Tom Zenk in All Japan 1987

Tom Zenk in Japan, 1987

Tom Zenk's Second Japan Tour 1987

'87 Real World's Strongest
Tag Team League 11-21-12-11

By mid 1987, it was clear to Zenk that the money promised by Martel wasn't coming. Worse, he had discovered that Martel had negotiated their WWF contract to favor himself financially. Zenk responded by resigning from the WWF.

Zenk now found himself effectively cut out from wrestling in the US until all outstanding contractual issues with WWF had been resolved. Accordingly, he returned to All Japan for the prestigious and lucrative 1987 Real World Tag Team League Tournament. The tournament, held over the period 11/21 to 12/ 11, 1987, included (as well as Tom Zenk) the following US wrestlers - Stan Hansen, Terry Gordy, Bruiser Brody, Colonel Debeers; Jimmy Snuka, Abdullah the Butcher, T.N.T, Dory Funk Jr, Terry Funk, Mark Youngblood and Chris Youngblood.

There were a total of 12 tag teams. Each team competed against the 11 others, resulting in 66 matches held in 16 locations over 18 days.

In the tournament final, (December 11, 1987 in Tokyo), Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Bruiser Brody and Jimmy Snuka. Tom Zenk and his assigned partner 'The Terminator' ended the tournament in 11th place (see table below).

In his 1988 interview, Zenk noted some of the problems he experienced partnering 'The Terminator.'

Tom Zenk -Well I was teamed up with The Terminator. Our styles didn't really click, though, since he works like Demolition and I like fast, high flying moves. He was also a bit green but, I guess the promoter figured that I'm relatively new in the business so it would work. I had a great time, though. It's always nice working for a full house and every night the arenas were packed (Wrestling Fury, June 1988).

Tom Zenk and Marc Laurinitas (aka 'The Terminator') - Japan 11/1987

This comparison between 'The Terminator' and 'Demolition' was an accurate one. 'Demolition' was a WWF copy of 'The Road Warriors', while The Terminator was Marc Laurinitas, brother of Road Warrior 'Animal' (Joe Laurinitas).

Zenk, The Terminator and the Youngbloods were massively outweighed by other wrestlers in the tournament - men of the seniority of Giant Baba, Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen and Dory and Terry Funk. (Go here for Zenk's account of his match with Bruiser Brody).

Details of the 12 team tournament scores are given in the table below. Click here to view the tournament booking sheets.

Laurinidas, TNT and Tom Zenk - Japan, November 1987

12.12.87 end of the tournament and departure.

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