Is it Matt Bomer ('White Collar') without his shirt or the Z-Man, Tom Zenk.?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
SEPARATED AT BIRTH .....
Is it Matt Bomer ('White Collar') without his shirt or the Z-Man, Tom Zenk.?
Saturday, June 18, 2011
HALLOWEEN HAVOC 1989
The Z-Man vs. Captain Mike Rotunda: source
"Rotunda sure is letting his hair grow out. I know, that was a weird observation on my part. While I'm on the subject, why is Rotunda introduced as "Captain", especially since the Varsity Club was no more at this point? Z-Man is, of course, Tom Zenk, a.k.a the most angry midcarder to hit the internet in the early part of the 21st century. Lockup, and Rotunda with a waist-lock takedown. Lockup, and Z-Man with a standing side headlock. Irish whip, and Z-Man with a shoulder block. Lockup, and Z-Man with another headlock and shoulder block. CLIP JOB! Rotunda takes Z-Man over with a suplex and covers for a two count. Rotunda slaps on a front facelock, then turns it into an abdominal stretch. Yes, he uses the ropes for leverage. Rotunda is dripping sweat, and even by his standards of heavy sweating, that must've been a hell of a clip job. Rotunda releases after being caught cheating, then quickly applies a rear chinlock. Z-Man escapes with elbows to the midsection, but Rotunda kills him with a flying clothesline to a pretty good face pop. Irish whip, and Rotunda misses a dropkick. Whip to the corner, and Z-Man puts Rotunda down with a back elbow. Rotunda rakes the eyes. Whip to the corner is reversed, and Z-Man rolls through a cross body for the three count at 4:17, clipped down from about 13-minutes. Quite off topic, but I'm amazed Vince Russo never formed a tag team called "The Sea Men", considering his level of immature humor and penis jokes. *1/2 Not much was here, but it looked okay, and I'm sure the full match was a bit better. Stupid THE clip jobs." sourceWednesday, June 15, 2011
Halloween Havoc 1992 in Philadelphia
THREE SIDES TO EVERY STORY.....
ONE THE ONE HAND
- Opening match: Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson & Michael Hayes v. Johnny Gunn , Tom Zenk & Shane Douglas. Gee, which side do you think the Philly crowd will cheer? The faces nearly get booed out of the building here, in case there was any doubt. The Pretty Boys clean house early. Zenk gets beat on for a while, then makes a hottish tag to Shane, and the heels cheat like nuts to regain the advantage. Jesse is in awe of the fans' reaction. Shane escapes a figure-four (oh, the irony) and makes the hot tag, and a pier-six erupts. Gunn (later to become Salvatore Sincere or Tom Brandi , depending on your view) hits the Thesz Press for the pin. Crowd does not approve. Good opener. **3/4
ON THE OTHER - chri...@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu writes Dec 31, 1992 on rspw
1) Arn Anderson/Bobby Eaton/Michael Hayes vs. Johnny Gunn/Tom Zenk/Shane
Douglas
In all likelihood, this match will NOT make the tape, but I think it should, as it was one of the best matches of the night. The fans popped BIG TIME for the heel team and booed the faces. This made Arn and Bobby work harder, which is great as they are hard workers anyway. They really played up the crowd and wrestled well. However, the faces were scripted to win. Gunn with the (ack!) Lou Thesz press. **3/4
AND
HUGE crowd pops for all three heels (AA, BB, Mike Hayes) as well as Tom Zenk.
Jesse even mentioned it after I was grinning at the cheers for the heels.
--Otto "Cactus Hack"
THREE SIDES TO EVERY STORY.....
ONE THE ONE HAND
- Opening match: Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson & Michael Hayes v. Johnny Gunn , Tom Zenk & Shane Douglas. Gee, which side do you think the Philly crowd will cheer? The faces nearly get booed out of the building here, in case there was any doubt. The Pretty Boys clean house early. Zenk gets beat on for a while, then makes a hottish tag to Shane, and the heels cheat like nuts to regain the advantage. Jesse is in awe of the fans' reaction. Shane escapes a figure-four (oh, the irony) and makes the hot tag, and a pier-six erupts. Gunn (later to become Salvatore Sincere or Tom Brandi , depending on your view) hits the Thesz Press for the pin. Crowd does not approve. Good opener. **3/4
ON THE OTHER - chri...@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu writes Dec 31, 1992 on rspw
1) Arn Anderson/Bobby Eaton/Michael Hayes vs. Johnny Gunn/Tom Zenk/Shane
Douglas
In all likelihood, this match will NOT make the tape, but I think it should, as it was one of the best matches of the night. The fans popped BIG TIME for the heel team and booed the faces. This made Arn and Bobby work harder, which is great as they are hard workers anyway. They really played up the crowd and wrestled well. However, the faces were scripted to win. Gunn with the (ack!) Lou Thesz press. **3/4
AND
HUGE crowd pops for all three heels (AA, BB, Mike Hayes) as well as Tom Zenk.
Jesse even mentioned it after I was grinning at the cheers for the heels.
