Re Terry Taylor's departure - "Taylor's ability, size, charisma, age experience and ring savvy is roughly the equivalent of Bret Hart, now the No 4 or 5 babyface in North America. The difference is Hart hasn't been as unfortunate as Taylor as far as the way those in charge directed his career." (WON 10/05/92).  Meltzer uses the word "unfortunate" which allows him to side-step the whole issue of cronyism and nepotism in wrestling. Meanwhile a reader from Orange California is more forthright -  " I couldn't believe [Watts] let Terry Taylor go. He's a great wrestler who has been treated shabbily by both the WWF and WCW. It really makes me mad, but I guess that's what will continue to happen until there's a wrestlers' union."

The July 1992 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated (33, 35), in an article called "The Best of the Best" notes the findings of a survey on finishing holds and maneuvers -  "70% said Tom Zenk has the best Flying Bodypress; 64% said he has the best Sleeperhold; and 81% said he has the
best Sunset Flip."

PWI December 1992 lists Tom Zenk at # 38 in the top 500 wrestlers in North American wrestling - putting him among the 15 top WCW wrestlers listed. Yet Zenk continues to be buried by the booking team of Bill Watts and Dusty Rhodes who are more intent on promoting their sons to the top babyface spots. After two years of preferential booking by his father, Dustin Rhodes makes #37 on the list but neither Erik Watts nor Dallas Page make the top 500. Van Hammer who is receiving a massive push from Rodes is listed at #204.  In Fall 1992, Watts decides to bury Zenk further by teaming him with Tom Brandi (aka 'Johnny Gunn' listed by PWI at #250).

Erik Watts wins WON's editor's personal award as 1992's Most Overrated Wrestler and his push by father Bill Watts is rated as 1992's Worst Gimmick - the citation " More than enough has been written about how silly the push is and more will be written because you can't make someone [i.e. Bill Watts] listen who lives 24 hours a day wearing ear muffs and living in a different year than everyone else.... Third prize winner is Van Hammer. His push is the most ironic of all. ..the newcomer Watts pushes harder than anyone besides his son is a 34 year-old non-athlete, who really used to be a hair dresser, and can't work a lick ..." (WON 12/28/92).

Date	Location/Event	Match up	Comments
xx	xx	x	WON October 5, 1992 reports that Watts is eliminating medical insurance and workers compensation benefits  from wrestlers signing or re-signing new contracts with WCW. In the same week, Rick Steiner undergoes surgery for a badly torn pectoralis major muscle.
x	x	x	Both federations are drawing low houses and low ratings - According to Meltzer "wrestling overall is clearly in the midst of its deepest depression in decades" (WON 10/05/92).
x	x	x	New Japan announces the complete lineup for the 1992 tag team tournament which takes place from 10/8 - 10/21...The team includes US wrestlers, Big Van Vader, Scott Norton, Bam Bam Bigelow, Tom Zenk and Jim Neidhart.
x	x	x	"Expect a steady stream of new angles on television on a weekly basis a la Dusty Rhodes' 1988 booking with people turning so fast that only the hardcores can keep up.....the Van Hammer video was what the fast-forward button on the VCR was specifically designed for, Brian Pillman needs a lot more coaching on talking as a heel before they send him out to do extended color commentary during a match..." (WON 10/05/92).
x	x	x     Arena match vs Tex Slazenger, 1992	(WON 10/05/92) A reader writes "How can you have a more bland boring, nothing guy on top than [Steve]Austin."  Re conditions in the WWF, Meltzer notes " The WWF doesn't pay big bucks for long-term deals. They offer two-year contracts that guarantee about $2,250 per year and the rest is up to the position guys are on the card, the gate, how many bookings they get, etc. Because they don't guarantee money, as has generally been the case in this business, Watts feels he can compete by offering per night deals that do guarantee how much the wrestler would be paid per appearance. If the WWF was offering big money guarantees, Watts wouldn't have the leverage to try and not renew existing deals."  Re Terry Taylor's departure - "Taylor's ability, size, charisma, age experience and ring savvy is roughly the equivalent of Bret Hart, now the No 4 or 5 babyface in North America. The difference is Hart hasn't been as unfortunate as Taylor as far as the way those in charge directed his career." (WON 10/05/92). Meltzer's  use of  the word "unfortunate" allows him to side step the whole issue of cronyism and nepotism in wrestling. Meanwhile a reader from Orange California is more forthright " I couldn't believe [Watts] let Terry Taylor go. He's a great wrestler who has been treated shabbily by both the WWF and WCW. It really makes me mad, but I guess that's what will continue to happen until there's a wrestlers' union."
x	x	x	WON 10/05/92 reports initial steps to forming Pillman and Austin as a heel tag team after early attempt to push Austin as a Ric Flair clone fail.
xxx	x	x	"Morale remains at roughly the same level as it's been, with most expecting that the key performers whose contracts expire will be finding new places to work rather than stay under their new system..Tony Atlas has been talked with about coming in for the role Butch Reed was originally supposed to fill.... Super Invader (Hercules) was given notice... I believe six wrestlers including Sting, Rude and Simmons were all fined $1,000 for "work not up to par" (WON 10/05/92).
