Whats my angle ?
 
There are several parts to the development of this angle.

In parts 1 - 4 .... 

1991 was a year of fast and furious angles for Tom Zenk. He held and dropped the WCW Television Championship, feuded - then teamed - with Bobby Eaton in another feud withTerry Taylor, before undertaking a long and frenzied feud with The Diamond Studd (Scott Hall). The latter provided an ongoing sub-text for the The Z-Man for the remainder of the year. With Borne and Rhodes, Z held the 6-Man Tag Team title.  He battled and defeated Oz and was booked to job to Ric Rude ("The WCW Phantom") at Halloween Havoc '91. 

It's the late fall of 1991 and The Z-Man, weighing in at a substantial 261 lbs is scheduled to wrestle Mr Hughes, 'bodyguard' to World Heavyweight Champion, Lex Luger. Hughes is accompanied to the ring by Harley Race.  Luger had recently turned heel, attacking  the Z-Man, Sting and other former friends. Zenk had accused Luger of turning his back on all the fans who had supported him in the past. In Part 1 last week, Luger came looking for an apology from The Z-Man, who, needless to say, refused to provide him with one. As Zenk looked away (fatal mistake!) Luger clotheslined him (typical cheap shot from Luger!). Race and Hughes then held Z while Luger positioned him for a pile driver. The Z-Man is driven to the mat, damaging his neck. 

In a subsequent match with Cactus Jack, The Z-Man undertakes a high risk maneuver - a fabulous high dive over the top rope onto Cactus Jack on the floor below (still rare in 1991). In addition to hitting Cactus, Z hits the concrete and steel barrier, compounding the neck injury inflicted by Luger.  

The Z-Man is warned by doctors against wrestling - but he still has unfinished business with Luger. He obtains a licence from WCW to officiate as a referee and begins to establish a reputation as an authoritative ring official. He intends to make sure that when Luger and Hughes meet Barry Wyndham and Ron Simmons at Halloween Havoc, 1991 the match is going to be a straight forward test of ability. But immediately prior to officiating at a match, Z-Man is attacked in his dressing room by two unknown assailants. He is beaten with a chair and his ribs damaged, before help arives.... 
 
 

 
 
 
 Look what happened to Tom Zenk ! Mysterious things are happening around here....
And they're going to continue to happen!!
 

 

 
 
Jim Ross - I know that you don't want to talk about the injury that you sustained ....
I know that you're getting better day by day.
 
 
But what you do want to talk about ....
is an assignment that I understand that you have.
 
 
Yopu've been assigned to officiate a tag team match involving Ron Simmons and Barry Wyndham ....
....  as they take on Mr Hughes and Lex Luger.
 

 

 
 
That's right. 
You know things have happened in the past with you Lex Luger  ....
 
 
I'll deal with that later ....
My neck is healing  ....
 
 
Now Ron Simmons and Barry Wyndham have an opportunity here ....
.... with Mr Hughes and the World Champion, Lex Luger.
 
 
Ron and Barry, I like you both .... 
but I've been assigned as a referee  ....
 
and Jim Ross, you've known me for a long time.
You know the Z-Man plays it fair ....
 
.... and I'm going to call this match right down the middle.
No closed fists ....
 
 
.... no hair .... 
 the fans are gonna be in for a great match, Jim Ross ....
 
 
.... because I'm going to be in control out there.
I guarantee it!
 
 
Jim Ross - What if Luger and his entourage try to physically or mentally intimidate you?
Listen, Luger, you, Harley Race, you guys have been around for a long time .... 
 
 
You're never going to intimidate the Z-Man. 
I'm the ref.  If you don't like it .... too bad Luger!!
Because I'm calling it fair and square ....
And I guarantee you, Jim Ross ....
That's going to be one heck of a match .....
because I'm going to keep it that way!!
 
 
 
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