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Tom Zenks' wrestling lineage

Tom Zenk's wrestling career bridges several extraordinary chapters of wrestling's history.

As a journeyman he wrestled Nick Bockwinkel, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens and other men who in their time had wrestled legends like Lou Thesz.

Lou Thesz on
Tom Zenk

"There aren't many wrestlers like Tom Zenk around anymore. I remember when he was a rookie back in 1984, he used to take quite a beating at the hands of some rugged veterans. An experience like that would drive lesser youngsters into early retirement, but Tommy persevered. He's improved every year, and his physique looks better every time I see him. Tommy's also a great young man to know outside the ring, and I hope his hard work pays off soon."

Lou Thesz held the NWA World title six times during a 50 year wrestling career. Many consider him the greatest all-round wrestler in history.

In AWA, WWF, WCW, AJPW etc., Tom Zenk went on to wrestle with or against names such as Bruiser Brody, Jimmy Snuka, Dory Funk Jnr, Terry Funk, Bob Orton, Harley Race, Stan Hansen, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Brian Pillman, Ricky Steamboat, Butch Reed, Rick Martel, Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine,Tony Atlas, Paul Orndorf, Paul Roma, The Road Warriors, The Midnight Express, The Freebirds, Kroffat and Furnas, Cactus Jack, Arn Anderson, Kamala, Abdullah the Butcher, Giant Baba, Don Muraco, The Iron Sheik, Larry Zbyszko, Curt Hennig, Vader, Hall and Nash, etc.

Nick Bockwinkel on
Tom Zenk

"Tom Zenk is an intelligent, well-rounded athlete who comes along once every decade. Whatever field he chose to enter, he would have scored high marks in. He has taken on brawlers, wrestlers with martial arts backgrounds and those acrobatically inclined and not had too many problems. Adaptability has been a key to his winnings. There's no hesitation in Tom's approach, he's got good instincts, that's what separates him from the rest of the pack."

Nick Bockwinkel held the AWA World Heavyweight title 4 times; the AWA Tag Team title 4 times (with Ray Stevens) and once with Masa Saito. In addition he held the US Championship 3 times and was twice California Champion.He is regarded as one of the sport's most outspoken men

He has appeared on the same cards as Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant and Kerry von Erich. He has been present at some of contemporary wrestling's most significant moments - including the first pro-wrestling match on EPSN, the revival of WWF at Wrestlemania III; and the birth of WCW on TBS.

Jack Brisco on
Tom Zenk

"What a wrestler Zenk has become .... He took a lot of criticism when he left the Can-Am Connection a couple of years ago, but this is one man who should never relegate himself to tag matches ever again. He's got the perfect body for wrestling, and he's got enough stamina and skill to take on any man of any style. There's only a handful of wrestlers I think will rule the sport in the '90s and Zenk is one of the few who will"

Jack Brisco held the NWA World title twice and was NWA World tag champion on three occasions partnering his brother Jerry Brisco.

More recently he defeated Steve Austin, Mick Foley (Mankind/Cactus Jack), Mark Callas (The Undertaker) Kevin Nash and Scott Hall and wrestled with or against most of the sport's contemporary and emerging stars including Chris Benoit, Shane Douglas, Dean Malenko, Chris Candido and others.

Despite ranging across different periods and different styles of wrestling (his early career was fashioned by Olympian Brad Rheingans and traditionalist Verne Gagne and championed by future ECW promoter Paul Heyman), Tom Zenk has fashioned and maintained his own distinctive style, drawing inspiration from and adding strength to a particular wrestling tradition.

Giant Baba on Tom Zenk

"Tom Zenk reminds me of the late great Antonio Rocca, but equally as strong in his arms and his legs."

Giant Baba was 3 times NWA World Heavyweight Champion and 12 times a NWA international tag team titleholder. He is the founder of All Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Arn Anderson on Tom Zenk

"Forget the great physique: he can flat out wrestle. "

Arn Anderson, a member of the Four Horsemen, held the WCW Television (4 times) and World Tag Team Champion
(5 times).

Lex Luger on Tom Zenk

"He's good.... Damn good."

Prof. Toru Tanaka on Tom Zenk

"It goes against many of my previous statements to say it but Zenk shows promise for a scientific wrestler.... he ventured to Japan and fared extremely well against many of the Orient's finest competitors....He should follow the lead of his former partner, Rick Martel, who now is enjoying the spoils of success since learning to bend the rulebook a bit more."

Prof. Tanaka was three times WWF World tag team champ (with Mr Fuji).

Capt. Lou Albano on Tom Zenk

"What a credit this kid is to this great sport. He's handsome, so all the young girls flock to the arenas to see him, but there's much more to Tom than just a pretty face. He's got blazing speed, impressive strength, and an incredible amount of knowledge for such a young guy ...."

Capt Lou Albano guided 13 tag teams to an unmatched 16 World tag team titles

Steve Keirn

"He has seen it all. No matter what position you put him in he could handle the ball. ...He has all the tools of a well experienced pro plus he's paid his dues... he could be the main event for any company and draw money with the best of them. As promoter of Florida Championship Wrestling, I could have made Tom an icon here, as a top wrestler with very little effort. And I say this as an opinion backed up with 25 years in this business. "

Steve Keirn is best remembered as one half of The Fabulous Ones tag team and as an expert in crowd psychology and manipulation.

Sting on Tom Zenk

"He's a man on a mission ... Tom is a real threat to every belt round here."

Wrestlers whose ring ability, style and persona Tom Zenk most nearly resembles -

Lou Thesz
Nick Bockwinkel
Verne Gagne
Jack Brisco
Rick Steamboat
Rick Martel
Phil Lafon
Brian Pillman
Dean Malenko
Chris Benoit

" Tom Zenk is....a nonpareil [unrivalled] athlete ... [with] dashing good looks." -The PWI 500, December 1992

" Tom Zenk .... stunning" - The PWI 500,
December 1991

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