Tom Zenk entered the AWA (American Wrestling Alliance) in 1984 as a young rookie with an amateur wrestling background. He had been introduced to pro-wrestling by former Minnesota wrestler, promoter, and referee, Eddie Sharkey.  Sharkey ran a pro-wrestling school in Minnesota, and had helped train and begin the ring careers of The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal), Jesse Ventura, Bob Backlund, John Nord, and The Terminators, among others.
 
 

Eddie Sharkey (right) referees this early match.... featuring Tom Zenk

In early 1984, AWA was a thriving federation comprising much of wrestling's major talent.  The major cities and promoters included Denver (Gene Reed), Milwaukee (Dennis Hilgart), Chicago (Verne Gagne), San Francisco (Leo Nomellini), Winnipeg (Don Brinton) and Minneapolis-St Paul (Wally Karbo). Cards were offered on a less regular basis in smaller centers, particularly in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. In the same year the WWA promotion based in Indianapolis, Indiana merged with the AWA.
 

Nick Bockwinkel was reigning AWA Champion (managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan). Bockwinkel had in recent times defeated Mr. Saito, Jesse Ventura and Rick Martel in title challenges but was coming to the end of his championship reign. On February 23, 1984 he lost the title to Jumbo Tsuruta in Tokyo. Tsuruta in turn lost the title to Rick Martel (St. Paul Civic Centre, Minnesota, May 13, 1984).  Steve Regal was, at the time, AWA light heavyweight champion.
 
 

Also appearing on AWA circuits at this time were, Dick the Bruiser, Craig Carson, Scott Irwin, Sheik Adnan El Kaissey, Rick Gainer, Roger Kirby, "Steve O" [Steve Olsonoski], Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Rick Renslow, Billy Robinson,  Wilbur Snyder,  Larry Hennig, Chris Markoff, Brad Rheingans, "Mad Dog" Vachon, Natcho Verrera, Baron von Raschke, Woody Wilson, "Rock'n'Roll" Buck Zumhoff and Larry Zbyszko.

In the mid America  AWA rings "The Fabulous Ones" (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane ) were engaged in a wild vendetta with "The Zambuie Express" (managed by JJ Dillon). Jimmy Hart was managing Joe Le Duc, "Killer" Karl Krupp, Sabu and "The Bruise Brothers". Hart's newest protégé was Ric Rude (formerly Rick Rood) and his valet Angel.  Also appearing in AWA's Mid America rings were The Rock'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Rick Martin), Sabu, "The Jaguar", Randy Savage, Terry Taylor, "The A-Team", Art Crews, Terry Gibbs, Angelo Poffo, Tommy Gilbert and Eddie Gilbert - and the young Tom Zenk.