| Tom Zenk | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Tom Zenk Z-Man |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (110 kg; 17 st) |
| Born | November 30, 1958 Robbinsdale, Minnesota |
| Billed from | Robbinsdale, Minnesota |
| Trained by | Eddie Sharkey Brad Rheingans |
| Debut | 1984 |
| Retired | 1996 |
Thomas Erwin "Tom" Zenk (born on November 30, 1958) is a former American professional wrestler, also known by his nickname Z-Man.
Contents |
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Zenk started wrestling in 1984 in working for an indie promotion, Bill Watts and Mid Altlantic before joining AWA, later moving to the Pacific Northwest territory where he feuded with Bobby Jaggers. At Rick Martel's request he moved to Montreal to participate in Martel's Lutte International (IWA) before travelling with Martel to work in Japan and eventually the WWF. Between 1987 and 1994 Zenk made a total of 9 tours of Japan working for both AJPW and NJPW.
World Wrestling Federation
Zenk later made his way to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) alongside Rick Martel and the pair formed a tag team known as the "Can-Am Connection" in late 1986. The team faced, and defeated, the tag team of Don Muraco and Bob Orton, Jr. in the opening bout of WrestleMania III in March 1987. The tandem was so popular that they were being built up as the successors to the Hart Foundation as the next World Tag Team Champions, but Zenk would abruptly leave the promotion, allegedly over the result of a contract dispute. Zenk elaborated on the incident in a radio interview saying that he felt betrayed by Martel as he went behind Zenk's back and used his influence as a former AWA World Heavyweight Champion to get a better deal for himself while not doing anything to heighten Zenk's deal. Zenk also said that Martel even tried to get him to marry his sister as a way to keep him loyal to the wrestling partnership. It is important to point out that this is Tom Zenk's version and that Rick Martel refuted the claim.
Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling
He reappeared in the American Wrestling Association in early 1989 and was the last man eliminated by Larry Zbyszko in a battle royal for the vacant AWA World Heavyweight Title. After receiving several shots at the AWA title, Zenk went on to wrestle for Jim Crockett Promotions (later renamed to World Championship Wrestling) in 1989. Before commercial breaks, a graphic stated that "The Z-Man is coming...September 12, 1989". Zenk, under the name Z-Man, debuted at the first Halloween Havoc event in 1989. He soon formed a tag team with Brian Pillman and they won the United States Tag Team Championship while beginning feuds with the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) and the Fabulous Freebirds.
However, during this time Zenk tore a muscle while weightlifting and had to take several months off to recover. His physical appearance was quite different upon returning, still muscular, but more slender than before. Upon his return, Zenk began feuding with Arn Anderson over the World Television Championship and later won the title. When the promotion changed its name to World Championship Wrestling in 1991, Zenk officially became the final World Television Champion under the NWA banner and the first under the WCW banner, but he later lost the title back to Anderson. Later that year, he, along with Dustin Rhodes and Big Josh, feuded with the York Foundation and the Fabulous Freebirds over the World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Zenk, Rhodes and Josh later won the title from the Freebirds before losing the title to the York Foundation, who would become the final champions. Zenk left WCW in early 1994 and finished his career in the independents in 1996.
Personal life
Zenk attended high school with fellow future pro wrestlers Nikita Koloff, Brady Boone, Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, John Nord, and Barry Darsow.
Now retired from wrestling, Zenk is currently working for a small Community Hedge Fund trading Convertible Bond arbitrage.
Following his retirement, Zenk's fans set up a tribute website - see external links below. The site also featured a weekly blog, "Tom Zenk's Column" in which Zenk made commentary about the current state of professional wrestling. He praised the wrestlers that treated him kindly over the years and blasted wrestlers and promoters who he felt had treated him poorly or unfairly or had attained their fame through underhanded tactics. Zenk was always especially critical of the McMahons, Triple H, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page and Hulk Hogan. The blog also often featured comically altered photos of the subjects of his discussion. The blog ended suddenly and Zenk never gave an explanation of why he stopped. The Tom Zenk website continues as a fan tribute.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- With Rick Martel
Championships and accomplishments
- Lutte Internationale
-
- NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Scott Doring
1The title's name was changed to the WCW World Television Championship due to WCW withdrawing from the NWA after Zenk won it, technically making him the last World Television Champion under the NWA banner and the first under the WCW banner.
References
External links
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