01 · 1989–1990
Overview
Tom Zenk entered the National Wrestling Alliance in September 1989 at a moment of rapid change. Turner ownership had brought guaranteed contracts and national television to the promotion, while the roster was being rebuilt around an emerging generation of athletic babyfaces.
12 Sep 1989NWA television debut
Z-ManNational television identity
12 Feb 1990US Tag Team Champion
4 Dec 1990World Television Champion
After tours of Japan and a high-profile WWF run with Rick Martel, Zenk was recruited to the Turner organization on a guaranteed two-year agreement. Early plans briefly proposed a caped “Zodiac Man” character. Zenk rejected the concept, and the name was shortened to “Z-Man”—a label that arrived on television with little advance explanation but became inseparable from this chapter of his career.
His first broadcast appearance came at Clash of the Champions VIII: Fall Brawl in Columbia, South Carolina, where he submitted the Cuban Assassin with a sleeper. He moved immediately into television and arena programs against Mike Rotunda, Norman, Lex Luger, Ric Flair and the promotion’s heavyweight heels.
The period also paired him repeatedly with Brian Pillman. Their fast, aerial style gave the company a modern babyface team, and on 12 February 1990 they defeated the Fabulous Freebirds to win the revived United States Tag Team Championship. Their partnership—sometimes promoted simply as Z-Man and Flyin’ Brian—became one of the clearest through-lines of Zenk’s first full year.
Zenk’s singles schedule placed him opposite Ric Flair, Big Van Vader, Stan Hansen, Sid Vicious, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton. The range was striking: technical television matches, short showcase bouts, national pay-per-view appearances and physically contrasting programs with much larger opponents.
The archive culminates with Zenk defeating Arn Anderson at Center Stage in Atlanta on 4 December 1990 to win the NWA World Television Championship. The victory closed a year in which his role expanded from newly introduced prospect to nationally recognized champion.
From “white-meat babyface” to the Z-Man: two years of television, arena cards, partnerships, rivalries and championship milestones preserved in contemporary words and pictures.
02 · Contemporary press
Magazine Coverage
The wrestling press documented Zenk’s arrival, the Z-Man presentation, the team with Brian Pillman, clashes with the promotion’s leading heavyweights and the 1990 championship story.
03 · The record
Match Results and Action Images
A chronological record of every Zenk or Z-Man appearance—television tapings, arena cards, pay-per-view appearances and title matches.
1989 Results
| September 12, 1989, Carolina Coliseum, Columbia, SC - Clash of the Champions VIII “Fall | Tom Zenk defeated the Cuban Assassin via submission with a sleeper at 3:37; Zenk’s theme resembled the theme of Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ (Zenk’s debut) |
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| September 14, 1989, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Mike Awesome via submission with the sleeper at 1:44 |
| September 18, 1989, Civic Center, Roanoke, VA | Power Hour – 9/29/89 – featured the Weekly Top 10 rankings: 10) Tom Zenk, 9) Norman, 8) Steve |
| September 20, 1989, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA 205 | Tom Zenk defeated Tommy Angel via submission with the sleeper at 4:57 |
| September 23, 1989, Coliseum, Richmond, VA | Tom Zenk defeated Dick Slater |
| September 27, 1989, Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, MA (700) | Tom Zenk pinned Norman at 10:29 with a crossbody off the top |
| September 28, 1989, Troy, NY | Tom Zenk defeated Norman |
| September 29, 1989, Syracuse, NY | Tom Zenk defeated Norman |
| September 30, 1989, Buffalo, NY | Tom Zenk defeated Norman |
| October 1, 1989 – War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, NY | Tom Zenk defeated Norman · Pro – 10/21/89 – included a promo by Tom Zenk about facing Mike Rotunda at Halloween Havoc · Tom Zenk defeated Lee Scott via submission with the sleeper at 1:44 |
| October 3, 1989, Farm Show Complex Arena, Harrisburgh, PA | Tom Zenk vs Ron Simmons |
| October 4, 1989, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Bob Cook via submission with the sleeper at 3:23; during the bout, it was mentioned Zenk would make his Omni debut the following day · Tom Zenk defeated Keith Stienborn via submission with the sleeper at 3:45; prior to the bout, Jim · Ross spoke with Zenk about the previous brawl between Luger and Pillman and Zenk facing Mike |
| October 5, 1989, King Street Palace, Charleston, SC | Tom Zenk vs. Bill Irwin |
| October 6, 1989, The Scope Coliseum, Norfolk, VA | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 7, 1989, Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 8, 1989, The Omni, Atlanta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 9, 1989 (matinee) Auditorium, West Palm Beach, FL | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Rip Morgan and Jack Victory (originally scheduled as Zenk vs Irwin) |
| October 10, 1989, Orange County Civic Center, Orlando, FL | Tom Zenk defeated the Cuban Assassin (originally scheduled as Zenk vs Dick Slater) |
| October 11, 1989, Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL | Tom Zenk vs. Dick Slater |
| October 12, 1989, Civic Center, Tallahassee, FL | Tom Zenk vs. Dick Slater |
| October 13, 1989, Expo Hall, Mobile, AL | Tom Zenk vs. Dick Slater · Z-Man vs Bill Irwin, TV taping, Greenville Municipal Auditorium, |
| October 14, 1989, Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD (4,500) | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 15, 1989, Coliseum, Greensboro, NC | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 16, 1989, Greenville Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, SC | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 17, 1989 (matinee), Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA (1,800; sell out) | Z-Man vs Bill Irwin, TV taping, Greenville Municipal Auditorium, |
| October 16, 1989 213 | Tom Zenk defeated Thad Clark via submission with the sleeper at 3:26 · Tom Zenk defeated Pat Rose via submission with the sleeper at 5:09 |
| October 18, 1989, Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, TN | Tom Zenk vs. Bill Irwin · Tom Zenk vs Bill Irwin |
| October 20, 1989, The Armory, Washington DC | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 10, 1989 | Tom Zenk defeated Gene Ligon via submission with the sleeper at 4:28; prior to the bout, Zenk cut an insert promo on facing Mike Rotunda at Halloween Havoc |
| October 21, 1989, Civic Center, Roanoke, VA | Tom Zenk vs. Bill Irwin |
| October 22, 1989 (matinee), Boylan High School, Rockford, IL | Tom Zenk vs. Bill Irwin |
| October 22, 1989, UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 24, 1989, Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, AR | Tom Zenk vs. Bill Irwin |
| October 27, 1989, Coliseum, Richmond, VA (4,500) | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin |
| October 28, 1989, Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA - Halloween Havoc ‘89 “Settling the Score” | Tom Zenk pinned Mike Rotunda at 13:26 when the momentum of a reverse crossbody off the middle turnbuckle put Zenk on top for the win |
| October 29, 1989, Coliseum, Charlotte, NC | Tom Zenk vs. Bill Irwin |
| October 30, 1989 (matinee), Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA 219 | Power Hour – 11/10/89 – it was announced Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman would face NWA Tag Team |
| November 1, 1989 (matinee), Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | titles at around the 19-minute mark; after the bout, Tom Zenk, Brian Pillman, Shane Douglas & |
| November 2, 1989, The Scope, Norfolk, VA | Tom Zenk defeated Mike Rotunda |
| November 3, 1989, Cumberland County Civic Center, Fayetteville, NC | Tom Zenk defeated Mike Rotunda |
| November 4, 1989, McDonald Arena, SMSU Campus, Springfield, MO (2,800; sell out) | Tom Zenk defeated Mike Rotunda |
| November 5, 1989, Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN | Tom Zenk defeated Mike Rotunda |
