Electrifying. Stupendous. These two words best describe the two hottest mat personalities in the sport today. Rick Martel and partner Tom Zenk, dubbed the "Can-Am Connection" by promoters seem clearly on their way to great heights in tag team competition in the World Wrestling Federation. Their array of maneuvers is impressive. At times during their matches, the moves they display are so spectacular that commentators and other reporters have had to consult them for proper labeling and identification. many grapplers have unsuccessfully attempted to duplicate the "Can-Am Connection's" ring repertoire. Combining their acrobatic maneuvers with their seemingly endless amount of enthusiasm and dedication to their craft, the WWF ta team championship belts appear destined to be around the waists of Martel and Zenk.
No hype, no Rock and Roll entrance music, no make-up or manager is needed to get the people interested in these two talented wrestlers. Word has spread far and fast about them. Wherever they have appeared, Martel and Zenk's ring skills have done their talking for them. Finding more talented athletes would be hard to come by.
Rick and Tom have not only captured the fans over by their wrestling abilities but have won the hearts of the female mat followers. The handsome, well groomed twosome, with all the traveling time they log, manage to continue to keep their bodies in excellent shape. At times Martel and Zenk have had to literally duck out of hotels by way of alley exits to avoid mobs of well-wishing women. On more than one occasion they have been physically attacked by ladies ripping their shirts and jackets. Being tagged "heart-throbs" would be an understatement.
Before forming such a potent ring partnership,
Martel and Zenk individually enjoyed a highly gratifying and rewarding
career in singles competition.
Rick Martel, a native of Montreal, Canada, hails from a family rich in wrestling tradition. Two of his brothers also had enjoyed success in the wrestling world. In the past few years, all the fruits of victory seem to have come Rick's way. Rick, along with then partner Tony Garea, captured the WWF tag championship. With his stint on the East Coast coming to a close, Martel signed up with the American Wrestling Association. When champion Nick Bockwinkel lost his prestigious title in Japan to Tommy 'Jumbo' Tsuruta, Rick was ranked the number one challenger in line for a title match. As the newly crowned heavyweight Tsuruta came stateside in his first title defense, the Japanese sensation was pinned by the "Canadian Spitfire" [05/13/84] During Martel's reign as AWA Heavyweight Champion, he may not have been as flashy or colorful as other almost cartoon-like so-called champs, but you wouldn't find an argument from mat experts concerning his abundance of wrestling talent. Stan Hansen was the man who eventually dethroned Martel in the New Jersey Meadowlands Arena on December 29, 1985.
Tom
Zenk has also worn gold around his waist. He is a former Pacific North
West heavyweight title holder.
Zenk, born in Minnesota, was trained well by the same man who has also brought such stars as Bob Backlund, The Road Warriors, and Rick Rude into the wrestling community - Mr. Eddie Sharkey.
When Martel and Zenk began to team up
on a trial basis in the AWA, something clicked. They functioned as a unit
that appeared to have wrestled together for years. They moved from the
AWA ring wars to the International Promotions head quartered in Quebec,
Canada. 
Shortly after landing in the Canadian promotions, the "Can-Am Connection" won their first tag championship together. They took on such noteworthy opponents as Abdullah the Butcher, Steve DiSalvo, Man Mountain Moore, The Sheik, Tarzan Tyler and Boris Zuchov. During Martel and Zenk's days as tag title holders they wore their belts with pride and dignity. They were and continue to be rightly called - 'the people's champions'.
Upon the "Can-Am Connection's" arrival in the WWF rings in late October, thrust upon the territory with an almost sudden impact, Martel and Zenk seemed to get closer to achieving their goal - winning the tag team championship belts. Current tag champs - The Hart Foundation: Brett Hart and Jim Neidhart, managed by Jimmy Hart, at times have acted reluctantly to signing a title match contract with Martel and Zenk. This is the showdown the fans and promoters continue to hope for. A signed contract would pit the two teams opposite one another and would surely secure an arena sell out anywhere.
Until a title match can be signed, sealed and delivered, Martel and Zenk keep busy battling the best the WWF has to offer. Challenges by teams of Nicolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik, Bob Orton Jr. and Don Muraco, along with "The Dream Team": Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake have all been met and the victories belonged to Martel and Zenk. It can't be much longer before WWF President Jack Tunney allows Jimmy Hart's champs to stop avoiding the contract signing.
On more than one occasion during matches taped for television broadcast, Martel has served as the color commentator alongside Canadian wrestling legend Edouard Carpentier. The two provide the audio analysis for WWF matches viewed in [Canada by] the predominantly French speaking audiences.
