For most AWA fans the obvious question of 1989 must have been - why was the unpopular Zbyszko AWA champion while the talented and popular Zenk was not?  

In other words, why was Zbyszko getting a 'push' from the bookers while Zenk was relegated to second position in the federation?  

The supposed "explanation" came in the following on-air  exchange between Larry Nelson and Lee Marshall - front men on AWA's "Championship Wrestling" (ESPN, May 6, 1989).  

Lee Marshall - "People are just wondering why I said what I said about Tom Zenk which was that I didn't think he could be focused long enough to be champion and that he was kinda the athlete that never wins the big one". 

Larry Nelson - "I want to give you credit for honest commentary. As far as I'm concerned you ought to be respected for those views". 

This didn't go down well with fans who bombarded Marshall with "hate mail".  Zenk had only recently returned to AWA and was a tremendous hit with fans. 

Marshall seeking to emulate the Ventura-style "bad guy" in the "good cop/bad cop " Championship Wrestling commentary team was more than happy to stoke the controversy (even at someone else's expense) and returned to the issue the following week -  

Lee Marshall - "I'm not saying that Tom Zenk isn't a spectacular athelete..I'm saying that Tom...let me put it this way .... There are guys that have the hearts to be champions Gail Sayer, Oral Herscheizer... I don't think Zenk has the heart to be a champion". 

But neither 'heart' nor wrestling ability were at issue here -  doing what you're told for modest paydays were the keys to becoming champion. It seems that while other people had plans for what Tom Zenk should or should not be doing in 1989,  Zenk himself was still pursuing an independent line. 

And this sometimes led to an unhappy front office.  

Front office discontent surfaced in a way calculated to damage a wrestler's reputation with the public.  And to "explain" why success was not coming to a popular and  talented - but independent - wrestler. 

However, as Steve Keirn points out  (in a upcoming article on Tom Zenk in these pages) independence and integrity were integral to Zenk's personality and work 
style - 

Steve Keirn - "Tom had all the tools it takes...but he didn't like to be told what to do. He didn't want to play the parts the promoters wanted him to, so they found someone who would.That was his Minnesota mindset .... expressing his opinion no matter what it cost him".  
   
So for the first six months of 1989 Tom Zenk wrestled Zbyszko and beat him again and again in title matches up and down the country - except that maybe one night the ref had been 'accidentally' knocked out or maybe another night Larry was disqualified  - and the win didn't count. 

Quite soon, enough was enough -  
"It's nothing against the AWA, but as long as Zbyszko's champion, nobody's gonna get a fair shot" Zenk told PWI in mid 1989. PWI went on to report -  

"Zenk is hoping to sign shortly and start in the NWA by August or early September. 
 
 

 

"I'm the Z-Man. I've just joined the NWA because that's where all the top talent is coming, right here, in the NWA. Lex Luger, Ric Flair, all the top talent in the NWA ...The Freebirds.... I don't care who it is....I'm here to make a name for myself in professional wrestling, right here in the NWA.  

...Come one, come all, I'm starting myself on the bottom and I know its a long way up the ladder to the top and that's just where I'm headed".  

The November 1989 issue of NWA Wrestling Wrap-Up: 

"Tom Zenk, the legendary 'Z-Man', is making his mark in the NWA and has come on very strong.  So far, he is undefeated and looking for even tougher competition.   

The former Mr. Minnesota is in outstanding physical condition, standing 6'5" [ should be 6'2"] and weighing in at 255 solid pounds.   

Zenk recently told us - 

'A lot of people might recognize me because I've wrestled in other organizations.  But the reason I am now here in the NWA is that this is where the toughest wrestling takes place.  Everybody knows that.  The only way I could prove myself as a world ranked wrestler is to come here and give it my best.  I'm starting at the bottom and working my way to the top.  I don't care who has the belts.  Luger, Flair, Muta, I don't care who it is.  I'm here to make a name for myself.' 

In fact, Pillman and Z-Man have tagged together on occasions and their record as a tag team is perfect.   

Having recently cracked the NWA Top Ten, we wish the Z-Man good luck in his quest, and look forward to his getting some title shots in the very near future.  

He has the sure look of a winner in our book!" 

NWA Wrestling Wrap-Up provided a similarly worded wrap-up:  

"The 'Z-Man', Tom Zenk, is still standing tall and climbing the NWA ladder.   

The former Mr. Minnesota is in outstanding physical condition, standing 6'5" and weighing 255 solid pounds.  

He handled Mike Rotunda at Halloween Havoc '89 and is looking for even tougher competition now.   

Zenk recently told us - 

'I'm  starting at the bottom and working my way to the top.  I don't care who has the belts, Luger, Flair, Muta.  I'm here to make a name for myself.' 

We look forward to watching his career progress.   

The Z-Man has the look of a winner in our book!"