WCW/WWE Alumnus Tom Zenk Passes Away at Fifty-Nine

– Tom Zenk, best known for his run in WCW as “The Z-Man,” has passed away. Zenk died last weekend at the age of fifty-nine according to an obituary in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Details on his passing are not yet known.

Zenk began his wrestling career in 1984, working for the AWA before he moved on to the NWA’s territory in the Pacific Northwest. He would first rise to prominence when he teamed with Rick Martel as the Can-Am (Canadian/American) Connection in the IWA. The two brought the team to WWF in 1986 and received a push, winning the opening match of WrestleMania III against the team of Don Muraco and Bob Orton. Zenk left the promotion in 1987 and went on to Japan, doing tours with AJPW, before returning to the AWA in 1989. He was the final man eliminated in a battle royal for the then-vacant AWA Heavyweight Championship, losing out to Larry Zybysko.

Zenk received several AWA World Heavyweight Title shots following the match, but eventually moved on to WCW where he became “The Z-Man.” He debuted for the promotion at Clash of the Champions VIII and then teamed with Brian Pillman, winning the United States Tag Team Championship with Pillman. They feuded with the Midnight Express and Fabulous Freebirds until an injury put Zenk on the shelf for several months. When he returned, he feuded with Arn Anderson and won the NWA World Television Title, eventually becoming the first WCW Television Title when the company changed its name.

Zenk’s run with WCW ran through May of 1994 and also included a run with the World Six-Man Tag Team Championship alongside Dustin Rhodes and Big Josh. After he left WCW, he went back to AJPW for a summer tour and finished out his career in 1996 for the American Wrestling Federation.

Ib behalf of 411, our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Mr. Zenk.