Monday, December 14, 2015

Curt Hennig and Tom Zenk vs The Long Riders, "Wild" Bill Irwin and Scott "Hog" Irwin

September 19,1985. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Curt Hennig and Tom Zenk take on The Long Riders, "Wild" Bill Irwin and Scott "Hog" Irwin, in a tag team match.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnYY1sO0IxA

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express Worldwide Feb 17th, 1990

Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express Worldwide Feb 17th, 1990

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Zenk vs Pillman, Wrestlewar, May 1992

Brian Pillman adeptly escapes trouble more than once in an exciting high-flying contest against Tom Zenk at WrestleWar on May 17,1992.

http://www.wwe.com/videos/brian-pillman-vs-tom-zenk-wrestlewar-1992-wcw-light-heavyweight-championship-mat-26010498





Brian Pillman vs Tom Zenk (WCW Wrestle War 05/17/92)

“I'd rather watch Pillman-Zenk than Pillman-Liger….”
                      
A. Wow, nice match….. I wish they could have upped the aggression a little more, but as far as match layout and execution, this was really, really good. One of those matches that's easy to get lost in the shuffle and shouldn't -- everyone should see it.
           
    B. I think jdw made the comparison between this and Piper/Hart once, which is apt. Both are babyface matches that are really well-scripted. I think this is the better wrestling match, while Piper/Hart has more heat and emotion.
   
C. Yeah, that's pretty much the comparison I've made. Both smartly worked. This was probably technically and highspot better, while Piper-Bret had the drama/setting/emotion/young gun going over cha-ching. I like them as examples that you don't have to be Liger-Pillman (as a comp to Pillman-Zenk) or Bret-Davey (as a comp to Bret-Piper) to be a good, entertaining, satisfying match. I think in a yearbook setting where you get a vibe for good matches, solid matches, upper end matches... you also get a vibe for ones like these two where they're good-solid and hit a spot. John
           
                       
D.  I'd rather watch Pillman-Zenk than Pillman-Liger (US version) and Bret-Piper than Bret-Davey. But the snowflakes, fame and rep has always gone the other direction. So it's not an argument I worry about making.
           
           
E. I've always liked this match and I'm glad it held up. Ventura in disbelief that Pillman was a NT in college was great.
           
           
F. The best single Zenk match I've seen. They worked extra-hard to make it something special. Pillman coming off the top rope only to get a big boot in the face is a great spot I've never seen before. Good near falls down the stretch, some surprising reversal, good intensity built up. Really nice indeed.
           
G.They play nice with each other for a while but over time it gets testy. Fun to see them smacking each other around. Jesse was really trying to stir things up on commentary.
           
H. Zenk seems like a natural heel with the way he carries himself here. They tell a good story early on playing off each other as former partners. After working on Zenk's leg for a stretch we get a nice run of high spots with Pillman eating a kick as he comes off the top my favorite. ***1/4
                                  
I. This had some good stuff, although some of their ideas were questionable with the body part work being done, like Zenk's big boot when his leg had been worked over. But, that was counterbalanced with smart things like the powerslam counter, and the finish with Pillman outsmarting Zenk.
           
J. From the promo on Saturday Night, it seems like they were foreshadowing Zeman turning heel, but thankfully it would be Pillman trying heel and eventually forming the Hollywood Blonds with Steve Austin. I seem to like this match a little more than most, but happened to watch this one with my Dad. Whenever, I watch with someone I tend to be less critical and just have a more fun with it all. When your Dad is marking out for a crucifix pinfall attempt you can't help, but get more into it. Still, this is one of my favorite style of matches: the civil babyface wrestling at the beginning before tempers flare and it turns into a heated battle attacking injuries and going for the win.

At the beginning, they establish they are former partners and current buddies going for the same moves like dropkicks or a flying hammerlock at the same time. Pillman is one to finally let loose after Zenk gets a couple nearfalls with some wicked chops, which JR points out is legal, but Jesse says the tempers are starting to get best of them. Pillman executes his fluid drop toehold into some great leg work. He crashes and burns on a somersault intended for Zenk's knee. JR lets us know Pillman's back is previously injured. Zeman is pretty proficient at working the back over and the best he has ever looked in my opinion. We get some dueling psychology as Pillman is able get back on the knee, but Zenk hits an enziguiri for 2. The Boyd implores him to go back on the back, but Zeman misses a knee into the turnbuckles and Pillman takes him to school. They exchange a couple good slaps and my Dad has just been loving this action and finds Pillman really entertaining. I raised him so well. 

After this, Pillman is ready to hit the finish stretch of big bombs and nearfalls. You can tell how much Pillman loved Puroresu because at this point in the US I would say he is the most Japanese-influenced. The Steiners are naturally Japanese-style wrestlers, but I don't feel like they went out there way to watch puro tapes where I think Pillman would watch them. This is speculation on my part feel free to confirm of deny. He definitely seems to wrestle in the mold of a New Japan Junior, matwork to start and high-octane finish. Pillman gives Zeman a ton of nearfalls with a powerslam, crucifix and a cross-body. Zenk is looking great from an athletic perspective. The leapfrog collision came off really bad and it seemed like they either were not committed to it or wires crossed. Like the intent with like minded partners thinking same thing, but poor execution. Then in the Holy Shit moment of the match that had my Dad and me going insane was Zenk caught Pillman coming off the rope with a big boot/savant kick. It was full extension of his leg and it looked wicked bitchin. After that badass move, Zeman feeling cocky goes for the missile dropkick to get the win, but Pillman side-steps him and jacknifes him for the win. 