| November 6, 1989, Civic Center, Savannah, GA | Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin on facing Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk later in the show; featured comments from Pillman, who challenged NWA US Champion Lex Luger to give him a title shot on a future edition of Worldwide; · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin via DQ in a non-title match at 7:05 when Hayes & Garvin began double teaming Zenk, the illegal man; after the bout, Pillman helped clear the ring |
| November 7, 1989, Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC | Tom Zenk vs. Mike Rotunda |
| November 8, 1989, Boutwell Auditorium, Birmingham, AL | Tom Zenk vs Mike Rotunda |
| November 9, 1989, Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN | Mike Rotunda defeated Tom Zenk |
| November 10, 1989, Civic Center, Asheville, NC | Tom Zenk vs. Mike Rotunda |
| November 11, 1989, Myriad Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK | Tom Zenk vs. Mike Rotunda |
| November 12, 1989, Civic Center, Amarillo, TX – | Tom Zenk vs. Mike Rotunda |
| November 15, 1989, RPI Fieldhouse, Troy, NY - Clash of the Champions IX “New York Knock | Tom Zenk vs Super Destroyer (Jack Victory) was scheduled but didn’t occur. |
| November 17, 1989, New Orleans, LA | Tom Zenk vs Mike Rotunda |
| November 18, 1989, Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik · NWA US Champion Lex Luger pinned Tom Zenk (sub. for an injured Brian Pillman) after hitting him with the title belt |
| November 19, 1989, Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA (3,400) | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik at 5:13 · NWA US Champion Lex Luger defeated Tom Zenk (sub. for Brian Pillman [title]) at 13:10 |
| November 20, 1989, Fairgrounds Coliseum, Columbus, OH – (2,500) | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik · Tom Zenk defeated Agent Steel via submission at 1:13 with the sleeper |
| November 21, 1989, Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC | Freebirds vs Zenk/Pillman [tag team title bout] scheduled but cancelled due to injuries to Hayes, Garvin and Pillman · Tom Zenk defeated Bob Emory via submission with the sleeper at the 8-minute mark |
| November 22, 1989, New Coliseum, Charlotte, NC | Freebirds vs Zenk/Pillman [tag team title bout] scheduled but cancelled due to injuries to Hayes, Garvin and Pillman |
| November 23, 1989, The Omni, Atlanta, GA | Freebirds vs Zenk/Pillman [tag team title bout] scheduled but cancelled due to injuries to Hayes, Garvin and Pillman |
| November 25, 1989 (matinee), Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA (1,400) | Freebirds vs Zenk/Pillman [tag team title bout] scheduled but cancelled due to injuries to Hayes, Garvin and Pillman · Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes |
| November 25, 1989, Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD | Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| November 26, 1989 (matinee), Coliseum, New Haven, CT | Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| November 27, 1989, Civic Center, Pensacola, FL (1,100) | Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin · Tom Zenk defeated the Pro |
| November 28, 1989 (matinee), Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Freebirds vs Zenk/Pillman [tag team title bout] scheduled but cancelled due to injuries to Garvin and · Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes · Tom Zenk defeated the Galaxian via submission at 5:50 with the sleeper |
| November 29, 1989, Civic Center, Albany, GA | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| November 30, 1989, Municipal Auditorium, Columbus, GA (1,900) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| December 1, 1989, Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin scheduled but cancelled · Tom Zenk defeated Jimmy Garvin |
| December 2, 1989, Convention Center, Nashville, TN | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin scheduled but did not occur · Tom Zenk defeated Jimmy Garvin |
| December 3, 1989 (matinee), Viking Hall, Bristol, TN | Tom Zenk defeated Joe Cazana |
| December 4, 1989, Armory Civic Center, Beckley, WV (1,200) | right) Z-Man vs Luger, |
| December 7, 1989, Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin scheduled but cancelled due to Pillman injured · Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated Tom Zenk & Ranger Ross |
| December 5, 1989 (matinee), UD Arena, Dayton, OH (2,000) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin scheduled but cancelled due to Pillman injured · Tom Zenk defeated Nasty Ned |
| December 7, 1989, Memorial Auditorium (The Aud), Buffalo, NY (2,000) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin · NWA US Champion Lex Luger pinned Tom Zenk (sub. for Sting) |
| December 8, 1989, The Scope, Norfolk, VA | Zenk and Brian Pillman vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin scheduled but cancelled when Pillman and Zenk no showed because of weather |
| December 9, 1989, Armory, Washington DC (1,000) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| December 10, 1989 (matinee), Coliseum, Greensboro, NC | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bob Cook & Ned Brady · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin via DQ |
| December 14, 1989, Civic Center, Peoria, IL (3,500; heavily papered) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin · Tom Zenk pinned Galaxian II with a dropkick from the middle turnbuckle at 10:17 |
| December 15, 1989, Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO (1,300) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin · Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman - "the lost boys" · Cornette, Tom Zenk was booked to more than 70 singles and tag matches (with Brian Pillman) losing only 5. In the remaining 8 months (May to December 1990), with a booking committee presided over by Ole Anderson, (Alan Rogowski, aka ‘Rock’), Zenk was booked to around 65 matches, mainly against ‘green workers’ and 'monster heels', losing more than 50%. · failing to recognize Zenk's talent or push it. Anderson's problem with Zenk, Pillman and others stemmed from his general rejection of long term contracts for wrestlers. Anderson grew up in the old promotions where wrestlers were hired and fired at will. On the other hand, Zenk and · WWF when their contracts expired in early 1991. Zenk on the other hand had a 2 year contract (unusual at the time), was contracted for an additional eighteen months and had burned all bridges with the McMahons. It would need additional pressure to make Zenk quit. When Zenk refused to go, Anderson applied the simple logic that "getting beat kills your career" and piled on the losses and humiliations. Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman became, in their own words, |
1990 Results
| January 3, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | –Michael Hayes targetted Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk and said he and Jimmy Garvin would rearrange their faces, finishing by saying there weren’t just two Freebirds but four · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright at 8:16 when · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated the Italian Stallion & Randy Harris when Zenk pinned Harris after a slingshot splash into the ring |
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| January 4, 1990, Civic Center, Roanoke, VA | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Fabulous Freedbirds (Hayes and Garvin) |
| January 5, 1990, Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC (4,300) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin via DQ |
| January 6, 1990, University Hall, Charlottesville, VA (5,500) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin via DQ |
| January 9, 1990, Civic Center, Saginaw, MI (announced as a sell out) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated the Galaxians at 7:16 when Zenk defeated Galaxian #2 with a slingshot splash; during the bout, an insert promo from Pillman & Zenk aired in which they talked about the NWA US Tag Team Title tournament |
| January 10, 1990, Seagate Center, Toledo, OH | ropes for leverage but the bout continued after Tom Zenk came out and told the referee what happened · Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Fabulous Freebirds scheduled but Garvin injured · Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes with a roll up |
