10 Criminally Underrated Wrestler/Manager Combos
5. Mr. Perfect/The Genius
The late, great Bobby Heenan should come to mind when thinking back to Mr. Perfect's best managers. Perhaps, for those who are suckers for something a little different, Coach (John Tolos) also has a special place in their hearts. Then, there's Lanny Poffo, with his trusty scrolls and his lyrical poetry.
God bless The Genius. He was perfect for Perfect.
Heenan-lovers, don't be too upset. 'The Brain' is coming up soon on this list. Besides, he wasn't the man who managed Curt Hennig when the bump-machine was up against Hulk Hogan in 1989-90, and he wasn't there when The Genius sacrificed his locks to Brutus Beefcake at WrestleMania VI. Poffo was, and he excelled in his role.
The dynamic between Perfect's athleticism and Genius' mind was plain stunning too. This was the template Hennig and Heenan later built on, and that should never be forgotten. Without Poffo's unique brand of cowardice, Perfect's feud with Hogan might have seemed like a retread for a Heenan ally.