In this edition of Twenty Question, I had the privilege of speaking with Leaping Lanny Poffo AKA The Genius. Lanny was not as popular as his brother, but he had a decent wrestling career in the WWF in the 1980s.

In the ring, he would often read poems that he himself penned, and would also throw out frisbees to the fans. Early in his career, he was known as Leaping Lanny Poffo. He made some odd publicity by competing in a Bunkhouse Battle Royal in full knight's armor, but he was eliminated quickly. In 1989, he turned into a heel wrestler and became The Genius, adopting a highly intelligent, "better than you" persona. His poems (which had previously ribbed the heel wrestlers) now ridiculed the face wrestlers. In addition, the Genius also served as a manager (and occasional tag team partner) for Mr. Perfect. Later, he was the manager of the Beverly Brothers (Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom).

In an early 1990 edition of WWF Saturday Night's Main Event, Lanny Poffo as the Genius beat WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan by countout due to Mr. Perfect hitting Hogan with the championship belt. Later in the show, Mr. Perfect and Lanny took a hammer to the belt, shattering it to pieces. It is said that this destroyed belt became the first WWF Hardcore Championship belt. He signed a WCW contract in the 1990s, but they never used him, and he sat at home and collected a paycheck

TolerancE: You come from a rich wrestling history, your father Angelo ran a succesful Kentucky promotion called International Championship Wrestling. But was wrestling your true passion or was it something you felt obligated to do since your father had such a name in the business? 

Lanny Poffo: I wanted to be a baseball player. I had a little trouble with the hit-run-field aspect. Wrestling has been very good to me!

TolerancE: I read on your website that you father has been smoke free his entie life, which is spectacular! I lost my grandmother to lung cancer and my mother has COPD and emphysema from years of smoking. Have you had anyone in your life battle comparable ailments? I mean you seem to be a strong advocate for anti-smoking, and I'm curious if to any specific reasons why?

Lanny Poffo: 4000 children start smoking every single day in North America. They are at a 15 times greater risk to sink into the drugs. My daughter doesn't smoke and I figured that made me an expert on raising smoke-free children.

TolerancE: During the Monday Night Wars between WCW and WWE, there were reports that you were signed to a WCW contract to basically sit at home and collect a large sum of money. Is that true?

Lanny Poffo: I waited by a phone that never rang. I bleached my hair blonde and bought $2000 worth of ring attire. I'm not the reason that the WCW lost money. I'm just another symptom.

TolerancE: How did you take the news about Curt Hennig's passing?

Lanny Poffo: Very sad. I'm really not surprised when I hear that wrestlers die. I'm surprised to hear that they don't.

TolerancE: Did Vince McMahon give you the same opportunity to succeed as he did for Randy?

Lanny Poffo: I don't compare myself to others. I did very well and I'm glad that I survived it.

TolerancE: Who or what inspired you to start writring?

Lanny Poffo: My 5th and 6th grade teachers.

TolerancE: What book (if any) has made the greatest impact on you, either personally or spiritually?

Lanny Poffo: All books by Og Mandino, Robert Schuller, Deepock Chopra and Ronda LaRue.

TolerancE: Favorite Poet and Author?

Lanny Poffo: The late Shell Silverstein.

TolerancE: How has the wrestling business changed since your days in WWF?

Lanny Poffo: I don't watch wrestling. I don't even watch much TV. I imagine it's changed for the better.

TolerancE: What are your thoughts on the Bret Hart screwjob? Do you think, based on what was said, that Vince had no alternative?

Lanny Poffo: I'm not qualified to answer the question. I wasn't there. I wasn't involved in the least.

TolerancE: During your WWF days, was there anyone in the back you felt was not used to full potential?

Lanny Poffo: No. Everybody who was there was lucky to be there. Only people who weren't there weren't used to full potential.

TolerancE: What are your thoughts on Mick Foley, the author?

Lanny Poffo: He's fantastic. I love him and his books.

TolerancE: What is your favorite memory in the WWF?

Lanny Poffo: My match vs. Hulk Hogan on NBC. Also my appearance on Regis.

TolerancE: What can we expect to see from Lanny Poffo over the next year?

Lanny Poffo: I was just in a movie which I'll be announcing soon. I'm also working on another one.

TolerancE: Any other projects you're currently working on?

Lanny Poffo: My own children's show: Lanny the Nonsmoking Dad

TolerancE: Do you still watch wrestling today? If so, who do you think represents the integrity of the business?

Lanny Poffo: Molly Holly, Chis Benoit, etc.

TolerancE: What was it like backstage with Hogan? Did he separate himself and look down at anyone?

Lanny Poffo: No. He was always very nice.

TolerancE: Do you think that you and Randy are heading in different directions? Not to impune Randy's work, but I mean, you are writing and educating parents and children the importance of healthy living, while Randy is persuing a music career and calling out enemies in his songs.

Lanny Poffo: Some of the songs were pretty good. I wrote the one about Curt Hennig.

TolerancE: Is there one thing in the business that you feel that you didn't get the chance to accomplish?

Lanny Poffo: I never got an action figure. This problem will be solved next year by Jakks Pacific!

TolerancE: How about an endorsement poem for The Ringside Voice?

Lanny Poffo: The Ringside voice is all you need. Surpassing all you see and read.

Brief word association...

Warrior - I don't like to gang up on people. There's a DVD for that.

Eric Bischoff  - I met him once. I doubt if he remembers!

Honky Tonk Man - Great gimmick.

F. Scott Fitzgerald - I saw a one woman play in Santa Barbara, CA called "The Last Flapper" It was F. Scott Fitzgerald's widow in a nut-house telling about her life. One of the most memorable moments in my life. (not because of the play but because of the quality of the woman I sat next to)

Kayfabe - I'm glad that's over with. What a waste of effort! Wrestling is fun. Let's just have a good time!