Tom Zenk Biography

Thomas Erwin "Tom" Zenk (born on November 30, 1958) is a former American professional wrestler, also known as The Z-Man. He is a former Mr. Minnesota Bodybuilder

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Zenk started wrestling in 1984 for the AWA, before moving to the NWA's Pacific Northwest territory. Here he feuded with Bobby Jaggers. At Rick Martel's request, Zenk moved to Montreal to work for the International Wrestling Association (IWA). Here, the two formed The Can-Am Connection, which later appeared in the WWF.

Between 1987 and 1994, Zenk made nine tours of Japan, working for both AJPW and NJPW.

World Wrestling Federation

Zenk joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) with Martel in late 1986, as The Can-Am Connection. They defeated the tag team of Don Muraco and Bob Orton, Jr. in the opening bout of WrestleMania III, on March 29, 1987. The popular team pushed as the likely successors to The Hart Foundation as the World Tag Team Champions, but this push ended abruptly when Zenk left the promotion, allegedly over a contract dispute.

Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling

Zenk 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 moved on to Jim Crockett Promotions (later renamed World Championship Wrestling) in 1989. Zenk (as The Z-Man) debuted at the first Halloween Havoc event in 1989. He soon formed a tag team with Brian Pillman, won the United States Tag Team Championship, and began 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 took several months off to recover. He appeared notably more slender upon returning. Z-Man then feuded with Arn Anderson over the World Television Championship, eventually winning the title. When the promotion changed its name to World Championship Wrestling in 1991, Z-Man officially became the final NWA World Television Champion and the first WCW World Television Champion. He lost the title back to Anderson on January 7, 1991.

Later that year, Z-Man (along with Dustin Rhodes and Big Josh) feuded with The York Foundation and The Fabulous Freebirds over the World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Z-Man, Rhodes and Josh won the title from the Freebirds in August, and lost it to The York Foundation (who would be the final champions) in October. Zenk left WCW in early 1994 and finished his wrestling career on the independent circuit 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.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves

• Missile dropkick
• Superkick
• Flying crossbody

• Signature moves

• Dropkick
• Sleeper hold
• Slingshot splash

• With Rick Martel or Brian Pillman

• Double dropkick

Championships and accomplishments

• Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling

• NWA United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Brian Pillman
• NWA/WCW World Television Championship (1 time)¹
• WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dustin Rhodes and Big Josh

• Lutte Internationale

• Canadian International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dan Kroffat

• Pacific Northwest Wrestling

• NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Scott Doring

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• Rookie of the Year (1984) tied with Jushin Liger

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.