| January 11, 1990, Civic Center, Hammond, IN (5,400; sell out) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Fabulous Freebirds scheduled but Garvin injured · Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes |
| January 12, 1990, Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (4,500) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Fabulous Freebirds scheduled but Garvin injured |
| January 11, 1990 | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin via DQ |
| January 14, 1990 (matinee), Civic Center, Asheville, NC | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| January 15, 1990, Freedom Hall, Johnson City, TN | It was announced that NWA US Champion Lex Luger would face Tom Zenk the following week on the Power Hour |
| January 17, 1990, Von Braun Civic Center, Huntsville, AL | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Hacksaw Higgins & Bob Cook 243 |
| January 18, 1990, Goettge Fieldhouse, Camp LeJune, NC | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| January 23, 1990, Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, SC | Power Hour – 2/2/90 –it was announced NWA US Champion Lex Luger would not face Tom Zenk later in the show, as previously announced, but NWA World Champion Ric Flair would face Zenk in Luger’s place · NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Tom Zenk at 16:29 with a roll over and grabbing the tights for leverage · NWA US Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarter-Finals: Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated · Jack Victory & Rip Morgan (w/ Lord Littlebrook) at 7:45 when Zenk pinned Morgan following an elbow drop behind the referee’s back as Morgan had Zenk covered, moments after Victory did the same move behind the referee’s back to Zenk; during the contest, it was noted Pillman & Zenk would face Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin at Wrestle War 90 and the MOD Squad at the upcoming Clash of the Champions |
| January 30, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA | NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Tom Zenk 245 · Zenk had advanced in the NWA US Tag Team Championship Tournament; |
| January 31, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | World Championship Wrestling – 2/3/90 – included a pre-taped promo by Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk regarding their rivalry with Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin, facing them the following week in · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk appeared ringside; during the match, it was announced Hayes & · Garvin would face Pillman & Zenk in a streetfight the following Saturday in Cincinnati, OH · Zenk match from 2/3/90 Worldwide |
| February 3, 1990, State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City, OK | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| February 4, 1990, Convention Center, Dallas, TX (2,500) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| February 6, 1990, Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, TX - Clash of the Champions X “Texas | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated the Mod Squad at 9:57 when Zenk pinned Basher with a reverse crossbody from the middle turnbuckle · cage as well to meet him, but was held back by security, Brian Pillman, Tom Zenk, NWA Tag Team |
| February 7, 1990, Civic Center, Beaumont, TX (3,500) | NWA US Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Finals: Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated · off the top after Eaton missed a Rocket Launcher on Zenk |
| February 8, 1990, Bell County Exposition Center, Belton, TX | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Fabulous Freebirds |
| February 9, 1990, Hemisfair Arena, San Antonio, TX (2,000) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| February 10, 1990, Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (3,300) | NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson defeated Tom Zenk (sub. Muta who quit) · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jim Garvin in a streetfight |
| February 11, 1990 (matinee), Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN (4,000) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jim Garvin |
| February 12, 1990, Civic Center, Rainesville, AL | Anderson, and Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk to win their respective matches during Sunday’s Wrestle War; · Pillman & Tom Zenk cut a promo on facing Hayes & Garvin · NWA United States Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals: Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin to win the titles at 8:54 when Zenk pinned Hayes after · Pillman hit a springboard clothesline into the ring as Hayes attempted the DDT on Zenk |
| February 13, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA | match from the 2/17/90 Worldwide between Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk and Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane, followed by a promo by Pillman & Zenk about being in the finals and facing Hayes & Garvin at Wrestle |
| February 14, 1990, Civic Center, Albany, GA | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| February 15, 1990, Civic Center, Augusta, GA | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| February 17, 1990, Oman Arena, Jackson, TN | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| February 18, 1990, Charles Murphy Athletic Center, Murfreesboro, TN | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin |
| March 25, 1990 | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin 251 |
| February 20, 1990, Civic Center, Ozark, AR – (3,400) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Gladiator & Fred Avery |
| February 22, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Power Hour – 3/2/90 NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael · Eaton & Stan Lane attacked Pillman on the floor as Zenk was double teamed inside the ring;, · Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson made the save against Hayes & Garvin while Pillman & Zenk fought off Eaton & Lane · 3/3/90 –featured footage from Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk beating Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin in the finals of the NWA US Tag Team Tournament, followed by a promo by Pillman & Zenk regarding the title win and facing all challengers · Pillman & Tom Zenk the following week |
| February 25, 1990, Coliseum, Greensboro, NC - Wrestle War ‘90: Wild Thing (9,894; 7,500 paid) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy · Garvin attempted the DDT on Zenk; after the bout, Hayes & Garvin attacked the champions |
| February 26, 1990, Raleigh County Armory Civic Center, Beckley, WV (5,000; sell out) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Jack Victory & Rip Morgan |
| February 28, 1990, Jaffa Mosque, Altoona, PA (4,200) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (w/ · Jim Cornette) via DQ at around the 12-minute mark; after the contest, Pillman & Zenk were attacked, with Zenk being tossed to the floor before Eaton & Lane hit an elevated Alabama Jam to · US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk regarding the injury, during which Ross said the NWA was fining · would hurt Pillman & Zenk if they tried to take the belts back · NWA World Champion Ric Flair and NWA Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk would be on the program the following week |
| March 5, 1990, Amarillo, TX | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Jimmy Garvin & Steve Casey (sub. for Michael Hayes) |
| March 6, 1990, Civic Center, Lubbock, TX | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs Fabulous Freebirds |
| March 7, 1990, Chapparal Center, Midland College, Midland, TX | US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs Fabulous Freebirds |
| March 8, 1990, County Coliseum, El Paso, TX | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs Fabulous Freebirds |