--Otto "Cactus Hack"
From rspw 1 July, 1991 - " I've recently been watching (and thoroughly enjoying) older matches that the AWA are showing from their archives and it seems that an awful lot of current WWF stars were involved with the AWA. Is there some sort of story there or is it typical? In other words is the AWA merely showing the brief moments when currently popular wrestlers were simply 'passing through' or was there some sort of mass exodus of wrestlers to the WWF from the AWA.
By the way, I noticed during an old match between Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura that the referee was an even younger looking Tom Zenk.
BRANCH, MICHAEL
By the way, I noticed during an old match between Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura that the referee was an even younger looking Tom Zenk.
BRANCH, MICHAEL
1991 - WCW Clash of the Champions XVII was held at the Civic Center in Savannah, Georgia. Here are the results of the show, which was aired live on TBS:
- Big Josh defeated Thomas Rich in a Lumberjack match.
- Bobby Eaton defeated Firebreaker Chip.
- Tom Zenk defeated The Diamond Stud (Scott Hall) in less than two minutes.
- WCW Television Champion Steve Austin defeated PN News.
- Cactus Jack defeated Van Hammer.
- Dustin Rhodes & Ricky Steamboat defeated Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyszko to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when Steamboat pinned Anderson.
- WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman defeated Johnny B. Badd.
- Rick Rude defeated Sting to win the WCW United States Title.
- WCW World Champion Lex Luger defeated Rick Steiner.
- Big Josh defeated Thomas Rich in a Lumberjack match.
- Bobby Eaton defeated Firebreaker Chip.
- Tom Zenk defeated The Diamond Stud (Scott Hall) in less than two minutes.
- WCW Television Champion Steve Austin defeated PN News.
- Cactus Jack defeated Van Hammer.
- Dustin Rhodes & Ricky Steamboat defeated Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyszko to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when Steamboat pinned Anderson.
- WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman defeated Johnny B. Badd.
- Rick Rude defeated Sting to win the WCW United States Title.
- WCW World Champion Lex Luger defeated Rick Steiner.
WWE Classics OnDemand Updates
- Here are the latest updates for the WWE Classics OnDemand service…
Bad to the Bell:
* Bad Breed vs. Pitbulls ECW 1/17/95
* Bad Bad Leroy Brown vs. Mike Rotundo NWA World Wide Wrestling 10/13/82
* For The Vacant WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Bad Guy Razor Ramon vs. Rick Martel Raw 9/27/93
Abdullah The Butcher:
* Abdullah The Butcher, Mike Rotunda & Norman vs. Cactus Jack, Kevin Sullivan & The Punisher NWA Main Event 4/8/90
* Abdullah The Butcher, Terry Funk & JT Smith vs. Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco & Kevin Sullivan ECW 10/12/93
* Abdullah The Butcher vs. Ron Bass NWA World Wide Wrestling 7/23/85
* Abdullah The Butcher vs. Manny Fernandez Starrcade 1985
Classics Rewind:
* WCW Starrcade 1998
- Here are the latest updates for the WWE Classics OnDemand service…
Bad to the Bell:
* Bad Breed vs. Pitbulls ECW 1/17/95
* Bad Bad Leroy Brown vs. Mike Rotundo NWA World Wide Wrestling 10/13/82
* AWA World Tag Team Champions Badd Company vs. Ken Patera & Tom Zenk AWA All Star Wrestling 4/2/89
* WCW World Telvision Champion Steve Regal vs. Johnny B Badd Fall Brawl 1994* For The Vacant WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Bad Guy Razor Ramon vs. Rick Martel Raw 9/27/93
Abdullah The Butcher:
