Lanny "The Genius" Poffo

Wrestling For Bisexuals continued its streak of exclusive interviews this past weekend. Former NWA, ICW and WWF personality "Leaping" Lanny Poffo (a.k.a. "The Genius") took time out of his busy schedule to speak with us about a variety of subjects from his thirty-plus year wrestling career. Our staff would like to thank Lanny Poffo for the following interview. We extend our best wishes to Lanny in all his future endeavors.

Poffo, a member of the WWF's boom period in the 1980's, shared how pleased he was to be able to return to the company following his managerial stint of Curt "Mister Perfect" Hennig. He managed the Beverly Brothers tag team during his second run. While some may consider no longer working with the talented Hennig a step down, "The Genuis" was just happy to be there.

Poffo's career also included a stint with World Championship Wrestling from 1995 until 1999, but wrestling fans wouldn't know it from watching WCW television. Unlike many former WCW employees, Poffo didn't bitterly bury the defunct company when discussing it. "I never understood why they didn't use me. I certainly wanted to be used."

Could modern-day wrestling once again reach the levels of success it attained during the 80's and 90's? Poffo believes that it could, but said such success is dependent on the business "...continuing to give the fans what they want. Nobody ever went broke by underestimating the taste of the public." He added that he feels wrestling is "a young man's game" and therefore not meant for someone about to turn fifty-four years old in December. As a result, Poffo feels it is unlikely he'll ever be back on television for WWE or TNA. "Leaping Lanny" fans need not worry however. Poffo has already appeared at about twenty different pro wrestling conventions and can still be seen in a variety of independent promotions throughout the world. "It makes me feel young!"

Unlike his brother "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Lanny Poffo remains on good terms with World Wrestling Entertainment. Poffo wrote a poem for the "Battle of the Billionaires" on WWE.com last year, but has no idea what the continued heat between his sibling and Vince McMahon is about despite accessibility to both parties. "Since I don't have the guts to ask (Savage) to his face, I'd prefer not to talk behind his back. Suffice it to say, he's not welcome into the Hall of Fame."

Continued imitation suggests "The Genius'" success. The intellectual wrestling heel character has been assigned to ECW's Matt Striker and the WWF's Dean Douglas in recent years, but no ill will was held toward anyone who may have borrowed from the persona because of the revelation that "I based my character off Jack Benny." Likewise, Poffo only had great things to say about his fellow wrestler turned children's book author Mick Foley.

Lanny loves words. He personally wrote all of his on-screen poetry. When questioned about a favorite poem he'd composed, Poffo seemed to believe it was a tie between his poem for his brother's coronoation ceremony and his poem for Mister Perfect's ping-pong match--which he pointed out contained true alliteration. "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. It's not true alliteration because of the word 'of.' In mine, Personal Perfection, it's all starting with P."

Ever the generous guest, Lanny Poffo closed the interview by penning an original poem for our blog and its fans.

"Be humble when victorious
Be noble in defeat
Be there when your neighbor
Doesn't have enough to eat

Try to love your enemies
And always be aware
That in the SuperBowl of life
The tortoise fucks the hare!"

To further immerse yourself in Genius poetry, head over to www.lannypoffo.com. While you're there, you can also order yourself a copy of Lanny's children's books, promotional wrestling photos, and even his Halloween-appropriate Curse Of The Werewolf movie which also contains an appearance from wrestling's Blue Meanie. If nothing else though, you can continue to read more of Lanny's great poetry, such as the following:

"Behold this humble entourage, thier heads are bowed in reverance
At the very slightest whisper of one name
Exhalting in His splendor, which if all together fitting
of all the people in the land from whence he came
False marquees are common place as kingdoms rise & fall
But I The Genius full of Glory & Renoun
Say The Macho Man is everything, that everybody, everywhere
Would ever, ever want to wear a crown.
I say this King deserves a Queen beside him on the throne
And Sherri is the fairest in the land,
No body else is worthy of this monumental honor
And the Regal splendor of His Royal Hand
We witness the dethroning of one Jim The Hacksaw Duggin
Who's crown and robe are in a state of ravage
I now remove my Motor board and place it near my heart
And thus proclaim You Macho King Randy Savage."

Apparently Jim Duggan was a rabbit that night.

This interview was just the beginning of many more surprises we have in store for the reading pleasure of our loyal fans. Remember to check this blog regularly and continue to give us your feedback and suggestions. Likewise, if you work in the professional wrestling field in any capacity, we would love to speak with you. E-mail us at: donaldtbishop@yahoo.com.