| March 9, 1990, Township, Columbia, SC | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 10, 1990, South Florence High School, Florence, SC | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 11, 1990, The Omni, Atlanta, GA (8,300) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Jimmy Garvin & Steve |
| March 12, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Zan Panzer & Rick Fargo (sub. for Hayes and Garvin) when Pillman pinned Fargo after a back suplex / missile dropkick double team |
| March 13, 1990, Municipal Auditorium, Columbus, GA | & Tom Zenk on Pillman facing Bobby Eaton later in the show · NWA US Tag Team Champion Brian Pillman (w/ NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk, wearing a Sting T-shirt) defeated Bobby Eaton (w/ Jim Cornette & Stan Lane) at 10:42 with a backslide after Zenk pulled Pillman out of the way of the Alabama Jam behind the referee’s back; after the bout, Pillman & Zenk were beaten down by Eaton, Lane, & Cornette |
| March 18, 1990, FIU Golden Panther Arena, Miami, FL | Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk; featured a promo by Pillman & Zenk on defending against the Samoans later in the show; · NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated the New Samoans via DQ at · 16:35 after the challengers shoved the referee and double teamed Zenk, moments after throwing · Z-Man vs Stan Lane (Midnight Express) ankle in the fall 257 |
| March 20, 1990, Civic Center, Saginaw, MI (750) | Eddie Gilbert (sub. for NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk) & NWA US Tag Team |
| March 21, 1990, UD Arena, Dayton, OH (600) | Eddie Gilbert (sub. for NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk) & NWA US Tag Team |
| March 22, 1990, Seagate Center, Toledo, OH | Champion Tom Zenk) defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 23, 1990, UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL (6,500) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 25, 1990, Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD (5,000) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 26, 1990, Cambria County War Memorial Arena, Johnstown, PA | & Tom Zenk · Main Event – 4/8/90 – included the NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. the New Samoans match from the 3/31/90 edition of Pro: · Dark match after the taping: NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated |
| March 27, 1990, Civic Center, Canton, OH | NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk (w/ NWA US Tag Team Champion Brian Pillman) defeated Stan Lane (w/ Bobby Eaton) via DQ when Eaton interfered and attacked Zenk as Zenk had a sleeper applied on Lane; after the bout, Zenk intercepted Jim Cornette’s tennis racquet and used it to clear Eaton & Lane from the ring · Dark match after the taping: NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated |
| March 28, 1990, Harrisonburg High School Gym, Harrisonburg, VA | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 29, 1990, Coliseum, Hampton, VA | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 30, 1990, Coliseum, Richmond, VA | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| March 31, 1990, Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN 263 | NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 1, 1990 (matinee), Civic Center, Asheville, NC | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 1, 1990, Coliseum, Charlotte, NC | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 2, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA (2,012; sell out) | Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman were hiding from Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Minnesota Wrecking |
| April 3, 1990, Coliseum, Gadsden, AL | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 6, 1990, Armory, Washington DC | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 7, 1990, Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane at the 30-minute mark when Zenk defeated Eaton, despite interference from Jim Cornette |
| April 8, 1990, The Omni, Atlanta, GA (8,000) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane at the 23-minute mark |
| April 9, 1990, Leeflore Civic Center, Greenwood, MS (3,000) | were originally to face NWA US Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk · Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (w/ Jim Cornette) defeated NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman in a non-title match after Lane hit Pillman with Cornette’s tennis racquet · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Galaxians |
| April 10, 1990, Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, AR | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Cuban Assassin & Ned · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Paul Drake & Terry Bronson |
| April 12, 1990, Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 13, 1990, Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, TX | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 14, 1990, Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, TX (2,000) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 15, 1990 (matinee), Hemisfair Arena, San Antonio, TX (less than 600) Easter Sunday | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 16, 1990, Civic Center, Beaumont, TX | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| April 17, 1990, Centroplex, Baton Rouge, LA | Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson, NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (w/ Jim Cornette), Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin via DQ when Cornette interfered and hit Zenk with his tennis racket |
| April 19, 1990, Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane · Zenk · NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk defeated Cactus Jack |
| April 21, 1990, Civic Center, Hammond, IN | NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk defeated Jack Victory |
| April 22, 1990, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Cedar Rapids, IA (300) | NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk defeated Stan Lane; the bout was advertised as Zenk & |
| April 23, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA (1,600; sell out) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Outlaw Deaton & Samu when Pillman pinned Samu, despite interference from Jim Cornette · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Joe Cruz & Zan Panzer · Champions Rick & Scott Steiner, NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman made the save and cleared the ring (Windham’s surprise return after a year absence) |
| April 24, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Zenk at Capital Combat · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Mark Kyle & Rick Fargo at · 1:42 when Zenk defeated Fargo with a springboard splash into the ring following an elevated dropkick double team |
| April 26, 1990, Meadowlands, East Rutherford, NJ (9,500) | Robert Gibson & NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk (sub. for Ricky Morton) defeated · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane; stipulations stated the champions would earn 5 minutes in the ring with Jim Cornette if they won; after the contest, Cornette was pinned around the 30-second mark |
| April 28, 1990, Vanguard High School, Ocala, FL (1,700; sell out) | NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk defeated Mark Callous via DQ |
| April 29, 1990 (matinee), Mathis Civic Center, Valdosta, GA (300) | NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk vs. Mark Callous |
| April 30, 1990, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (350) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane at the 30-minute mark in a non-title match |
| May 1, 1990, Civic Center, Rainsville, AL | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated Galaxian #1 & Joe Cruz |
| May 25, 1990 | Scott Steiner, NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman helped clear the ring |
| May 3, 1990, Ritz / Epps Physical Fitness Center, Ft. Bragg, NC | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Samoan Swat Team |
| May 4, 1990, Williamson Fieldhouse, Williamson, WV | Tom Zenk and Tommy Rich vs Samoan Swat Team |
| May 5, 1990, Dobyns-Bennet High School Gym, Kingsport, TN | Tom Zenk and Tommy Rich vs Samoan Swat Team |