* Abdullah The Butcher, Mike Rotunda & Norman vs. Cactus Jack, Kevin Sullivan & The Punisher NWA Main Event 4/8/90
* Abdullah The Butcher, Terry Funk & JT Smith vs. Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco & Kevin Sullivan ECW 10/12/93
* Abdullah The Butcher vs. Ron Bass NWA World Wide Wrestling 7/23/85
* Abdullah The Butcher vs. Manny Fernandez Starrcade 1985
Classics Rewind:
* WCW Starrcade 1998
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
トム・ジンク（Tom Zenk）ことトーマス・アーウィン・ジンク（Thomas Erwin Zenk、1960年11月30日 - ）は、アメリカ合衆国の元プロレスラー。ミネソタ州ゴールデンバレー出身。
より原音に近いファミリーネームの表記は「ズィンク」だが、本項では日本のプロレス史における慣例的な表記（日本語圏で一般によく知られている名前）に則る。
ルードやシンプソンをコーチしたエディ・シャーキーにスカウトされ、1983年にビル・ワット主宰のMSWAにてデビュー。1984年からはバーン・ガニアの牛耳る地元ミネソタのAWAに登場、甘いマスクと肉体美を持つベビーフェイスの新鋭として、次代のスター候補と目された。
1985年より、太平洋岸北西部のオレゴンやワシントンをサーキット・エリアとするNWA圏のPNW（Pacific Northwest Wrestling）に参戦。1986年1月21日にボビー・ジャガーズからパシフィック・ノースウエスト・ヘビー級王座を奪取した。同年下期からはカナダのモントリオールに進出、11月には同地区のスターだったリック・マーテルのパートナーとして、全日本プロレスの世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦に初来日した。
以降も本格的にマーテルとタッグチームを結成し、翌1987年、カンナム・コネクション（Can-Am Connection）のチーム名でWWFに参戦。ハート・ファウンデーション（ブレット・ハート&ジム・ナイドハート）やドリーム・チーム（グレッグ・バレンタイン&ブルータス・ビーフケーキ）などヒールのトップチームと対戦し、3月29日のレッスルマニアIIIではカウボーイ・ボブ・オートン&マグニフィセント・ムラコから勝利を収めるも、契約のトラブルでジンクのみ短期間でWWFを離脱した。
その後は古巣のAWAに戻り、1989年2月7日にセントポールで行われたAWA世界ヘビー級王者決定バトルロイヤルにも出場。サージェント・スローター、ワフー・マクダニエル、ケン・パテラ、マイク・ジョージ、アキオ・サトー、パット・タナカ、ポール・ダイヤモンド、マニー・フェルナンデス、グレッグ・ガニアらを抑え、ラリー・ズビスコと優勝を争ったが、オーバー・ザ・トップロープで失格し戴冠は果たせなかった。
また、この間には全日本プロレスの常連外国人選手となり、1986年11月の初来日から1989年7月まで5回に渡って来日した（最強タッグには1987年大会にもザ・ターミネーターをパートナーに参加するなど、2年連続で出場している）。
1989年末、当時まだNWAに加盟していた初期WCWと契約。Zマン（Z-Man）と名乗ってブライアン・ピルマンとコンビを組み、1990年2月12日にトーナメント決勝でファビュラス・フリーバーズ（マイケル・ヘイズ&ジミー・ガービン）を破りUSタッグ王座を獲得。同年12月4日にはアーン・アンダーソンから世界TV王座を奪取している。1991年3月21日には、WCWとの提携ルートで新日本プロレスの東京ドーム大会に参戦。新日本には翌1992年10月にも来日し、ジム・ナイドハートと組んでSGタッグ・リーグ戦IIに出場した。
1993年はリッキー・スティムボートとドス・ホンブレス（Dos Hombres）なる覆面タッグチームを一時的に結成し、5月23日にWCWの本拠地アトランタで行われたPPV "Slamboree" に出場、ヒールターンしたピルマンとスタニング・スティーブ・オースチンのハリウッド・ブロンズが保持するWCW世界タッグ王座にスチール・ケージ・マッチで挑戦した。
1994年の初頭にWCWを離れ、同年6月と9月には全日本プロレスに久々に登場（日本には通算9回来日）。以降はインディー団体を転戦し、1996年に引退した。
より原音に近いファミリーネームの表記は「ズィンク」だが、本項では日本のプロレス史における慣例的な表記（日本語圏で一般によく知られている名前）に則る。
目次 |
[編集] 来歴
カート・ヘニング、リック・ルード、スコット・シンプソン、バリー・ダーソウ、ジョン・ノードらを輩出したロビンズデール・ハイスクールの出身。学生時代からボディビルに熱中し、後に "Mr. Minnesota" など数々のタイトルを獲得した。ルードやシンプソンをコーチしたエディ・シャーキーにスカウトされ、1983年にビル・ワット主宰のMSWAにてデビュー。1984年からはバーン・ガニアの牛耳る地元ミネソタのAWAに登場、甘いマスクと肉体美を持つベビーフェイスの新鋭として、次代のスター候補と目された。
1985年より、太平洋岸北西部のオレゴンやワシントンをサーキット・エリアとするNWA圏のPNW（Pacific Northwest Wrestling）に参戦。1986年1月21日にボビー・ジャガーズからパシフィック・ノースウエスト・ヘビー級王座を奪取した。同年下期からはカナダのモントリオールに進出、11月には同地区のスターだったリック・マーテルのパートナーとして、全日本プロレスの世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦に初来日した。
以降も本格的にマーテルとタッグチームを結成し、翌1987年、カンナム・コネクション（Can-Am Connection）のチーム名でWWFに参戦。ハート・ファウンデーション（ブレット・ハート&ジム・ナイドハート）やドリーム・チーム（グレッグ・バレンタイン&ブルータス・ビーフケーキ）などヒールのトップチームと対戦し、3月29日のレッスルマニアIIIではカウボーイ・ボブ・オートン&マグニフィセント・ムラコから勝利を収めるも、契約のトラブルでジンクのみ短期間でWWFを離脱した。
その後は古巣のAWAに戻り、1989年2月7日にセントポールで行われたAWA世界ヘビー級王者決定バトルロイヤルにも出場。サージェント・スローター、ワフー・マクダニエル、ケン・パテラ、マイク・ジョージ、アキオ・サトー、パット・タナカ、ポール・ダイヤモンド、マニー・フェルナンデス、グレッグ・ガニアらを抑え、ラリー・ズビスコと優勝を争ったが、オーバー・ザ・トップロープで失格し戴冠は果たせなかった。
また、この間には全日本プロレスの常連外国人選手となり、1986年11月の初来日から1989年7月まで5回に渡って来日した（最強タッグには1987年大会にもザ・ターミネーターをパートナーに参加するなど、2年連続で出場している）。
1989年末、当時まだNWAに加盟していた初期WCWと契約。Zマン（Z-Man）と名乗ってブライアン・ピルマンとコンビを組み、1990年2月12日にトーナメント決勝でファビュラス・フリーバーズ（マイケル・ヘイズ&ジミー・ガービン）を破りUSタッグ王座を獲得。同年12月4日にはアーン・アンダーソンから世界TV王座を奪取している。1991年3月21日には、WCWとの提携ルートで新日本プロレスの東京ドーム大会に参戦。新日本には翌1992年10月にも来日し、ジム・ナイドハートと組んでSGタッグ・リーグ戦IIに出場した。
1993年はリッキー・スティムボートとドス・ホンブレス（Dos Hombres）なる覆面タッグチームを一時的に結成し、5月23日にWCWの本拠地アトランタで行われたPPV "Slamboree" に出場、ヒールターンしたピルマンとスタニング・スティーブ・オースチンのハリウッド・ブロンズが保持するWCW世界タッグ王座にスチール・ケージ・マッチで挑戦した。
