‘The Genius’ Lanny Poffo dead aged 68: WWE in mourning as legend and brother of Randy Savage passes away

WRESTLING legend Lanny Poffo, the brother of “Macho Man” Randy Savage”, has died aged 68.

The sad news was broken be fellow WWE icon “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan via Instagram on Thursday.

Wrestling legend Lanny Poffo has died aged 68

AlamyPoffo pictured inducting his late brother ‘Macho Man’ into the 2015 WWE Hall Of Fame[/caption]

Sharing several snaps of Poffo, he wrote: “With a very, very heavy heart, I’ve been asked to let everyone know about the passing of our friend and colleague Lanny Poffo, The Genius. RIP Lanny.”

Poffo, was known during his time in WWE as “Leaping Lanny” and “The Genius”.

His epic wrestling started in the 1970s as he worked throughout the American territories.

But he went mainstream when Vince McMahon signed him up to WWE in 1985 and he went on to become a manager for some of the companies top villain characters.

Poffo stayed with WWE until 1992 and would later join rival promotion World Championship Wrestling and worked for them between 1995 and 1999.

He still remained active in the industry well into his sixties, with Cagematch claiming that he wrestled his final match in January 2020 for Survival Championship Wrestling in Rensselaer, New York.

No cause of death has yet been announced.

Wrestling legend Bobby Fulton tweeted after discovering the news: “I’m very sorry to hear the passing of Lanny Poffo! Great guy and friend! Prayers for his family, friends and fans!”

A fan tweeted: “In an age of body builder guys who specialized in punches and kicks and screaming threats, the guys who did things differently sure stood out. Leaping Lanny Poffo was one of those guys I remember most.

“Always wanted to catch one of those frisbees with the poem on it. RIP.”

While pro wrestling host Phil Strum said: “Really sorry to hear about the death of Lanny Poffo.

“He was really nice to me in our interactions, had a fun personality and loved his family very much. “

Meanwhile, another fan wrote: “Damn I just heard the news of the passing of Lanny Poffo aka “The Genius” from the old WWF days, I’m sure his brother  Randy is there waiting at the pearly gates for him.  RIP.”

His brother, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, was one of the most-famous wrestling stars on the planet alongside the likes of Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant.

Savage, real name Randall Poffo, was a multiple time world champion but sadly died aged in May 2011 aged 58.

He suffered a heart attack while driving with his wife in Seminole, Florida, becoming unresponsive before losing control of his Jeep Wrangler and crashing into a tree.

The fan favourite was cremated and had instructed his family to place his ashes under his favourite tree at his property in Largo, Florida.

Poffo would later reveal that ten days prior to Savage’s death, he had asked him to pour the ashes of his dog in the same spot.

When Poffo asked why, “Macho” explained that he wanted him to remember that spot as it was also where he wanted his ashes to be poured.

Away from wrestling, Poffo was also an author and had two books published, including the anti-smoking book “Limericks from the Heart and Lungs!”

According to IMDb, he also enjoyed several acting roles in movies such as “Curse of the Wolf,” “Ninja: Prophecy of Death” and “Alien Danger 2! With Raven Van Slender.”

WWEHis brother ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage was one of the most iconic names in WWE[/caption]  Read More 

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