| May 9, 1990, Bishop Ludden High School, Syracuse, NY (400) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillmandefeated the Samoan Savage & Samu when Zenk pinned Samu · NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Samoan Savage & Samu when Zenk pinned Samu |
| May 11, 1990, Civic Center, Saginaw, MI (650) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Samoan Swat Team |
| May 12, 1990, Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI (1,700) | NWA US Tag Team ChampionsTom Zenk & Brian Pillman defeated the Samoan Swat Team; · Zenk sustained an injury during the match |
| May 13, 1990, UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL (2,471) | (sub. for NWA US Tag Team Champion Tom Zenk, injured the previous night in Detroit) |
| May 14, 1990, Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN | A new booking sheet issued by new booker Ole Anderson cancelled the match between Tom Zenk and · Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk to win the titles |
| May 15, 1990, Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek, MI | A new booking sheet issued by new booker Ole Anderson cancelling the Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman match booked for this show |
| May 19, 1990, Armory, Washington DC, Capital Combat (7,500; sell out) | A new booking sheet issued by new booker Ole Anderson schedules Zenk and Pillman to drop the tag belts. · Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (w/ Jim Cornette) defeated NWA US Tag Team Champions Tom Zenk & · Brian Pillman to win the titles at 20:20 when Eaton pinned Zenk with an inside cradle following a kick to the back of the head by Lane; Cornette was locked in a cage at ringside for the duration of the match |
| May 21, 1990, Civic Center, Montgomery, AL –– (1,100) | Z-Man vs another 'monster heel', 'Mean' Mark Callous in house shows April/May 1990. 'Callous' aka Mark Calaway quit the company in August · Pillman & Tom Zenk at 9:43 when Lane pinned Zenk after Eaton hit a double axe handle off the top behind the referee’s back as the referee was distracted by Cornette |
| May 22, 1990, Civic Center, Ozark, AL (350) | Scheduled match between Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman and Samoan Swat Team did not occur · Tom Zenk defeated Cactus Jack |
| May 23, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA –– (1,500) | Scheduled match between Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman and Samoan Swat Team did not occur |
| May 26, 1990, Shrine Mosque, Springfield, MO | The tag team of Zenk and Pillman replaced by Rotunda and Pillman |
| May 27, 1990, Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA (1,500) | Mark Callous defeated Tom Zenk with a clothesline and the heart punch |
| May 28, 1990, Coliseum, Richmond, VA | Mark Callous defeated Tom Zenk |
| May 29, 1990, Civic Center, Roanoke, VA | flying action - Z-Man and Flyin' Brian vs the Midnight Express, Wrestling USA, December 1990 2 · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk later in the show; · NWA Tag Team Champions Doom (w/ Teddy Long) defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk at 6.44 when Ron Simmons pinned Zenk after Butch Reed hit a clothesline off the top behind the referee’s back as Zenk had a sleeper applied to Simmons · Tom Zenk from the previous week’s program. |
| May 30, 1990, Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC (1,100) | NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk |
| May 31, 1990, Civic Center, Charleston, WV (1,500) | Mark Callous defeated Tom Zenk |
| June 3, 1990 (matinee), Civic Center, Asheville, NC | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express scheduled but cancelled |
| June 5, 1990, Viking Hall, Bristol, TN | NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk |
| June 6, 1990, Township, Columbia, SC | NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk; after the bout, a ringside fan hit Jim Cornette, giving him a bloody nose; Cornette responded by repeatedly hitting the fan with his tennis racquet; the incident made local media |
| June 8, 1990, Ashbrook High School Gym, Gastonia, NC (200) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express scheduled but did not occur · Tom Zenk defeated the Samoan Savage |
| June 9, 1990, Civic Center, Beckley, WV | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express scheduled but did not occur · Tom Zenk defeated the Samoan Savage |
| June 10, 1990, Civic Center, Frankfort, KY | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express scheduled but did not occur · Tom Zenk vs the Samoan Savage |
| June 11, 1990, St. Lucie Civic Center, Ft. Pierce, FL (2,500) | NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson defeated Tom Zenk · Tom Zenk defeated Pete Sanchez with the missile dropkick (the match and broadcast were joined in progress) |
| June 13, 1990, McAlister Fieldhouse, Charleston, SC - Clash of the Champions XI “Coastal | Mike Rotunda & Tom Zenk defeated Fatu & the Samoan Savage at 5:24 when Rotunda, the illegal man, pinned Fatu with an inside cradle after switching places with Zenk · Tom Zenk not booked from 14 to 20 June on 5/2/90 booking sheet and not booked from 14 to 30 |
| June 21, 1990, County Exhibition Center, Sumter, SC (1,500) | The original booking had Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express (tag titles). In revised bookings there is no match for Zenk while Pillman is booked vs Iron Sheik. Later booking sheets indicates this show may have been cancelled. |
| June 22, 1990, Pate Stadium, Laurinberg, NC | The original booking had Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express (tag title match). Revised booking sheets have no matches for this venue. Later booking sheet indicates this show may have been cancelled. |
| June 23, 1990, Hickory High School, Hickory, NC | The original booking had Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express (tag title match). Revised booking sheets have no matches for this venue. Later booking sheet indicates this show may have been cancelled. |
| June 24, 1990, Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburgh, SC | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express tag title match scheduled on 5/2/90 booking sheet. |
| June 26, 1990, Seagate Center, Toledo, OH | Tom Zenk vs Mark Callous match scheduled on 5/2/90 booking sheet. Later booking sheet indicates this show may have been cancelled. |
| July 1, 1990 | Rick Steiner defeated Mark Callous (Tom Zenk vs Mark |
| June 27, 1990, Coliseum Arena Exhibition Place, Toronto, | Tom Zenk vs Mark Callous match scheduled on 5/2/90 booking sheet |
| June 29, 1990, Mitchell Stadium, Bluefield, WV | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express tag title match scheduled on 5/2/90 booking sheet. Later booking sheet indicates this show may have been cancelled. |
| June 30, 1990, Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman vs Midnight Express tag title match scheduled on 5/2/90 booking sheet. Later booking sheet indicates this show may have been cancelled. |
| July 2, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA | would face Tom Zenk · Tom Zenk defeated NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson via DQ at 7:18 when Barry Windham and · Sid Vicious attacked the challenger as Zenk had Anderson covered following a superkick; after the contest, Anderson, Windham, and Vicious triple teamed Zenk until NWA US Champion Lex |
| July 4, 1990, Coliseum, Greensboro, NC | Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk |
| July 5, 1990, Memorial Stadium, Myrtle Beach, SC | Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk |
| July 6, 1990, The Scope, Norfolk, VA | Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk · defeated Tom Zenk at 2:15 with a clothesline and splash (Vader’s debut) |
| July 8, 1990, Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (1,700) | Tom Zenk defeated Harley Race via DQ - It was after this match that Race told Zenk not to quit despite the pressure from |