1994年の初頭にWCWを離れ、同年6月と9月には全日本プロレスに久々に登場（日本には通算9回来日）。以降はインディー団体を転戦し、1996年に引退した。
[編集] 得意技
[編集] 獲得タイトル
- NWAパシフィック・ノースウエスト・ヘビー級王座：1回
- NWAパシフィック・ノースウエスト・タッグ王座：1回（w / Scott Doring）
- カナディアン・インターナショナル・タッグ王座：1回（w / ダニー・クロファット）
- NWA USタッグ王座：1回（w / ブライアン・ピルマン）
- NWA世界TV王座：1回
- WCW世界6人タッグ王座：1回（w / ダスティン・ローデス&ビッグ・ジョッシュ）
Sunday, May 22, 2011
BRIAN PILLMAN WEEK – 5/18 Match of the Day: Pillman & Tom Zenk vs The Young Pistols (Smothers & Armstrong)
source
We continue our week-long tribute to Brian Pillman on the week of his birth with a WCW United States Tag Team Title bout from an early-1992 edition of WCW Power Hour, as Pillman teamed with “The Z-Man” Tom Zenk against Tracy Smothers (who might get his own week on Match of the Day soon) and Steve Armstrong, collectively known as the Young Pistols.
The match is absolutely a showcase for Pillman & Zenk’s offense, as they bump the Pistols around like pinballs almost the entire bout. But, the most entertaining part of the match is absolutely the Pistols’ stooging. Smothers became known later in his career as a master stooger, but man alive both guys were awesome being goofy little henchmen in this match. The match isn’t incredibly long, but it’s a perfectly energetic little TV match.
!
MACHO MAN
The Fuj says:
I loved the fact that when he shot you into the ropes, he clapped his hands before hitting you with the back elbow…
If you are friends with me on Facebook, I pretty much dedicated my afternoon to Macho Man.
I don’t talk about wrestlers much anymore. Of course Flair 85-93 rules. WWF 86 got me into wrestling. Became a smark in 03 through the Tom Zenk rants, but honestly in terms pure entertainment… Move over Lex cuz Savage was the real total package.
From his look… The frizzy hair… awesome, aweosme sunglasses. The lavish robes…. The pink Macho Man t-shirt which I will be getting off of ebay now.
to the his work… Even the shitty Memphis stalling work, to the crisp WWF work to the horrible WCW work…
To his promos… Nonsensical and coked out as they were. I swear for about a year on youtube, I watched “The cream” promo, its fucking classic. He just keeps pulling out creamers. Puts one on Mean Gene’s head. Gene no-sells it and Macho keeps talking.
The “Freak out” promo, in his ICW days is another one. Watch that promo and tell me he doesnt look like Dr. Teeth from the muppets.
He wasn’t my favorite in the ring, He wasnt my favorie on the mic, he wasnt a box office draw, but when you put all of it together, he is definitely top 5 GOATs in my humble opinion. Truly in a class of his own.
There will never be another.
RIP
I loved the fact that when he shot you into the ropes, he clapped his hands before hitting you with the back elbow…
If you are friends with me on Facebook, I pretty much dedicated my afternoon to Macho Man.
I don’t talk about wrestlers much anymore. Of course Flair 85-93 rules. WWF 86 got me into wrestling. Became a smark in 03 through the Tom Zenk rants, but honestly in terms pure entertainment… Move over Lex cuz Savage was the real total package.
From his look… The frizzy hair… awesome, aweosme sunglasses. The lavish robes…. The pink Macho Man t-shirt which I will be getting off of ebay now.
to the his work… Even the shitty Memphis stalling work, to the crisp WWF work to the horrible WCW work…
To his promos… Nonsensical and coked out as they were. I swear for about a year on youtube, I watched “The cream” promo, its fucking classic. He just keeps pulling out creamers. Puts one on Mean Gene’s head. Gene no-sells it and Macho keeps talking.
