Exciting, well built, talented and agile are all words that could be used to describe the Z-Man. Since he became a professional wrestler, Tom Zenk has enjoyed success in such promotions as the PWA [PNW], AWA, All Japan and WWF. The latest successes of the Z-Man have been taking place in the rings of the WCW where winning matches and titles seems to just come naturally for him.
 

When "Z-Man" Tom Zenk arrived in the WCW many fans stood up and took notice of him. Here was a man who was not only easy on the eye, he also had an impressive past. His excellent record spoke for itself.

Zenk began his career in the wrestling hot-bed of Minneapolis where he first was a successful amateur body-builder prior to becoming a professional wrestler.  Zenk even went so far as to win the prestigious Mr. Minnesota contest (a national level qualifier) in 1984*. Shortly after winning the title, Tom decided he wanted to pursue other interests and turned his attention to professional wrestling.
 

He relied on Minneapolis based "trainer of wrestling stars" Eddie Sharkey to show him the ropes and get him started. Zenk's career took off fast. Before long he was competing in the WWF as a member of the tag team known as the Can-Am Connection along with Rick Martel. The dynamic duo was just on the verge of winning the tag team championships when Tom Zenk mysteriously disappeared from the promotion. It was later learned that Zenk had felt Rick Martel was hurting his career and overshadowing him so he decided to venture out as his own wrestler.

After spending some time headlining for various independent promotions*, Zenk found his way into the AWA at a time when it was still a fairly competitive organization. Before he completed his stint in the AWA, he came inches away from winning the world championship from Larry Zbyszko. Zenk, however, came up short because his skill and abilities in the ring were not enough to overcome Zbyszko's treachery and illegal tactics. Through it all though, the Minnesota native learned valuable lessons from wrestling the veteran champion. He was now well versed in how to competitively fight a shrewd rule breaker.

When Zenk entered the WCW he was billed as the "Z-Man". Tom dabbled in singles wrestling for a few months before forming a team with another young rising star, "Flyin" Brian Pillman. Pillman and Zenk worked extremely well together and before long they were receiving title matches. They made the most of their title opportunities and before long were the proud owners of the United States championship belts. The duo defended their titles with the utmost integrity but eventually were defeated by the Midnight Express. After they lost the belts, Brian and Tom decided it would be best for both of their careers to stop teaming for a period of time and concentrate on a singles career.

For the next several months, Zenk slowly and quietly won match after match and worked his way up the rankings. After he defeated impressive newcomer JW Storm in a number of matches, Tom was granted a title shot against World Television Champion Arn Anderson.

For some time, Anderson, along with Barry Windham, had been distracted by his feud with Doom. As a result of this, he neglected his title and brought its level of prestige way, way, down. Subsequently, the belt was dubbed "the forgotten title of the WCW" by many insiders and Arn Anderson became quite sloppy in his title defenses. Perhaps he was still thinking about his feud with Doom or maybe he was simply out wrestled, but when the bell sounded for the end of his title match against the Z-Man, Anderson no longer had a title to neglect.

After he won the belt, the Z-Man's next goal was to bring the respectability of the title back. Since winning the belt he has been regularly defending it against a variety of top challengers. As a result of his hard work, the TV title now carries prestige once again and is a high priority for many of Tom Zenk's challengers.

It doesn't matter whether he has a title or not; one thing is definite about the Z-Man, Tom Zenk. He will continue to excite and thrill fans all across the country. And if his career continues on the same fast track it has been following, Zenk will win even more titles and become quite a success in professional wrestling.