Gene Kiniski
Lanny Poffo next moved to NWA affiliate Portland Championship Wrestling and made his debut on November 16, 1979 when he wrestled Kurt von Steiger to a draw at an event in Portland, OR. Poffo faced a variety of opponents in PNW, including Adrian Adonis, Hiro Ota, and Tully Blanchard. On February 22, 1979 he unsuccessfully challenged PNW Heavyweight Champion Roddy Piper. Following a defeat to Gene Kiniski the next month, he departed the promotion.