The “Freak out” promo, in his ICW days is another one. Watch that promo and tell me he doesnt look like Dr. Teeth from the muppets.
He wasn’t my favorite in the ring, He wasnt my favorie on the mic, he wasnt a box office draw, but when you put all of it together, he is definitely top 5 GOATs in my humble opinion. Truly in a class of his own.
There will never be another.
RIP
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Everyday Is Like Tom Zenk: Z-Man & Brian Pillman vs Cactus Jack & Abdullah The Butcher (source)
So, I was watching WWE Vintage Collection, when all of a sudden up comes a Z-Man match. Seeing as how I've got 10 minutes to kill, and we've not had a Zenk update for a while, I thought it'd make sense to give it some attention. It's a simple enough story for a tag match: the faces are quick and full of energy, whilst the heels are brawlers who just want to hurt people. Z-Man fights out of the opposition corner early and takes over on Cactus with some nice high flying offence. He does get caught in an Abby nerve hold, which he then breaks out of before hitting a nice enzuigiri. Pillman is in and full of gusto, which is why I always like face teams who are smaller and more explosive, where the fans' excitement at the hot tag is matched by the fire of the incoming face. It's certainly the case here, with Pillman ripping into Abby, including hitting the Butcher with an impressive slam. Pillman slips on a springboard attempt and immediately starts selling knee, which was either planned or some very quick improvisation from him. Pillman bumps like a pinball for Abby, which makes some average offence look deadly. Z-Man comes back in and hits a nice pair of superkicks on the Butcher, which Abby sells with an ace glazed expression. Zenk locks on a sleeper, but the referee is distracted by Pillman brawling with Jack, which allows Cactus to hit Z-Man with the Butcher's staff for the win. Great formula tag match, it allowed both teams to look good and highlight their strengths.
Everyday Is Like Tom Zenk: Z-Man & Brian Pillman vs Cactus Jack & Abdullah The Butcher (source)
So, I was watching WWE Vintage Collection, when all of a sudden up comes a Z-Man match. Seeing as how I've got 10 minutes to kill, and we've not had a Zenk update for a while, I thought it'd make sense to give it some attention. It's a simple enough story for a tag match: the faces are quick and full of energy, whilst the heels are brawlers who just want to hurt people. Z-Man fights out of the opposition corner early and takes over on Cactus with some nice high flying offence. He does get caught in an Abby nerve hold, which he then breaks out of before hitting a nice enzuigiri. Pillman is in and full of gusto, which is why I always like face teams who are smaller and more explosive, where the fans' excitement at the hot tag is matched by the fire of the incoming face. It's certainly the case here, with Pillman ripping into Abby, including hitting the Butcher with an impressive slam. Pillman slips on a springboard attempt and immediately starts selling knee, which was either planned or some very quick improvisation from him. Pillman bumps like a pinball for Abby, which makes some average offence look deadly. Z-Man comes back in and hits a nice pair of superkicks on the Butcher, which Abby sells with an ace glazed expression. Zenk locks on a sleeper, but the referee is distracted by Pillman brawling with Jack, which allows Cactus to hit Z-Man with the Butcher's staff for the win. Great formula tag match, it allowed both teams to look good and highlight their strengths.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Rick Steiner Shoot Interview DVD
| << Previous in Shoot Interviews DVD (2006) | Next in Shoot Interviews DVD (2006) >> |
 | |||
| "The Dogface Gremlin" Rick Steiner talks about his entire career. Steiner has been through it all from early territories like UWF to the big two with NWA/WCW and WWE to being a major star in Japan and he holds nothing back talking about it all here. From his brother to his true feelings on Ric Flair, Steiner isnt afraid to speak his mind. Here is what Steiner talked about: -His collegiate career. -His relationship with his brother growing up. -Training with Eddie Sharky. -His early days in AWA. -Thoughts on Vern Gagne. -Going to work for Bill Watts. -Steiner talks a lot about the controversial Watts? -UWFs travel schedule. -How did the UWF crew treat him as a newcomer? -Who helped him? -Memories of Buzz Sawyer in and out of the ring. -His early matches vs. Steve Williams and Jim Duggan. -Thoughts on Eddie Gilbert. -First impressions of Sting & Jim Hellwig. -Teaming with Sting. -What did they learn together? -Rick talks about his favorite and least favorite guys to work in UWF. -Steiner talks about when he and Steve Williams helped save people in a car accident. -He talks about The Freebirds. -When did he realize UWF was in financial trouble? -Details on when UWF was sold to Jim Crockett. -What was the first show like with Dusty Rhodes as booker. -Is it true some guys almost walked out? -Was he surprised there wasnt an invasion angle? -How did the NWA guys treat the UWF guys? -Were there any problems between the two groups? -Memories of his first Starcade in 1987. -Where did the idea with The Varsity Club come from? -Teaming with Kevin Sullivan and Rick Steiner. -Rick compares Watts and Rhodes as bookers. -Did he like the idea to turn babyface. -His thoughts on Ric Flair. -Changes in the company when Ted Turner bought it. -Was he ever offered a deal by Vince McMahon in the 80s. -Thoughts on Jim Herd. -How close was he to Scott when Scott was in USWA. -Memories of some of the top guys like Terry Funk, El Gigante, Tom Zenk, Brian Pillman, Sid Vicious and Paul Heyman | |||
 | |
| One of the AWA's legendary tag teams, Wayne Bloom and Mike Enos, -The Minnesota Destruction Crew sat down with RF Video for a new shoot interview to cover their entire career. Some may know them as the Beverly Brothers in the WWF, and both Wayne and Mike talked about what it took to survive, and thrive, in the cut throat conditions within the major promotions. This is a great DVD for anyone who was a fan of the AWA, enjoyed good tag team wrestling, or just likes hearing a good story about some of the most colorful characters in the business as Bloom and Enos worked with them all. In a nice treat, Bloom and Enos covered how they met, broke into the business, and became tag team partners. Forget Tough Enough, you'll get the real story on what it takes to get into the wrestling business and what they had to do to develop their noteworthy promos. All the names you loved in the AWA, such as Verne Gagne, the Midnight Rockers, and Tom Zenk, get their due in this entertaining shoot! | |
Ghosts from Wrestling Past
Times were tough for the old WCW in the late-eighties, it seemed that most of the quality wrestlers left or were fired.
