he was in that helped keep myself and other interested in our youth.
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2023
The WWE released a statement on Poffo’s passing:
“WWE is saddened to learn that Lanny Poffo, best known to sports-entertainment fans as The Genius, passed away at 68 years of age,” WWE said in a statement.
“The son of Angelo Poffo and younger brother of WWE Hall of Famer “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Lanny Poffo had a style all his own. Arriving in WWE in 1985 alongside his brother, “Leaping” Lanny Poffo was one of the first high-flyers in WWE. While he achieved some success as a fan favorite reading his own poetry and throwing Frisbees to the crowd, he reached new heights as The Genius while managing Mr. Perfect.
“WWE extends its condolences to Poffo’s family, friends and fans.”
Fond memories
He had a long career that started in All-South Wrestling Alliance in 1974 and next to his Genius gimmick, may be best known as “Leaping” Lanny Poffo.
The son of professional wrestler Angelo Poffo, he teamed with his father to win the NWA tag team championship and he also teamed with his brother Randy in ICW, a company their father founded.
He would later induct Randy into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, four years after Randy’s passing following a heart attack.
From 2018 to 2019, Poffo released a biographical comic called “The Genius Lanny Poffo” and began a podcast with JP Zarka named “The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo” and lasted 20 episodes.
It featured interviews with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Terry Funk, B. Brian Blair, Fred Ottman, Sean Waltman, Jeff Jarrett, Molly Holly, and more.
While it’s easy to look at Poffo’s career and view it as less than many others, it’s the work her put into being the best he could that created memories many of us will never forget, and that makes him one of the best.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Poffo family during this time.
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