Author: This beautiful moment between Frankie Kazarian and Lanny Poffo occurred backstage at the first ALL IN show on September 1st, 2018.
Lanny Poffo: “I try to be nice to everybody, but not everybody becomes Frankie Kazarian.”
On a 2019 episode of The Genius Cast podcast, Lanny Poffo, who sadly passed away on February 2nd, 2023, at 68, had wrestling host and interviewer Alicia Atout on as a guest.
In this fun interview, Poffo and Atout were reminiscing about what a wonderful experience ALL IN was for everyone involved when Lanny got emotional, reminiscing about a special moment that took place backstage.
“You know what really touched me?” Poffo began. “Frankie Kazarian.”
“He came up to me and he says, ‘I met you in Los Angeles when I was about eight-years-old.”
Lanny paused for a moment as he began to choke up.
“And [Frankie says], ‘You were nice to me.'”
Lanny stopped again to gain composure. “I’m sorry, I’m getting emotional about it.”
“I said [to Frankie], ‘Well, I’ve followed your career, and I am very proud of you.'”
Frankie backed up the sentiments shared by Lanny.
“Lanny Poffo was the first wrestler I ever met. It was at the LA Sports Arena in 1987.
“I was a very young, excited fan. I never forgot how kind he was.
“He couldn’t have been more of a gentleman then, and still is to this day.”
After reading our article, Frankie Kazarian took to Twitter to add:
“I met Lanny long before meet n’ greets were a thing. He was larger than life. He was a superstar. Still is.
“Could not have been more kind to this very young kid. Happy to call him my friend."
Kazarian continued, “For us, meeting a fan last a moment. For them, it could last a lifetime."
Frankie Kazazian Pays Tribute to Lanny Poffo After His Death
After the news broke of the passing of Lanny Poffo on February 2nd, 2023, Frankie Kazarian recorded a moving tribute for his friend on Twitter, where he remembered this moment.
“I just got the very, very unfortunate news that Lanny Poffo had passed away,” Kazarian began.
“This one hits me a little different because Lanny Poffo was the first wrestler I ever met. I was a young boy, probably nine or ten.
“I’ve told this story to him, and we shared a laugh and a little bit of tears over it because he was really moved that I remembered it.
“I got to the LA Sports Arena late, and he was there.
“Me and my buddy ran up to him, and we were just tugging on his jacket.
“It was like, ’Wow! This is a wrestler!’ I had only seen wrestlers on TV. They were real people, and he couldn’t have been kinder.
“As I got to know him and became pals with him, later in my career, he remained that same gentleman.
“I always looked forward to seeing Lanny; just a wonderful, wonderful man. I’m very, very upset that he passed away.
“To his family and his friends, my condolences.”
“We’re all this big wrestling fraternity brotherhood,” Kazarian poignantly concluded. “We just lost Lanny, so I wanted to share that with you guys. Another tough one.”
You can listen to The Genius Cast episode where Lanny Poffo shares this beautiful moment below:
These stories may also interest you:
- Lanny Poffo: Remembering a Genius Friend
- Lanny Poffo – From Hurricanes to Earthquakes: The Next Chapter
- Lanny Poffo: Remembering My Brother, Randy Savage
- Lanny Poffo: My Time with Ring of Honor and How Caprice Coleman Saved the Day
Can’t get enough pro wrestling history in your life? Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!
Want More? Choose another story!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Flipboard!
Our wrestling history is gold, and so are readers like you!
If this story added to your collection of wrestling knowledge, you can say thanks:
Tip jar (PayPal)
Browse our merch at our brand-new shop (launched February 2026)!
Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.
Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our authors! Want to write for us? Learn how to join the team.
ProWrestlingStories.com participates in affiliate marketing programs. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn commissions at no extra cost to our readers. This supports our mission to deliver free content for you to enjoy!
If you love movies and pro wrestling, don’t sleep on this one.
Grindhouse, Arthouse, and Wrestling Flicks by Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg dives into the fascinating world where cinema and wrestling collide. Packed with hundreds of reviews, hidden gems, and fascinating turns from wrestlers on the big screen, it covers everyone from André the Giant and Roddy Piper to CM Punk, DDP, Chris Jericho, Pat Roach, and The Rock. Smart, passionate, and endlessly browsable, it’s the kind of book fans will keep returning to. Grab your copy today!
