In 1990 Tom Zenk enjoyed both high and low points in his association with WCW.  

His tag combination with Brian Pillman split - or was split - after an initial push. 
  
Then, in July, at the Great American Bash, Zenk was required to job outrageously to the incoming Vader. 
  
Suddenly, on December 4 1990, Z-Man won the NWA/WCW World Television title from Arn Anderson in Atlanta, GA.

When 1990 began, it looked like the world - or at least the NWA's portion of it - belonged to Tom Zenk. The handsome "Z-Man" was part of a hot new tag team with Brian Pillman and the fans loved them.  

With Pillman's aerial tactics and Zenk's superb overall ability, the tandem captured the newly reinstated U.S. tag team title by winning a tournament in February. Zenk and Pillman were tabbed as the hottest new team of the year - until they were upended by the Midnight Express on May 19 in Washington, D.C.

Zenk realized he had to take stock of himself to get his career back on track, and that's exactly what he's done. He enjoyed a streak of more than 30 straight victories during the late-autumn weeks, then shocked the NWA by capturing the TV title from Arn Anderson. Associate Editor Eddie Ellner caught up with Zenk the day after he upset the Horseman for the belt. 
 

Ellner - Let's face it Zenk, those squeals I hear whenever you make your way to the ring give it all away. In fact, if it weren't for all the teenyboppers that beg their hard-working parents for ticket money, you probably wouldn't have any supporters at all.  

Tom Zenk - That shows what you know, Eddie. I have fans of all ages, and I think it's a gross oversimplification to say that only young girls root for me. In fact, if it wasn't for the support of all my great fans out there, I never would have been able to beat Anderson for the TV title. So get a life, Ellner.  

Ellner- Ooh, I've rally been put in my place haven't I? But I admit that your victory over Anderson ranks as a huge upset. What happened to you? How did you become such a winner after months of compiling a mediocre record?  

Tom Zenk - I think it's mainly because I lost sight of what my original goals were. For months, I did nothing but team with Brian Pillman, and we had an excellent run there for a while. When we captured the U.S. tag title, it looked as if I had finally found my niche in this sport.  

Ellner - What does that mean? Did you consider yourself a failure up to that point?  

Tom Zenk - No, that's not what I'm saying at all. It's just that, in the past few years, it seems like the rug always got pulled out from under me whenever I got some serious momentum going. A few years ago, it looked like my tag team with Rick Martel was about to capture the WWF World tag team title, but I left the WWF when I saw that Rick was turning into an arrogant creep. Then, in 1989, I set my sights on Larry Zbyszko's AWA World title, but Zbyszko never gave me the title matches I deserved.  

Ellner - So you pretty much felt like you were thwarted from reaching your title goals.  

Tom Zenk - Exactly. Like I said, every time I got it together - really got it together - something happened to make everything crash to the ground.  
That's why I was so excited when Brian and I got it together. From the very first moment we met each other, we were just like brothers. That harmony carried right over into the ring.  

Ellner - Oh, please.  

Tom Zenk - What's so bad about that, Ellner? I know that's hard for you to fathom, since you've probably never had any friends, but Brian and I got along great, and we reached our goal almost instantly by winning the U.S. tag title. For a while there, it looked as if nobody was ever going to beat us.  

Ellner - Until Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane came along, that is. The Midnight Express showed you pretty boys what a real tag team is about.  

Tom Zenk - Personally, I think we got a raw deal in that match. Lane and Eaton illegally double-teamed us, which lead to Eaton's pin on me. But something more important happened when Brian and I lost that match. It seemed to take all the fire right out of our team. I'd have to say that we were never the same after that.   

Ellner - How could you be? Sometimes you and Pillman would team up, and other times you both wrestled as singles. Personally, I think you two blamed each other for the title loss. 

Tom Zenk - That's not true at all, and you know it. But you are right in saying that we didn't keep a regular schedule for a few months. Sometimes we'd get in the mood to team, but other times we both wanted to pursue singles titles. I must admit that it's hard to become contenders when you compete so erratically. Finally, a few months ago, I made the decision to wrestle as a single, and stay a single. I have to admit it's the best choice I've made in a long, long time. I'm the TV champion now, aren't I?  

Ellner - Oh, joy. Now we can look forward to seeing your smiling puss on television every week. But how did you do it? How did a pandering simp like you ever beat a man's man like Arn Anderson? 

Tom Zenk - You talk about the Horsemen like they're still the dominant force in the NWA. What do you think this is, 1987? The Horsemen's time has passed, and everybody knows it. Look at what they've been up to lately. They tried an elaborate imposter plot to help Sid Vicious win the NWA World title from Sting, and that didn't work. Then they came up with that preposterous Black Scorpion [Ric Flair] masquerade, and that didn't work. They're desperate men, but all their grandiose plots and schemes haven't amounted to anything at all. What counts in this sport is ability and pride, and I have both. That's why I'm going to be TV champ for a long, long time.  

Ellner - Maybe so, maybe not. But in addition to Anderson and the other Horsemen, you have so many guys that are going to come after you that your head is going to spin like Linda Blair's in The Exorcist. I've even heard that Terry Taylor wants a shot at that TV belt.  
  

 

Tom Zenk - Terry Taylor? Another scientific wrestler? Hey, that's fine with me. After putting up with rule breakers for so long, it would be a pleasure to get in there and compete in a clean match for a change. If the NWA matchmakers declare Taylor the  number-one contender to my belt, I'll be more than happy to get in the ring with him. In fact, I'd like it to be known that I'm going to be the kind of champion the fans can look up to. If any wrestler - clean, dirty, or in between - wants a crack  at the belt, I'll be more than happy to put my signature on a contract. I believe that I'm one of the best wrestlers in the world, and this title proves it. But the only way to convince the public of it is to get in that ring and take on the best competition I can find. Then, after I've defeated all the big names, no one will ever take me lightly again - not even you, Ellner.  

Ellner - Give me a break! You're going to have to do a hell of a lot to convince me that you're any kind of champion, Zenk. You say you'll take on anybody, and that's great. But what if Pillman, your old partner, comes a knocking at the door.? Will you be so quick to offer your "brother" a title shot?  

'Tom Zenk' - Don't be such a wise guy. Hey, if Brian works his way into the title contention, and the promoters decide he's the number-one man, then I'll have no choice but to wrestle him.  Granted, that's one guy I truly respect and care about. I would prefer not to have to get in the ring with him. But if circumstances dictate it should happen, then so be it. Nobody ever said being a champion would be easy.   

Ellner - And nobody ever said this assignment was going to be fun - and it wasn't. Good luck during your stint as champion, Mr. Zenk. I have a feeling you're going to need it.  

Tom Zenk - I don't need luck from somebody like you, Ellner. As long as I have my real fans behind me, I'm all set. I'm ready for a long run as champion. Maybe then I'll even gain your respect - but I'm not counting on it.