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Thomas Erwin Zenk (November 30, 1958 – December 9, 2017) was an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He was best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1986 to 1987 and with World Championship Wrestling from 1989 to 1994.

Early life

Zenk attended Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. His 1976 graduating class included fellow future professional wrestlers Nikita Koloff, Brady Boone, Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, John Nord, and Barry Darsow.

Bodybuilding career

Zenk placed third in a Mr. North Country bodybuilding contest in October 1980, then won Mr. Twin Cities in May 1981. That July, he won the Mr. Minnesota triple crown, titling in the heavyweight, overall and most muscular categories.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1984-1986)

After Road Warrior Animal met him at a bodybuilding contest and introduced him to wrestling, Zenk started in 1984 for the American Wrestling Association (AWA), before moving to the National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW). Here he feuded with Bobby Jaggers. At Rick Martel's request, he moved to Montreal to work for Lutte Internationale. Here, the two formed The Can-Am Connection, which later appeared in the World Wrestling Federation.

World Wrestling Federation (1986–1987)

In October 1986, Zenk was signed by the World Wrestling Federation. He was partnered with Rick Martel as The Can-Am Connection. In the opening bout of WrestleMania III on March 29, 1987, The Can-Am Connection defeated Don Muraco and Bob Orton, Jr..

The popular team pushed as the possible successors to The Hart Foundation as the World Tag Team Champions, but this push ended abruptly when Zenk left the promotion.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1986–1989)

Between 1987 and 1989, Zenk made multiple tours of Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).

American Wrestling Association (1989)

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.

World Championship Wrestling (1989–1994)

After receiving several shots at the AWA title, Zenk moved on to World Championship Wrestling in 1989. As "The Z-Man", he debuted at Clash of the Champions VIII that September 12.

In 1990, Zenk formed a tag team with Brian Pillman. In February 1990, they won the vacant NWA United States Tag Team Championship, defeating The Fabulous Freebirds in the finals of a tournament. They went on to feud with The Midnight Express, who won the Championship from them in May 1990.

During this time, Zenk tore a muscle while weightlifting and took several months off to recover. He appeared 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 re-lost the title to Anderson on January 7, 1991. Later that year, Z-Man, 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 in October.

At Halloween Havoc 1991, Zenk lost to the debuting WCW Phantom.

In 1993, Zenk teamed with Ricky Steamboat as "Dos Hombres".

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1994)

After Zenk's release from WCW in May 1994, he participated in All Japan Pro Wrestling's (AJPW) Summer Action tour that July, and their Giant Series tour in September.

American Wrestling Federation (1996)

In August 1996, Zenk joined the American Wrestling Federation (AWF), where he finished his career in October.

Personal life

Zenk was the son of Lois and Robert Sr., and had three siblings: Robert Jr., Kathryn and James. His father died on February 20, 2018.

Death

Zenk died in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, on December 9, 2017, at the age of 59, from arterial sclerosis and cardiomegaly. He was interred at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Carver, Minnesota.

Championships and accomplishments

• All Japan Pro Wrestling
  • World's Strongest Tag Determination League Fighting Spirit Award (1986) – with Rick Martel
• Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling
  • NWA United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Brian Pillman
  • NWA/WCW World Television Championship (1 time)
  • WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dustin Rhodes and Big Josh
  • NWA United States Tag Team Championship Tournament (1990) – with Brian Pillman
• 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
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #38 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 1992
  • PWI ranked him #343 of the Top 500 Singles Wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Rookie of the Year (1984) tied with Jushin Liger

1. The 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

1. "Obituary for Thomas Erwin Zenk". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
2. Scott Keith (2008). Dungeon of Death:: Chris Benoit and the Hart Family Curse. Kensington Books. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-8065-3562-3.
3. Steven Johnson; Greg Oliver (2010). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. ECW Press. p. 207. ISBN 978-1-55490-284-2.
4. Dave Meltzer; Bret Hart (2004). Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers. Sports Publishing. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-58261-817-3.
5. ^ "Tom Zenk, of Can-Am Connection, dies at 59", by Kari Williams, Slam! Wrestling
6. Dave Meltzer (July 2003). Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
7. Brian Shields (2010). Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s. Simon & Schuster. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-4516-0467-2.
8. Will, Gary; Royal Duncan (1994). "United States: 19th century & widely defended titles - NWA, WWF, AWA, IWA, ECW: AWA World Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (3 ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 23. ISBN 0-9698161-1-1.
9. ^ Cawthon, Graham (2014). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 4: World Championship Wrestling 1989-1994. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 1499656343.
10. ^ Scott Keith (1 November 2008). Dungeon of Death:: Chris Benoit and the Hart Family Curse. Kensington Books. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-8065-3562-3.
11. Scott E. Williams (2006). Hardcore History: The Extremely Unauthorized Story of ECW. Sports Publishing. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-59670-021-5.
12. R.D. Reynolds; Bryan Alvarez (1 October 2014). The Death of WCW: 10th Anniversary Edition of the Bestselling Classic - Revised and Expanded. ECW Press. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-77090-642-6.
13. Harris M. Lentz III (2015). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland & Company. p. 331. ISBN 978-1-4766-0505-0.
14. Tom Zenk's matches, from WrestlingData.com
15. "Robert James Zenk", Minneapolis Star Tribune
16. Larry Csonka (February 23, 2018). "Tom Zenk's Cause of Death Revealed". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
17. "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
18. Will, Gary; Royal Duncan (1994). "United States: 19th century & widely defended titles - NWA, WWF, AWA, IWA, ECW: NWA United States Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (3 ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 23. ISBN 0-9698161-1-1.
19. Will, Gary; Royal Duncan (1994). "United States: 19th century & widely defended titles - NWA, WWF, AWA, IWA, ECW: NWA Television Title". Wrestling Title Histories (3 ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 23. ISBN 0-9698161-1-1.
20. Will, Gary; Royal Duncan (1994). "United States: 19th century & widely defended titles - NWA, WWF, AWA, IWA, ECW: WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories (3 ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 23. ISBN 0-9698161-1-1.
21. "Canadian International Tag Team title history". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
22. Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Oregon & Washington) Portland: NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 315–317. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
23. Duncan, Royal; Gary Will (2006). "(Oregon & Washington) Portland: NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 317–320. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
24. Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Awards « Tom Zenk « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
25. "Wrestling Information Archive - Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". 2008-06-16. Archived from the original on 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2017-04-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

• Official website
• Tom Zenk's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database
• Tom Zenk at IMDb

• 1958 births
• 2017 deaths
• American male professional wrestlers
• NWA/WCW World Television Champions
• People from Robbinsdale, Minnesota
• Professional wrestlers from Minnesota