| July 9, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated JD Wolf & Crusher Knopf at 2:42 when Zenk pinned Knoff with a springboard splash into the ring following an elevated dropkick from Pillman · World Championship Wrestling – 7/21/90 –included the Tom Zenk vs. Big Van Vader match from the · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright at 10:27 when Zenk pinned Parker following an elevated dropkick double team followed by a springboard splash into the ring; prior to the bout, Norman, in his trucker attire, met with Pillman & Zenk; · Pillman & Zenk cut an insert promo during the bout regarding them getting back into tag team competition · Power Hour – 7/22/90 – included the Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. JD Wolf & Crusher Knopf |
| July 12, 1990, Convention Center, Tulsa, OK (2,981) | Sid Vicious defeated Tom Zenk |
| July 13, 1990, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX | Sid Vicious defeated Tom Zenk |
| July 14, 1990, Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO (2,544) | Sid Vicious defeated Tom Zenk |
| July 16, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA (1,000) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Mike Thor & Bill Ford |
| July 19, 1990, Civic Center, Savannah, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Buddy Landell |
| July 20, 1990, Civic Center, Augusta, GA (3,900) | Tom Zenk defeated Buddy Landell |
| July 21, 1990, Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg, FL (2,700) | Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk · Brian Pillman defeated Mark Callous; Callous originally won the match by cheating but Tom Zenk came out and told the referee what happened; once the match was ordered to restart, Pillman won within seconds |
| July 22, 1990, Knight Center, Miami FL (2,200) | Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk · Z-Man vs Sid Vicious, July 1990 289 · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Fred Avery & Joe Cazana · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Crusher Knopf & Snake Watson at 7:35 when Zenk pinned · Watson with a slingshot splash into the ring after Pillman hit a dropkick to the face as Zenk held · Watson in the air; during the bout, Pillman & Zenk cut an insert promo on being back together as a tag team and having their sights set on tag team gold · Power Hour – 8/5/90 –included the Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Joe Cazana & Fred Avery match from the 8/4/90 edition of Worldwide. |
| July 26, 1990, McAlister Fieldhouse, Charleston, SC | Tom Zenk defeated Buddy Landell |
| July 27, 1990, Coliseum, Richmond, VA | Tom Zenk vs Buddy Landell · Z-Man vs Psycho Sid 291 |
| July 28, 1990, Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN | Tom Zenk vs Sid Vicious |
| July 29, 1990, Civic Center, Asheville, NC | Tom Zenk and Tommy Rich vs Midnight Express |
| July 30, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA | & Tom Zenk challenging NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane the following week; · Tom Zenk ran out and had to be held back from Vicious by referees; after Vicious left the ring, · Pillman, Zenk, and the referees tended to Knight; Vicious then joined the commentary team to say he would give Pillman & Zenk the same beating he gave Knight if they showed up the following week. · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Joe Barrett & Snake Watson at 3:20 when Pillman pinned · was announced Pillman & Zenk would face NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan |
| August 3, 1990, Coliseum, Greensboro, NC (4,000) | Big Van Vader defeated Tom Zenk |
| August 4, 1990, Civic Center, Charleston, WV | Big Van Vader defeated Tom Zenk |
| August 5, 1990, Civic Center, Roanoke, VA | Big Van Vader defeated Tom Zenk |
| August 25, 1990 | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane (w/ |
| August 9, 1990, Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC | Buddy Landell defeated Wendell Cooley (sub. for Tom Zenk who was attending Johnny Ace's wedding) |
| August 10, 1990, Freedom Hall, Johnson City, TN | Wendell Cooley (sub.Tom Zenk) vs Buddy Landell |
| August 11, 1990, Spartan Stadium, Portsmouth, OH | Buddy Landell defeated Wendell Cooley (sub.Tom Zenk) · Buddy Landell defeated Wendell Cooley (sub. Tom Zenk) at 7:56 |
| August 13, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA | incident in which Sid Vicious interfered during the Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. NWA US Tag Team · "Tom Zenk also missed this last weekend. Don't know the situation there, although there are problems there as well. Zenk was fined $2,500 back in May for no-showing a date in Chicago. Since no-showing at that time, and even now, was somewhat of a frequent occurrence without fines anywhere near that level, · Zenk's lawyer protested to management. This hasn't been resolved as far as I know" (Meltzer, WON, · WON, 8/30/90 - Meltzer followed up - "Here's the story on Tom Zenk. The reason he missed the shows last weekend was simply to attend Johnny Ace's wedding, something that had been cleared with the office months earlier. That also explains why he, Ricky Morton, Ron Simmons and Doug Furnas were all booked on shows last weekend when it was well-known they weren't going to be there." |
| August 16, 1990, UTC Arena, Chattanooga, TN | Tom Zenk defeated Zan Panzer (Brad Anderson) |
| August 18, 1990, Herndon Stadium, Hartwell, GA (600) | Tom Zenk defeated Zan Panzer (Brad Anderson) |
| August 18, 1990, State Fairgrounds, Muscle Shoals, AL | Tom Zenk defeated Zan Panzer (Brad Anderson) |
| August 20, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA | football season and he was ready for more tag team matches with Tom Zenk or facing the likes of Stan · consistent. The "B" team to which Zenk has been demoted is bringing in better houses than the "A" Team. "Jim Herd and Ole Anderson aren't seeing eye-to-eye about usage of older talent like Bob Armstrong, |
| August 22, 1990, Memorial Coliseum, Ft. Wayne, IN | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non-title match |
| August 23, 1990, Muhlenberg College Memorial Hall, Allentown, PA | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non- title match |
| August 24, 1990, Meadowlands. East Rutherford, NJ (slightly less than 8,000) | Tom Zenk defeated Dutch Mantell with a backslide at 8:17 |
| August 25, 1990, Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD (4,500) | Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk |
| August 26, 1990, UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL (3,325) 301 | Tom Zenk defeated Dutch Mantell |
| August 28, 1990, Coliseum, Macon, GA | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane |
| August 29, 1990, Barron Stadium, Rome, GA (3,000) | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane · contract and earning less than contracted guys. "Nothing has been settled in Zenk's problems over the $2,500 fine he was levied in May." |
| September 1, 1990, Coliseum, Greensboro, NC (2,600) | Z-Man vs Stan Hansen at houseshows and (below) Clash of Champions XII, "Mountain Madness" · Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk when Lane defeated Zenk after hitting him with Jim Cornette’s tennis racquet - "Super match, four stars easily" – Meltzer (WON |
| September 2, 1990, Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN | Guerrero (sub. Tom Zenk) |
| September 5, 1990, Civic Center, Asheville, NC - Clash of the | Junkyard Dog & El Gigante (9), Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk (8), the Samoan Swat Team (7), Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin (6), · Mike Rotunda (sub. Tom Zenk) defeated Buddy Landell at 5:39 · Stan Hansen defeated Tom Zenk (sub. for Paul Orndorff) with the lariat at 3:18; · job for Stan Hansen on television and was to be replaced by Tom Zenk who would." (Meltzer, WON, · 9/10/90). Zenk had originally been booked against Landell. · Tom Zenk notes in margin of his booking sheet "No sell by Hansen". Zenk tries to work out the logic of Ole · rspw report - "Tom Zenk ... First jobbing for Vader and now for Hansen." |
| September 6, 1990, Convention Center, Tulsa, OK (1,800) | Tom Zenk defeated Blade Hunter (Al Greene) (sub. Mark Callous who quit) · Tom Zenk was omitted from booking sheets from 7 September to 10 September, 1990 |