It was a real bitch to be a wrestling fan and Greensboro 's crowds started to drop off. I had gone to Baltimore one last time and watched first hand the destruction of the great Mid-Atlantic territory. This was the infamous show where Ric Flair left for the WWF and I watched a stunningly bad championship match with Lex Luger verses Barry Windom. This was a show that is still considered by most fans as the worst show ever and I was witness to a lot of fan hatred and a promotion who really didn't give a shit.
Security was really going nuts trying to locate and destroy all the negative signs in the crowd. Always remember that at the start of a show, the announcer would ask everyone to hold up their signs to 'see how creative they are.' All they wanted to do was steal your sign.
I snuck in a sign that said, "WE WANT FLAIR!" and hid it under Big Eddie. That sign really got the fans going when I stood on my chair and got the crowd chanting for the Nature Boy. I know this got over the noise sweetener because a lot of folks said they heard it on the pay for view.
There were two other memorable moments on this show. First, they had a lumberjack match and walking to ring side was P.N. News wearing a t-shirt and cut off pants. The guy looked like a wreak and as he stood there at ringside some guy yelled right into his face in an amazing Yankee accent and I quote, "NEWS, YOU FAT FUCK!"
News just stood there in his flip-flop shoes like the fat fuck that he was and I laughed my ass off.
Second, the next morning I witnessed at the bar Dusty Rhodes and David Crockett toasting and celebrating their freedom from Ric Flair. And I can tell you this, David Crockett looked at Dusty like he was his long lost girl friend with stars in his eyes. Which struck me as very creepy. These two guys were really happy that Flair was gone and it made me sick.
Note to readers, this is another reason why I hate Dusty Rhodes and you should too.
At the next Greensboro card I got this brainstorm. The main event was going to be a cage match with five on five. This match had sinker written all over it. So this is what happened. When all these guys walked to the ring, we put bags on our heads. Not just any bags but bags with the name of all the great talent that was gone from the promotion. These bags had the following names written on them. Flair, Blanchard Arn Anderson, Hawk, Animal, Jim Cornette, Stan Lane , Bobby Eaton, Steamboat, Buzz Sawyer and a few others I can't remember but you get the drift.
Then I held up a large sign that said, "GHOSTS FROM WRESTLING PAST!"
We then all began moaning like ghosts haunting the Coliseum.
I think I was under the Arn bag.
When Kevin Sullivan and Sting came out they totally lost it laughing. Sullivan just took a look and screamed laughing,
"That's Funny! That's Great!"
Then Tom Zenk walked over shook my hand and said, "Come on guys, Get Serious! This is wrestling!"..............
Breaking News: Kitty Kelley Tell-All of Linda McMahon Will "Shock, Surprise"
(Hollywood, CA) - An upcoming biography of World Wrestling Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Linda McMahon by famed tell-all novelist Kitty Kelley will "shock and surprise" people, according to anonymous sources.
"People see Linda McMahon on television and think she's this quiet, reserved, and slightly ugly, woman," said our source, whom we swear isn't Dr. Tom Pritchard. "But there's a whole other side to her that will come out in this book."
Among the dirt allegedly spilled in the book "Linda McMahon: Wrestling Whore" are the following claims:
She killed the original Dink The Clown during a 1994 argument over an evening's payoff.
Stephanie McMahon was fathered not by Vince, but rather Harley Race.
In the late-1990's, she was often seen backstage chanting Satanic verses along with members of The Ministry of Darkness.
She came up with the entire WCW/ECW InVasion angle and threatened to "bitch slap" anyone who tinkered with her storylines.
