Tom Zenk , The Z-Man - magazine articles from 1988-9

TOM ZENK CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 1988 - 1989

RETURN TO AWA, JAPAN TOURS AND ENTRY TO

NWA - WCW

By Spring 1988, with contractual obligations to WWF and Vince McMahon resolved, Tom Zenk was free to return to full time wrestling . What followed was a very busy two years. There was a Spring 1988 tour to Japan, a mid year return to AWA, another tour of Japan; a return to the AWA, near victory of the AWA world heavyweight championship in battle royal (Feb, 1989); yet another Japan tour (April 1989) and finally a lucrative contract with NWA (July/August 1989).

All this ring activity generated a lot of press - some of which can be accessed below.

Click on the icon to access the full article.

Tom Zenk is Back Returns to AWA glory days! The future looks bright for Tom Zenk as he returns to the AWA, hoping to make it big where his career started. With a little luck and with his incredible skills backing him up, Zenk is bound to succeed and turn even more heads in the process. - Jeff Hughes, Superstar Wrestlers, June 1988
Why Tom Zenk Must Win The AWA World Title As one half of the Can-Am Connection in the WWF, Tom Zenk was forced to take a back seat to the more experienced Rick Martel. Now that he's in the AWA, Zenk is out to prove that he's just as good as his former partner by winning the world title - just as Martel did! - 1988
Tom Zenk narrowly misses out as .... Larry Zbyszko Wins the AWA World Title ...In A Battle Royal! Zenk fought valiantly against Zbyszko, gaining a solid advantage. Unfortunately, both men collided with referee Gary DeRusha, who was knocked out for almost an entire minute. Zenk had Zbyszko covered for almost 30 seconds, but DeRusha was still shaking off the effects of the crash and couldn't count the pin on Zbyszko in time - Bob Smith, PWI, June 1989
Super Star Interview Tom Zenk This article makes considerable play of Tom Zenk's nomadism ('where will you be tomorrow?') and compares him to Bam Bam Bigelow - another wrestler who rarely spent long in any federation. While this frequent movement guaranteed a degree of independence, and a formidable breadth of experience, it often prevented Zenk from establishing himself as a title contender. Considering this, Zenk's record of 6 gold belts is a considerable feat - by Bob Smith, Wrestling Superstars, Fall 1989
Tom "The Z-Man" Zenk Headed For A Championship! Getting out and getting his job done, quickly and efficiently, is the "Z-Man", Tom Zenk's modus operandi. In the NWA, his job is to win a major championship belt. The skill and tenacity he displays in the ring have shown the wrestling world that Tom Zenk won't fail in reaching his goal - by Don Laible, Wrestling's Main Event, 1990
Z-Man Tom Zenk NWA Sleeper - Future Classic "Z-man" Tom Zenk has spent months in the shadows of the superstars, but that doesn't mean he's not good enough to attain greatness. Don't be fooled: Zenk could be World champion someday, and the NWA's top stars know it - by Andy Rodriguez, Wrestling Classics, May 1990
The Z-Man Back and Better Than Ever Higher television ratings have coincided with Zenk's appearance in the NWA. More fans are tuning into the telecasts since "The Z-Man" arrived on the scene. His training, which consists of four visits to the fitness center per week - and approaching every match as if it were his last - have made "The Z-Man" the complete package - by Don Laible, Wrestling World, May 1990.

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