| September 10, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA (1,100) 305 | Worldwide – 9/22/90 – featured footage from the 9/22/90 Pro of Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Ric Flair & NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson, with NWA Tag Team Champions Doom showing up and brawling with Flair & Anderson · Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman defeated Ric Flair & NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson via DQ when · Anderson dropped Zenk with a DDT on the floor - "Yet another great match… It wound up on the |
| September 11, 1990, UD Arena, Dayton, OH (600) | Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk · Although Anderson rebooked Zenk and Pillman as a tag team he books them to lose and so lose heat. · Zenk notes on his copy of the booking sheets "Talked to Gary Juster. He confirmed paper work was in order for the lost boys." i.e. contract renewal for Pillman and Zenk |
| September 12, 1990, Civic Center, Canton, OH (1,000) | Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk · Marginal note, Tom Zenk, booking sheet for September 1990 – “Reminded Juster to call Barnett about the lost boys.” · 13, 1990 – “Flew to LA to tape Family Feud” "Sting, Luger, Pillman, Zenk and Armstrong will do a week's worth of Family Feud tapings on Thursday in Hollywood". (Meltzer, WON, 9/17/90) Jim |
| September 14, 1990, State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Columbus, OH | Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman |
| September 15, 1990, Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI (1,000) | Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman - "Three stars" - (Meltzer, WON, |
| September 16, 1990, Civic Center, Hammond, IN | Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane defeated Tom Zenk & Brian Pillman |
| September 17, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA | & NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson after a recent match between Flair & Anderson and Tom Zenk and · Samoan Swat Team (8), Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman (7), Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong (6), |
| September 18, 1990, Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, SC | Tom Zenk and Tim Horner vs Master Blasters |
| September 19, 1990, Goettge Fieldhouse, Camp Lejeune, NC | Tom Zenk vs Black Scorpion |
| September 23, 1990, The Omni, Atlanta, GA | Big Van Vader defeated Tom Zenk - "Two stars" (Meltzer, WON, 10/1/90) Zenk who is being jobbed to · Zenk |
| September 24, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA (350) | Tom Zenk & Tim Horner defeated Moondog Rex & Barry Horowitz · Blasters, 9) Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk, 8) Mike Rotunda & Tim Horner, 7) Tracy Smothers & Steve |
| September 25, 1990, Civic Center, Albany, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Lt. James Earl Wright (sub. Barry Windham) |
| September 27, 1990, Coliseum, Hampton, VA (3,000) | Tom Zenk vs Van Vader (original booking despite Vader having already returned to Japan) |
| September 28, 1990, Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD (2,900) | Tim Horner defeated Mario Savoldi (Ted Petty) – originally Horner and Zenk vs Master Blasters scheduled · Master Blaster Steele (Keivn Nash) defeated Tom Zenk - Meltzer reports (WON 10/8/90) "Master · Blaster Steele pinned Tom Zenk in two minutes (basically it appears they are trying to get Zenk to quit and he hasn't yet so they are turning up the pressure." |
| September 29, 1990, Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA (3,000) | Tim Horner defeated Mario Savoldi (Ted Petty) – originally Horner and Zenk vs Master Blasters scheduled · Master Blaster Steele (Kevin Nash) defeated Tom Zenk |
| September 30, 1990, UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL (2,598) | Tim Horner defeated Jonnie Stewart – originally Horner and Zenk vs Master Blasters scheduled · Master Blaster (Kevin Nash) defeated Tom Zenk - "Blaster Steele pinned Zenk in 2.49 - half a star" (Meltzer, WON, 10/8/90) |
| October 1, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA (900) | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm via DQ · Weekly Top 10 – Tag Teams: 10) the Master Blasters, 9) Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk, 8) Mike Rotunda & · Tom Zenk defeated Bill Ford at 2:42 with a crossbody off the top |
| October 13, 199024, 1990 311 | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik |
| October 5, 1990, Marina Civic Center, Panama City, FL | Tom Zenk vs the Iron Sheik |
| October 6, 1990, Civic Center, Thibodaux, LA | Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman) vs Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) |
| October 7, 1990, Crossroads Coliseum, Alexandria, LA (1,800) | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik |
| October 8, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA (350) | The Main Event – 10/21/90 – included the Tom Zenk vs. JW Storm match from the 10/13/90 edition of |
| October 9, 1990, Center Stage, Atlanta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Tom Burke with a crossbody off the top at 6:14 |
| October 11, 1990, Auditorium, Melbourne, FL (1,600; sellout) | The Master Blasters defeated Tom Zenk & Tim Horner |
| October 12, 1990, Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg, FL (750) | The Master Blasters defeated Tom Zenk & Tim Horner |
| October 14, 1990, Tommy Roberts Memorial Stadium, Key West High School, Key West, FL | The Master Blasters defeated Tom Zenk & Tim Horner |
| October 15, 1990, Civic Center, Montgomery, AL | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Gil Cannatella & Hassan Farouk |
| October 18, 1990, Civic Center, Canton, OH 315 | Tom Zenk & Tim Horner vs. the Master Blasters |
| October 19, 1990, Jaffa Mosque, Altoona, PA | Tom Zenk & Tim Horner defeated the Master Blasters |
| October 20, 1990, Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ | The Master Blasters defeated Tom Zenk & Brad Armstrong at 3:34 when Steele pinned Armstrong; the bout happened after Zenk & Armstrong appeared as guests of Paul E. Dangerously’s Danger |
| October 25, 1990, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario (1,000) | Zenk defeated Johnny K-9 (sub. Cuban Assassin) |
| October 26, 1990, Civic Center, Saginaw, MI | Tom Zenk defeated Cuban Assassin · Tom Zenk (sub. Brian Pillman) defeated the Black Scorpion (Irwin) |
| October 28, 1990, Municipal Auditorium, Columbus, GA | (originally a night off for Zenk) · Tom Zenk (sub. Tommy Rich) defeated JW Storm |
| October 30, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm - Some attempt to build up an "underneath issue with Tom Zenk vs · The Main Event – 11/11/90 – included Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk vs. Gil Cannatella & Hassan · Tom Zenk defeated Barry Horowitz with a crossbody off the top at 3:30 317 · Tom Zenk defeated Rip Rogers |
| November 1, 1990, Appalachian State University Varsity Gym, Boone, NC (300) | Sid Vicious defeated Tom Zenk |
| November 2, 1990, Civic Center, Albany, GA | Tom Zenk vs JW Storm · Z-Man vs JW Storm (photos - Ed Russino) |
| November 5, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Cliff Sheets at 5:26 with a crossbody off the top · Tom Zenk defeated Gil Canatella at 6.10 · Power Hour – 12/1/90 – included Tom Zenk vs. Barry Horowitz. |
| November 11, 1990, (matinee), Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN (1,200) | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm · Tom Zenk vs. Master Blaster Blade |
| November 12, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA (1,100) | Tom Zenk defeated the Motor City Madman at 3:01 with an O’Connor roll; after the match, the · Madman attacked Zenk and threw him to the floor · Tom Zenk defeated Dave Johnson with the missile dropkick at 1:49; during the bout, the Motor · City Madman cut an insert promo on Lex Luger and Zenk · Tom Zenk defeated the Motor City Madman with a missile dropkick off the top |
| November 13, 1990, Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin at 4:34 with a missile dropkick · Tom Zenk defeated Mark Kyle |
| November 14, 1990, Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, SC (680) | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm |
| November 15, 1990, Civic Center, Roanoke, VA | Tom Zenk vs JW Storm |