xxxxx	xxxxxxx	10/28/92 Danville, Illinois Zenk and Bagwell vs Vader and Austin handheld video from  Tom  Zenk Collection, 1992 coming soon	"more details on the new contracts (1) upon signing the company owns the rights to the wrestler's ring name and likeness in perpetuity (in other words, forever). While this is hard to believe, I was told specifically there is no clause in this contract calling for residuals derived from using that name and likeness: (2) The company can give the wrestler 30 days notice to relocate (in other words, with 30 days written notice, the company has the right to get the wrestler to move --it is said this is being done to get everyone to move to Atlanta since there are several wrestlers living out of Charlotte [although] the situation isn't stable enough to warrant packing up everything and moving to Atlanta. (3) The company has the right to book the wrestler to a third party....another promotion anywhere in the world. (4) The top dollar as stipulated in the contract is $750 per night. Another $250 per night is listed as performance incentive bonus...which makes offers from outside parties look even more attractive than they may have. (5) It is specifically spelled out that in the case of injury, even life threatening injury suffered on the job, that the wrestler is signing away legal recourse against the company in regard to lost wages or paying medical bills."
xxx	xxx		The Steiners meet with Watts to discuss contract renewals - it "ended up less than amicable with them storming out of Watts' office." (WON 10/12/92).
10/01/92	Altoona, PA (1,250 crowd)	Tom Zenk and Scott Steiner  d. Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton	Erik Watts beats Diamond Dallas Page.  Meanwhile Dustin Rhodes is teaming with Sting for whatever 'rub-off' he can get.
Friday 10/02/92	D.C. Armory, Washington, DC (2,000 crowd)	Tom Zenk and Scott Steiner  d. by Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton	as Anderson pinned Zenk
Saturday 10/03/92	Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg, Virginia  (1,650 crowd)	Tom Zenk d. by Steve Austin	Erik Watts beats Diamond Dallas Page. Dustin Rhodes still  teaming with Sting
10/04/92	Bluefield, WV (1,400 crowd)	Tom Zenk and Shane Douglas d. Dick Slater and Greg Valentine	Erik Watts beats Diamond Dallas Page. Dustin Rhodes still  teaming with Sting
x	x	x	Bill Watts is  now fully implementing  his 'old and green' recruitment policy - "Tony Atlas debuted 10/5 as a heel in the Butch Reed spot as Barbarian's tag team partner ...Also debuting was Robbie Walker... working as a tag team partner of both Shane Douglas and Tom Zenk in squash wins... Others on the way in are Johnny Gunn (Tom Brandi who most recently worked AWF in Puerto Rico) who may form a tag team with Zenk, and Chris Benoit." ..." Meanwhile "Austin and Pillman...aren't going to be a tag team after all. Austin pretty much was vehement about nixing the idea." Jimmy Garvin succeeds in getting a $180,000ish payout of his contract" (WON 10/12/92). This ins interpreted as evidence that WCW isn't going to be closed down, despite Watts and Rhodes' poor booking.
x	x	x	"Louis Acocela, the WWF promoter in Montreal, better known to wrestling fans under his two ring names, either Gino Brito or Louis Cerdan, was one of four men arrested last week in Montreal on extortion and loan sharking charges. According to an article in Le Journal de Montreal, Acocela, 51, and an ex-bodybuilder were arrested on charges of being collection agents for loan sharks. ..Documents seized at Acocela's residence indicate he had more than 100 clients and indicated that in his best week he collected $31,400 interest payments alone on loans from $50 to $59,000 and noted interest as high as 2433% based on an annual rate... Brito's father was a well known area wrestler who used the ring name Jack Britton. Later, as a worker in the 1970s , Brito was a frequent babyface tag team champion with Dino Bravo, who was billed as his cousin locally ..in the 70s he was part owner of the old Gran Prix promotion based in Quebec. Brito had a few WWF stints using the ring name Louis Cerdan. In the 60s he was mainly a jobber, but came back in the late 70s and held the WWF tag team titles with Dom DeNucci. He ended up cutting back on wrestling in the early 80s and was the owner of the International Wrestling Office in Montreal (Rick Martel and Bravo also had an interest) in the early and mid-1980s before the promotion went under and he slid to the WWF where he had been the local promoter for several years." (WON 10/19/92).
Thursday,  10/08/1992	Yokosuka Gym Yokosuka City, New Japan Pro Wrestling	Tom Zenk and Jim Neidhart d. by Strong Machine and Scott Norton	(Machine pinned Zenk, diving head-butt 11.13) Tag Tourney match
10/9/92	New Japan, Matsumoto (3,630 sell out)	Tom Zenk and Jim Neidhart d. by  Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki	Hase pinned Zenk, Northern Lights Suplex, 14.14) Tag Tourney match
10/10/92	New Japan Komagane (1,500 sellout)	Tom Zenk and Jim Neidhart d.by Riki Choshu and Shinya Hashimoto	Hashimoto pinned Zenk (8.09) Tag Tourney match
x	x	x Tom Zenk and Robbie Walker	WON 10/19/92 reports "Greg Valentine walked out Monday rather than do a 4.00 job on television for Sting. It isn't that Valentine refused to do the job as much as he got the new booking sheets and saw that his name wasn't on it for any dates, so he decided why do the job...Dick Slater will also be gone within a few weeks. Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash) is getting a new lease as he and Diamond Dallas Page are going to work a "B" team program  in November with Van Hammer and Marcus Bagwell."  Windham has done a turn on Rhodes but then  reteamed. "From an overall standpoint, things just aren't working and there doesn't appear to be any real momentum or interest building to the Havoc."
