Tom Zenk? Blackballed by WWE? For what? And who the fuck is he?

[darkpower]

Saw Ryan Clark post this on the news forum:

Tom Zenk is banned from attending any and all WWE events. They do notgive him the "wrestler courtesy status" and he instead has "BLACKBALLED" status. Zenk can not attend any of the WWE's backstage functions,whatsoever. (thanks to http://ElitePW.cjb.net (http://elitepw.cjb.net/))

Okay, seeing as how I got not answer from the news forum about it, I'm wondering who the fuck is Tom Zenk, for one? Secondly, why should I care, and third, what in the fuck happened to cause this (because I can't find anything beyond this article anywhere as to any kind of explanation)?

[FourFifty]

In 1999, Tom Zenk gave a series of interviews on the radio and on the Internet where he discussed behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the WWF (even claiming he was paid $50 per television appearance) and WCW, releasing years of pent up frustrations about the politics of wrestling that he dealt with as an active wrestler. While heavily critical of the WWF and Vince McMahon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_McMahon), most of Zenk's venom went toward former wrestler and WCW booker Ole Anderson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Anderson).

Not sure if that's worth a damn or not, but if someone said stories about me that I don't want out, I'd keep them out of my arena.

[KingofOldSchool]

lol

[Purgatory]

Back in the day, Tom Zenk served as one-half of WWF tag team, The Can-Am Connection ('Can-Am' meaning 'Canadian-American'). I don't think they ever got their shot at the titles before Zenk left.

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/can-am-connection.html

Tom Zenk left and Tito Santana joined Martel, thus 'Strike Force' came into existence.

[The Genius]

i will always remember Zenk/Z-man as the guy Rick Rude beat in his wcw debut at Halloween Havoc 91.

[Vastardikai]

He was also the guy who got beat by Big Van Vader in his WCW debut.

[D Mac]

He's the Z Man!

[Rob]

Not sure if that's worth a damn or not, but if someone said stories about me that I don't want out, I'd keep them out of my arena.

Zenk didn't say anything that wasn't true or at least have backed up stories from others.

McMahon, in court at the steroid trial said something like Zenk was a man who would get drugs from the garbage bins. Zenk never went looking for fame in 1999. He got asked on the eyada shows by Dave Meltzer who he is friends with and he was awesome every time on. This obviously led to more interviews.

The $50 per TV appearance is extremely TRUE. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE who worked TV back then were only paid $50. McMahon thought they should work practically for free as he was advertising them on his TV.

And a lot more people have said worse stuff about Vince McMahon than Tom Zenk. Vince McMahon doesn't like people with opinions though.

[RP]

YOU CANT KEEP THE ZMAN DOWN!

[Savio]

didn't he team with Pillman?

[RP]

Wasnt he tag partners with Brian Pillman?

[D Mac]

Yeah Flyin Brian and the Z Man.

[Loose Cannon]

never heard of this guy, but according to wikipedia, he's done a lot of things.

[Savio]

and I thought you were a Pillman fan :nono:

[Loose Cannon]

I was being sarcastic. making fun of everyone who always quotes wikipedia now. it's funny

[Chavo Classic]

Tenacious Z!