| November 16, 1990, Civic Center, Charleston, WV (1,100) | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm · Z-Man vsInquirer, |
| November 17, 1990, Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA (2,100) | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm |
| November 18, 1990, High School Gym, Harrisonburg, VA (500) | Tom Zenk defeated JW Storm |
| November 20, 1990, Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL - Clash of the Champions XIII “Thanksgiving | Anderson (2), and Rick & Scott Steiner (1); Singles division: Bobby Eaton (10), Tom Zenk (9), Michael · Tom Zenk defeated Brian Lee with a missile dropkick at 3:10; after the bout, it was announced · Zenk would face Bobby Eaton at Starrcade |
| November 21, 1990, Clark Central High School, Athens, GA | Tom Zenk vs Buddy Landell |
| November 22, 1990, The Omni, Atlanta, GA (6,500) | Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated the Master Blasters |
| November 23, 1990, Civic Center, Savannah, GA | Tom Zenk vs. Barry Horowitz |
| November 24, 1990, Civic Center, Fayetteville, NC | Tom Zenk vs Bobby Eaton |
| November 25, 1990, Coliseum, Greensboro, NC (700) | The Master Blasters defeated Tom Zenk & Allen Iron Eagle · rspw report - Alan Iron Eagle and Z-Man vs. Master Blasters. Blasters by pinfall. Zenk carried this to a fair match, selling the Blasters' power moves nicely. The big guy, Steele (Kevin Nash), has a great look and seems to be learning the ropes. Finish saw Steele pin Iron Eagle. |
| November 26, 1990, Civic Center, Albany, GA | Tom Zenk defeated Buddy Landell · Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated Ed Brock & Joe Cazana at 3:14 when Pillman pinned Brock with a splash after being press slammed by Zenk · Richard Marley attacked Morton; moments later, Tom Zenk made the save · Tom Zenk defeated Bobby Eaton via count-out at 6:05 after Zenk dropped Eaton over the turnbuckles from the ring apron with a backdrop; after the bout, Eaton and Zenk brawled |
| November 27, 1990, Civic Center, Dothan, AL 327 | Tommy Rich, Ricky Morton, & Tom Zenk fought Bobby Eaton, Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin to a double DQ · Tom Zenk defeated Jeff Sword |
| December 3, 1990, Civic Center, Anderson, SC | WCW TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Tim Hughes · Worldwide – 1/12/91 – announcement that WCW TV Champion Tom Zenk would face Bill Irwin: · Team Champions Doom and WCW TV Champion Tom Zenk · Tom Zenk defeated Dutch Mantell · Tom Zenk defeated NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson to win the title with a missile dropkick at around the 18-minute mark; after the bout, Jim Ross conducted an interview with Zenk regarding his title win · rspw report - The Z-Man beat Arn Anderson for the TV title in Atlanta on Dec. 4. I bet he loses it within 2 months. Anybody think this has anything to do with the fact that Ole isn't the booker anymore? Kinda makes you wonder, ya' know? If this trend of nepotism continues, I'm pretty sure that Dustin will be champ about two weeks after he comes back to the NWA. |
| December 5, 1990, Crossroads Coliseum, Alexandria, LA | Original booking by Ole Anderson had Tom Zenk vs local (changed booking has Tom Zenk as new |
| December 6, 1990, Civic Center, Monroe, LA | Original booking by Ole Anderson had Tom Zenk vs Local (changed booking has Tom Zenk as new |
| December 7, 1990, Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN | Tom Zenk defeated Dutch Mantell (original booking by Ole Anderson had Tom Zenk vs Local) |
| December 8, 1990, Augusta-Richmond Civic Center, Augusta, GA | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik |
| December 9, 1990, Minges Coliseum, Greenville, NC (2,000) | Tom Zenk defeated the Iron Sheik |
| December 10, 1990, Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, GA (1,300) | Zenk defeated · Zenk about the challenges of Anderson, Terry Taylor and Bobby Eaton: · WCW TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Bill Irwin at 4:32 by falling on top as Irwin attempted a superplex |
| December 11, 1990, Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA (800) 331 | 1/5/91 - featured footage from the previous week of Tom Zenk beating Arn Anderson for the WCW TV · Title, followed by a backstage promo by Zenk regarding a rematch with Anderson; included Dangerously conducting a ringside interview with Terry Taylor in which Taylor claimed Zenk’s title shot against · NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk at the Clash of the Champions, during which he mentioned his win over Zenk at Starrcade · NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Dr. X with a dropkick and missile dropkick at 4:19 · 12/22/90 - it was announced that NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk would be in action on The Main Event the following night · NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Tom Burke with the missile dropkick at 4:33; after the bout, Dangerously conducted a ringside interview with Zenk regarding the challenges of Anderson, · at the Clash; Taylor then appeared and claimed he should be wrestling Zenk at the Clash and not · in the show; moments later, Zenk agreed to give the winner of the match a title shot |
| December 13, 1990, Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC (450) | Tom Zenk defeated the Motor City Madman · Zenk and the Juicer helped make the save |
| December 23, 1990 | TV Champion Tom Zenk vs Stan Hansen & Curtis Hughes 333 · Tom Zenk defeated the Motor City Madman |
| December 16, 1990, Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO - Starrcade 90 (7,200; 6,357 paid) | Bobby Eaton defeated Tom Zenk with an inside cradle at 8:46 after avoiding Zenk’s missile dropkick · champion; moments later, Terry Taylor, Tom Zenk, and Ricky Morton attempted to scale the locked cage. Sting pulled off his black mask to reveal him as Ric Flair |
| December 25, 1990, The Omni, Atlanta, GA (6,000 paid) | Brian Pillman & NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin when · Zenk pinned Garvin · Brian Pillman (sub. Tom Zenk) vs Master Blaster Blade (Pillman vs Spivey scheduled) (Tom Zenk vs Master Blaster Blade scheduled) · NWA US Champion Lex Luger & NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk (sub. for Big Van Vader) vs Stan |
| December 27, 1990, McAllister Fieldhouse, Charleston, SC | Brian Pillman (sub. Tom Zenk) defeated Master Blaster Blade · NWA US Champion Lex Luger & NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk (sub. for Big Van Vader) defeated |
| December 28, 1990, Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL (3,600 paid) | The Motor City Madman defeated the Iron Priest (sub. Tom Zenk) · NWA US Champion Lex Luger & NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk (sub. Big Van Vader) defeated · Stan Hansen & the Big Cat when Zenk pinned the Cat |
| December 29, 1990, Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA (2,000) | NWA US Champion Lex Luger & NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated Stan Hansen & the Big · Advertised match of Tom Zenk vs Iron Sheik did not take place |
| December 30, 1990, UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL (2,000) | NWA TV Champion Tom Zenk defeated the Motor City Madman |
Images and Cuttings
04 · Moving and still images
Video and Photo Archive
Portraits, television stills, arena action and behind-the-scenes material trace the visual evolution of Zenk’s NWA/WCW run. Every image opens in a high-resolution viewer.
Video archive frame reserved for separately hosted match footage. Add an MP4 source to the video element when a web-ready file is available.
05 · 1990 collectibles
Merchandise
Z-Man merchandise reflected WCW’s early national licensing push: magazine advertisements, Just Toys Bend-Ems, Galoob figures, the UK orange-gear variant, Micro Machines Wrestlin’ Rods and the WCW Slam-A-Rama card game.
The Galoob “Superstars of the WCW” line launched in 1990 with fixed-pose figures. A later United Kingdom series revisited several characters in alternate colors, including Z-Man in orange trunks and boots. Slam-A-Rama used four move cards for each of twelve wrestlers in a paper-scissors-rock scoring system built around the championship belt.