Her ill-advised attempt to market Ravishing Rick Rude-brand condoms in 1989.
Once spotted running out of Titan Towers, chasing after Sean Mooney with a tire iron.
She had a torrid four-year love affair with Mister Bob Backlund that culminated in the December 1983 "throw in the towel" finish.
She was originally going to be the person behind GTV.
(Unlike other wrestling-related books such as this one and this one, which we at World Wrestling Insanity News can proudly vouch for.)
And Kelley, who has previously written tell-alls on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan and others, surprisingly did not return phone calls when contacted by a website about professional wrestling. This makes us just think that she's trying to keep the book launch a secret for now.
"Just wait till you get to know the real Linda," laughed our source. "She'll rue the day she forced herself on me, or my name's not Tom Pri… I mean… uh, Tom… Zenk."
-30-
Canadian Bulldog is a borderline journalist who writes weekly for World Wrestling Insanity and Online Onslaught and has published his own book of nutty e-mails to wrestlers. See his obscenely expensive Canadian BullBLOG for more details. He welcomes your comments at CanadianBulldog@worldwrestlinginsanity.com
The Honky Tonk Man on ClubWWI.com - 42 Minutes: The False Rumor About Him Started In Mick Foley's Book, The Former I.C. Champion Who Came Up With "Rhythm and Blues," Rowdy Roddy "PiperNutz," The Two People Still On His Ass-Whooping List, Pushing Elizabeth, The Person Who Came Up With The Vote of Confidence Campaign, The People Who Played Peggy Sue, Why He Left WCW, Rockabilly, Tom Zenk, Killer Kowalski, and More
Monday, May 2, 2011
Miami Herald - May 10, 1992 - 10D SPORTS
ATLANTA VIOLENCE MOVES EX-VILLAIN Ramblings from the ring: * Kudos to World Championship Wrestling for its increase in charity work. Teddy Long, a notorious manager of villains, has shown his out-of-the-ring character through participation in several events in the inner-city area of Atlanta. Long, WCW executive vice president Kip Frey, Tom Zenk, and Rick and Scott Steiner visited an Atlanta housing project last Monday where violence erupted after the Rodney King verdict in Los Angeles.
ATLANTA VIOLENCE MOVES EX-VILLAIN Ramblings from the ring: * Kudos to World Championship Wrestling for its increase in charity work. Teddy Long, a notorious manager of villains, has shown his out-of-the-ring character through participation in several events in the inner-city area of Atlanta. Long, WCW executive vice president Kip Frey, Tom Zenk, and Rick and Scott Steiner visited an Atlanta housing project last Monday where violence erupted after the Rodney King verdict in Los Angeles.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Entrant###30 - 04-09-2011
I used to read Tom Zenk´s rants back in the day (whatever did happen to his columns?) and he was always quick to point out that while Michaels no doubt had a serious back injury, he was just biding his time to return when Austin and Rocky were out of the way. And lo and behold, when does Shawn seemingly make a miraculous recovery in time to fight his buddy HHH???? Looks like Zenk was right about Shawn. Probably something to Helms beliefs that HBK is still a wolf in Sheeps clothing despite his new outlook on life. Friday, April 29, 2011
Mark Satrang
Pro Wrestling Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/pro-wrestling-in-national/top-wcw-pay-perviews#ixzz1KtlIph6v
#2 – WCW WrestleWar ‘92
Everything I said about SuperBrawl II in regards to the no nonsense wrestling and great matches completely applies here, which is no coincidence since they followed each other in pay per view chronology. The top three matches save the show and just blow anything the WWF was putting out at the time away. Two best friends Flyin’ Brian Pillman and “Z-Man” Tom Zenk battled over Pillman’s Light Heavyweight Championship. They told a story of two friends putting aside their friendship for the sake of a Championship, money and glory and put together a four star match to boot.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
WOM 1/18/88
Dave Meltzer in Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 18 January, 1988 reported -
-- Tom Zenk's legal problems with the WWF were also settled out of court, as the WWF sued Zenk for $70,000 for breach of contract. He'll have to give Titan a percentage of his earnings in 1988, but it will be a much smaller percentage than the WWF originally wanted. The whole deal was that the WWF wanted to make an example out of him.
AWA
-- Tom Zenk agreed to start working for the AWA. Zenk signed on the advice of Giant Baba, who wants to push him, but feels he has to make a name for himself in the US first.
-- Tom Zenk agreed to start working for the AWA. Zenk signed on the advice of Giant Baba, who wants to push him, but feels he has to make a name for himself in the US first.
WON 1/25/88
Summary of Meltzer Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 25 January, 1988
AWA
-- The Midnight Rockers are now the tag champions. The storyline, which they were forced to do after the fact, was that the 12/27 match against Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose ended with a double pin, but when Stanley Blackburn reviewed the tape, he overruled the referee and made the Rockers the champions. The actual story is that the Original Midnight Express have quit the AWA. Announcer Larry Nelson said on TV, "We have heard a rumor they got hurt." Rose wasn't making any money and wanted a guarantee to make it worth his time to commute from Georgia. Condrey had a guarantee, but it was cut by Verne Gagne, so Condrey quit on the spot. There was talk of them coming back and jobbing the belts in the ring, but Verne simply decided he wanted nothing to do with them anymore. Dave says he has heard varying stories on Paul E. Dangerously -- both that he's still with them and that he's not with them -- but that Paul E. was not at the last TV taping. The Rockers are still wrestling instead of Memphis and not in the AWA, but everyone expects that to change soon.