…Overall, still I enjoyed the match as strong offensive performances from both that kept you engrossed in the match at all times. ****

           


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Wrestling Challenge 1987 - Can-Am vs Kamala and Sika

26 years ago this was the main event on Wrestling Challenge. Wrestling Challenge, May 1, 1987

"Classic Moment of the Week" - July 13, 2010 Can-Am Connection vs Demolition

"Classic Moment of the Week" - July 13, 2010 Can-Am Connection vs Demolition

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Monday, April 28, 2014

ZENK VS TAYLOR ON MAIN EVENT, 17 FEB 1991

Promo for the February 17th 1991 edition of WCW Main Event featuring match #3 in the series between Terry Taylor and "Z-Man" Tom Zenk.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

TOM ZENK VS SCOTTY FLAMINGO

Scotty Flamingo was later known as Raven. One of his early matches in 1993 against Z-Man Tom Zenk.

AJPW - The Fantastics vs. Tom Zenk & Jim Brunzell (7-11-89)

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Tom Zenk vs Hulk Elliott

from AWF 1996

Tom Zenk vs The Bounty Hunter

from AWF - 1996




Sunday, August 4, 2013

Tom Zenk and The Terminator vs Kabuki and Tenta

                                

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Friday, December 14, 2012

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Saturday, March 24, 2012

UBER RARE VIDEO OF TOM ZENK IN VIENNA, 1988

Congratulations to youtube channel Sergji for unearthing this VERY rare Tom Zenk video - featuring All Stars wrestling from Vienna, Austria in Spring 1988 at the Ferry Dusika Stadion. Tom Zenk vs Afa the Wild Samoan,with commentary by Jazz Gitty!

All Stars Promotions was based in Fridley, MN, with ties to AWA, and hired workers, mainly out of Minneapolis, with international visibility through US wrestling broadcasts into Europe (via Sky Sports, German DSR television, etc.)  The tour was billed as "Superstars of Wrestling - Die Besten Catcher aus USA (the Best of American Wrestling)." 

Originally, Kamala was booked to headline with Tom Zenk in a 'Beauty and the Beast' angle. But Kamala was unavailable. He was replaced by Afa of the Samoans. Other talent included Derrick Dukes, The Terminators (Riggs and Wolff), Wendy Richter, Bambi, Peggy Lee Leather and Luna. 


The tour was scheduled for 22 matches in 22 towns across Europe between April 13 and May 6, 1988. 

For more information, please refer to http://tomzenk.net/euro1988.html

If you have any further information on this tour - we'd love to hear from you - email admin@tomzenk.net

Friday, December 16, 2011

TOM ZENK and Flying Brian Pillman vs Stunning Steve Austin and Beautiful Bobby Eaton

TOM ZENK and Brian Pillman vs Stunning Steve Austin and Beautiful Bobby Eaton .. Austin is the World Television Champion; Pillman has the World Light Heavyweight belt. Action-packed match!



Part 2

Saturday Night 7/24/1993- TOM ZENK, Johnny B. Badd,Too Cold Scorpio vs Maxx Payne, Big Sky and Lord Steven Regal

Saturday Night 7/24/1993- TOM ZENK, Johnny B. Badd,Too Cold Scorpio vs Maxx Payne, Big Sky and Lord Steven Regal

Main Event 7/25/1993- TOM ZENK and Johnny Gunn vs Tex Slazenger and Shanghai Pierce

WCW Main Event 7/25/1993- TOM ZENK and Johnny Gunn vs Tex Slazenger and Shanghai Pierce

Friday, November 25, 2011

TOM ZENK vs Steve Austin

3/25/92; WCW  Saturday NightGainesville, GA; Georgia Mountains Center


Steve Austin and the Z-Man Tom Zenk in a best two out of three falls match. Nice to see Zenk get a good, long match--the guy was a great worker.


Part 1



Part 2

WCW SATURDAY NIGHT


1992


3/25/92; Gainesville, GA; Georgia Mountains Center
4/4/92 - the debut of the renamed Saturday Night show; featured Jesse Ventura on commentary alongside Jim Ross:
WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman pinned Brad Armstrong at 8:35 with the springboard clothesline after Armstrong hit the side Russian legsweep but Pillman's leg was under the bottom rope during the cover
Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated Cactus Jack & Diamond Dallas Page at 3:19 when Hayes pinned Page with the DDT
Rick & Scott Steiner defeated John Peterson & Randy Starr at 1:32 when Scott pinned Starr with the Frankensteiner; K Allen Frye did guest commentary for the bout, subbing for Ventura
Nikita Koloff pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker at 2:45 with the Russian Sickle; K Allen Frye did guest commentary for the bout, subbing for Ventura
WCW TV Champion Steve Austin defeated Tom Zenk in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

TOM ZENK and Brian Pillman vs Freebirds (Hayes and Garvin)

Power Hour  3/2/90 -  Zenk and Pillman vs Freebirds 

Saturday, November 12, 2011

TOM ZENK and Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs Ravishing Rick Rude and Stunning Steve Austin






the gathering storm.....

WWF Can Am Connection Interview (06-13-87)



From the June 20th 1987 edition of WWF Superstars

"Mean" Gene Oklerund runs down the card for the July 11th Boston Garden event and interviews the Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) about their match with the Islanders.



WWF Can Am Connection Interview (07-04-87)


From the July 4th 1987 edition of WWF Superstars

"Mean" Gene Oklerund runs down the card for the July 11th Boston Garden event and interviews the Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) about their match with the Islanders.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Tom Zenk vs Scott ''Hogg'' Irwin

Tom Zenk squares off against the late Scott ''Hogg'' Irwin who is managed by Eddie Creatchman. Montreal IWA, 1986



and go here  for  Tom Zenk & Dan Kroffat vs The Long Riders