On December 9th, 2017, one half of The Can-Am Connection, Tom Zenk, passed away. Zenk, along with the Model Rick Martel, opened Wrestlemania 3, defeating Don Muraco and Bob Orton Jr. The Can-Am Connection would almost capture the WWF World Tag Team Championships from The Hart Foundation, but the feud ended abruptly when Zenk left WWF.
He would debut in WCW a few years later as “The Z-Man” and, along with Flyin’ Brian Pillman, won the United States Tag Team Championship, defeating The Fabulous Freebirds in the finals of a tournament to crown new champions. They would go on to feud with the Freebirds and the Midnight Express. An injury, however, would prevent the Z-Man from continuing his team with Brian Pillman.
After returning from injury, Zenk would go on to feud with Arn Anderson over the World Television Championship, eventually winning it from Double A. Zenk held the title during WCW’s name change, making him the final NWA Television Champion and the first WCW Television Champion.
His final days in the promotion saw the Z-Man teaming with Dustin Rhodes and Big Josh to capture the World Six-Man Tag Team Titles, before his departure in 1994.
No further information has been released as to the cause of Zenk’s death. We here at Wrestling Edge would like to give our sincere condolences to Zenk’s family.