Sunday, 10/25/92	Halloween Havoc '92 - "Spin the Wheel, make the Deal" Civic Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Tom Zenk, Shane Douglas, and Johnny Gunn d. Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton and Michael Hayes	as Gunn pinned Hayes via a Lou Thesz press
10/28/92	Danville, Illinois	Tom Zenk and Marcus Bagwell d. by Van Vader and Steve Austin
Friday 10/30/92	Milwaukee,  (400 crowd despite an NWA and WCW tag title match on card)	Tom Zenk and Robbie Walker d. by Brian Pillman and Steve Austin	Benoit fails to sign under the contract terms offered, so WON (11/23/92) observes "it looks like Benoit not coming in will force the company to put Pillman and Steve Austin as a regular tag team after all."  Terry Taylor is now working at WWF.
Saturday 10/31/92	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois	Tom Zenk d. Tony Atlas	xx
Sunday 11/01/92	Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, Missori	Tom Zenk d. Tony Atlas	xx
11/06/92	Dalton, GA (350 crowd)	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn d. Diamond Dallas Page and Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash)	Dustin Rhodes continues in matches close to the top of the card. Erik Watts still undefeated.
Thursday 11/13/92	West La Follette Elementary School La Follette, Tennessee (600 crowd)	Tom Zenk d. Larry Zbyszko	WCW running A and B team shows but houses for both remain low.
			Paul Orndorff reappears as a heel managed by Madusa. Robbie Walker (who was supposed to be Heavyweight Champ Ron Simmons tag partner and had been working with Zenk) is fired. In are The Terminators (Marc Laurinitas and Al Green). A cloud still hangs over the future of Anderson and Eaton. Anderson has been working singles and will likely be retained at a reduced salary. Eaton's future is less assured.
Wednesday 11/25/92	Baltimore Arena,  Baltimore, Maryland	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn  drew with  Shanghai Pierce and Tex Slazenger	battled to draw
Thursday, 11/26/92	The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn  d. Shanghai Pierce and Tex Slazenger	WON 11/23/92 wonders at the lack of thought put into the Brian Pillman turn at the last Clash, with no storyline. Cactus Jack who tears down the house  at Jacksonville 11/13/92 is rewarded by doing the job to van Hammer two days later. Gary Morgan writing to the Observer notes - "Bill Watts has destroyed the last hope I had for a resurrection of the glory days of wrestling....Bill Watts isn't going to shove his son and Van Hammer down MY throat." The Steiners are preparing to leave WCW.
Thursday,  12/ 3/92	Harriman High School Harriman, TN	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn d. Bobby Eaton and Mike Graham	when Gunn pinned Graham
Sunday 12/13/92	Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, North Carolina	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn  d. Shanghai Pierce and Tex Slazenger	as Gunn pinned Slazenger
12/14/92	Center Stage Theater Atlanta, Georgia	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn d. by The Barbarian and Cactus Jack	when Barbarian pinned Gunn
12/14/92	Center Stage Theater Atlanta, Georgia	Tom Zenk and Johnny Gunn  d. Chick Donovan and Mike Thor
xx	xx	xx Zenk and Gunn vs Donovan and Thor Available soon in The Tom Zenk Collection, 1992	WON 12/28 reports the firing of   Minneapolis wrestler Nailz (Kevin Wacholz) from the WWF following an alleged physical altercation with V.K.McMahon in the locker room prior to a TV taping in Green Bay. "There was avery audible 'I want my f***ing money.' Apparently the argument was involving Wacohlz' pay-off fro the Summer Slam PPV show which he had just received  and thought was too low. After the argument grew more heated, those listening heard what sounded like a punch or a thud, and some WWF official opened the door to find Wacholz on top of McMahon, and he had his hands around McMahon's throat, with the latter helpless.... A police report was filed two days later ...listing Wacholz as the victim and McMahon as the suspect in an alleged sexual assault...Wacholz claimed it was the second time McMahon assaulted him, the first being last month in Madison Square Garden."  Titan counter claimed that Wacholz has attempted to extort  $150,000 from McMahon.
xx	xx	xx	Erik Watts' push  wins WON's editor's personal award as 1992's Worst Gimmick - "van Hammer as a main eventer was a worse gimmick...Maybe the worst gimmick of all was Bill Watts trying to justify the push for his son, over and over and over, or maybe the office environment in WCW is such that nobody in the office can get it through to him that nobody buys his explanation. Almost every promoter pushes his son because it's his son. So why don't we just leave it at that without all these futile attempts to justify it as something else."