Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Tom Zenk 1958-2017

Sad news, beefcake aficionados. Tom Zenk passed away at the age of 59 last December 9 (read about it here). The Z-Man, as he was also called, was best known for his stints with World Wrestling Federation (WWF or as we now know it, WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The cause of his death has yet to be determined. Before becoming a pro wrestler, the Minnesota native was a professional bodybuilder in the early 1980s; in July 1981, he won the Mr. Minnesota Triple Crown, titling in the Heavyweight, Overall, and Most Muscular categories. Zenk started his wrestling career with American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1984 and two years later, at the request of Rick Martel, he and Martel joined WWE as the tag team The Can-Am Connection. He retired from wrestling in 1996. Let's take a look back at his career with these classic images.









The Can-Am Connection : Rick Martel & Tom Zenk

Zenk the bodybuilder.























Because of his impressive physique and good looks, Zenk was often pitted against vicious heels who delighted in manhandling the former bodybuilder.


Tell us what your favorite memories of Zenk are and/or post links to your favourite Zenk matches in the Comments section below.

8 comments:

  1. Aw, say it ain't so. He will forever remain way up high in the lists of people's favorite jobbers.

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  2. Zenk was one of my first wrestling "crushes" ... he enhanced every match he was he...
    a great worker and handsome guy.

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  3. My heart is Heavy ! Tom was one of the most talented boyz in the ring, and by far, one of the hottest in both body and looks. He could sell a Side Headlock to a Pile-Driver...like no other !! REST WELL Tom....and THANKS for all you gave to the Pro Wrestling World !!!

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  4. He passed away on Dec 9th, not the 16th.

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  5. He and Tommy Rogers (also RIP) were I thought in my youth just the most handsome men in wrestling. I had seen or read a “shoot” interview with him where he wasn’t getting along with Rick Martel who wanted to keep their tag team going enough to promise his little sister in marriage to Zenk, she apparently was smitten. Zenk thought it was reason to get out of the tag relationship quicker.

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  6. Sad... sad news RIP beatiful man of my dreams.

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