-- Tom Zenk is in and will probably get a good push, but Dave worries that Verne will bank on him too much. Zenk coming in is why Verne has been hesitant to really push Nord the Barbarian all that hard, although he's probably the most over wrestler in the Twin Cities at this point, aside from Hogan. They are afraid to push him too much because they don't think he will stick around.
AWA
-- The Midnight Rockers are now the tag champions. The storyline, which they were forced to do after the fact, was that the 12/27 match against Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose ended with a double pin, but when Stanley Blackburn reviewed the tape, he overruled the referee and made the Rockers the champions. The actual story is that the Original Midnight Express have quit the AWA. Announcer Larry Nelson said on TV, "We have heard a rumor they got hurt." Rose wasn't making any money and wanted a guarantee to make it worth his time to commute from Georgia. Condrey had a guarantee, but it was cut by Verne Gagne, so Condrey quit on the spot. There was talk of them coming back and jobbing the belts in the ring, but Verne simply decided he wanted nothing to do with them anymore. Dave says he has heard varying stories on Paul E. Dangerously -- both that he's still with them and that he's not with them -- but that Paul E. was not at the last TV taping. The Rockers are still wrestling instead of Memphis and not in the AWA, but everyone expects that to change soon.
-- Tom Zenk is in and will probably get a good push, but Dave worries that Verne will bank on him too much. Zenk coming in is why Verne has been hesitant to really push Nord the Barbarian all that hard, although he's probably the most over wrestler in the Twin Cities at this point, aside from Hogan. They are afraid to push him too much because they don't think he will stick around.
WON 2/15/1988
Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 15 February, 1988 reported
AWA
-- The final card at the Minneapolis Auditorium happened on 02/04 before a low turnout of 1,700 fans. They were hyping it as Nostalgia Night, and the WWF countered by running "Mad Dog Vachon Night" in the same market the following week, and even ended up bringing in old AWA stars for their show like The Crusher, Nick Bockwinkel and Blackjack Lanza. Verne had Red Bastien, Killer Kowalski, Carl Eller (never wrestled, but was a member of the Minnesota Vikings Purple People Eaters front four in the early 70s), Butch Levy, Leo Nomellini, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Dick the Bruiser (who wrestled), Billy Robinson and perennial jobber Kenny "Sodbuster" Jay, who actually got the biggest pop. Verne Gagne and Stanley Blackburn were in attendance as well. Dave says Zenk/Robinson stood out in the wrong way, because Zenk is the only potential contender they have for Hennig, and a 50-year old guy took him to a 20-minute draw. He also controlled the entire match, which was in slow motion and Zenk had no opportunity to do anything to get himself over. The AWA now doesn't have a venue lined out for the Twin Cities.
-- Adrian Adonis is out until March at the earliest. The match where he broke his ankle was a match against Ricky Rice that did air on TV.
-- Kelly Kiniski quit. He was unhappy with his $170 weekly check and went back to Canada.
-- Nord the Barbarian quit. He's hugely over in the AWA because of his car commercials, but Verne never wanted to push him because he didn't think he could last.
-- Still no word on the future of Paul E. Dangerously.
AWA
-- The final card at the Minneapolis Auditorium happened on 02/04 before a low turnout of 1,700 fans. They were hyping it as Nostalgia Night, and the WWF countered by running "Mad Dog Vachon Night" in the same market the following week, and even ended up bringing in old AWA stars for their show like The Crusher, Nick Bockwinkel and Blackjack Lanza. Verne had Red Bastien, Killer Kowalski, Carl Eller (never wrestled, but was a member of the Minnesota Vikings Purple People Eaters front four in the early 70s), Butch Levy, Leo Nomellini, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Dick the Bruiser (who wrestled), Billy Robinson and perennial jobber Kenny "Sodbuster" Jay, who actually got the biggest pop. Verne Gagne and Stanley Blackburn were in attendance as well. Dave says Zenk/Robinson stood out in the wrong way, because Zenk is the only potential contender they have for Hennig, and a 50-year old guy took him to a 20-minute draw. He also controlled the entire match, which was in slow motion and Zenk had no opportunity to do anything to get himself over. The AWA now doesn't have a venue lined out for the Twin Cities.
-- Adrian Adonis is out until March at the earliest. The match where he broke his ankle was a match against Ricky Rice that did air on TV.
-- Kelly Kiniski quit. He was unhappy with his $170 weekly check and went back to Canada.
-- Nord the Barbarian quit. He's hugely over in the AWA because of his car commercials, but Verne never wanted to push him because he didn't think he could last.
-- Still no word on the future of Paul E. Dangerously.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)