Tom Zenk Death – Heart Disease
Former WWF and WCW talent, “Z-Man” Tom Zenk – dead at 59
1949-2017 (Age 59)
Z-Man, Tom Zenk has passed away at age 59. Zenk suffered from heart disease and an enlarged heart.
WWF fans may remember him as one half of the Can-Am Connection, opposite Rick Martel. The duo had a brief run in 1987, including an appearance at WrestleMania III.
After departing the WWF, Zenk spent most of the late 80s touring Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Zenk’s most memorable run came in the early 90s when he joined WCW. Dubbed “The Z-Man”, Zenk won tag team gold with the late Brian Pillman.
Tom Zenk (left) and Rick Martel from the The Can-Am Connection. WWF, 1987.
Battling injuries, Zenk disappeared from the spotlight in the mid 90s.
According to the Observer “Zenk testified against Vince McMahon in his 1994 trial, and later, pretty much disappeared after legal threats were made regarding comments he made.”
Tom Zenk was the last surviving pro wrestler from Robbinsdale High School’s class of ’76, which included “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, “Ravishing” Rick Rude and Brady Boone.
Robbinsdale, Minnesota is located 9 miles northwest of Minneapolis with a population of 13,953 according to the 2010 census.
Several wrestling personalities have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Tom Zenk:
THE TOM ZENK EXCELLENT ATHLETE EXCELLENT PERFORMER. HE COME FROM THE MINNESOTA I TEACH HIM THE A TO THE Z. HE RESPECT THE LEGEND AND I LOVE HIM FOREVER pic.twitter.com/fktz3cusBx
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) December 17, 2017
Just found out that Tom Zenk passed away. I always got along with him and he was always super nice to me when I knew him from WCW in 1989-1994 and for a min in AWF in 1996.I hope he’s at peace
— Missy Hyatt (@missyhyatt) December 17, 2017
Zenk passed on December 9th, 2017 though the news didn’t hit media until December 17th after an obituary was posted in the Star Tribune.
WCW U.S. Tag Team Champions: “Z-Man” Tom Zenk (left) and Flyin’ Brian. 1989.
The Tribune notes that Zenk was living in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, and passed away at the North Memorial Medical Center.
Pro Wrestling Sheet reported Tom Zenk died from heart disease and an enlarged heart – confirmed by a representative of the Hennepin County Medical Examiner in Minneapolis.
Our condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Zenk.
Have any fun memories of the Z-Man? Share them in our comments section below.
