AWA BATTLE ROYAL
 
On February 7,1989 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Tom Zenk narrowly lost to Larry Zbyszko in an 18-man battle royal to determine the new AWA heavyweight title (vacated by Jerry Lawler).
 
includes extracts from a  report by Bob Smith, PWI, June 1989
 
 

"I came real close to getting rid of him [Zbyszko] in that battle royal, but once that belt got in his hands, he was going do everything possible to keep it, and that includes cheating."  
 

Battle Royal participants in order of elimination
 
Tommy Jammer, Ricky Rice, Mike Enos, Wayne Bloom, Steve Ray, Ken Patera, Akio Sato, Wahoo McDaniel, Manny Fernandez, Mike George, Derek Dukes, Paul Diamond, Greg Gagne, Pat Tanaka, Col. DeBeers, Sgt Slaughter...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"In typical Zbyszko fashion, he decided not to get involved in the action at all once the opening bell sounded.... He simply stayed out of everybody's way". 
 
 
 
 
 "Hey, with all those feuds going, why get involved?" laughed Zbyszko after the match. "I decided to just step aside and let those other bums rip each other apart. It was a major key in this victory, just like it was in Chicago." 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"All of the feuding contenders were eventually eliminated, as well as other stars such as Greg Gagne, Ken Patera, Mike George and Akio Sato. In the end, Zbyszko stared across the ring at Tom Zenk, who was also making a return to the AWA with this bout". 
 
"Zbyszko vs. Zenk: The man who remained standing would be crowned the new AWA champion." 
 
 
 
 
 
The fans were rooting for Zenk, and he gave it his very best. 
It seemed he would emerge the winner.
 
 
"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".

 
"As DeRusha recovered, Zenk continued to dominate." 
 
"Zenk attempted a flying body press 
as Zbyszko staggered near the ropes but 
Zbyszko caught Zenk and catapulted him 
over the top rope for the surprising victory."
 
 
 
Zybszko maintained a steady position in the top ten "most hated" wrestlers throughout 1989 and was eventually stripped of the title in 1990 for refusing to defend it in Japan.
 
 
 
 
To magazine report on Battle Royal
 
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