Tom Zenk in Japan, Third Tour, 1988

Tom Zenk in Japan 1988Tom Zenk in Japan, 1988

Tom Zenk's
Third Japan Tour

1988 Summer Action Series II
August 20 - September 9, 1988

Tom Zenk and Johnny Ace, August 1988.

Tom Zenk came back for a new series of AJPW commencing 20 August, 1988.

The Wrestling Observer reported "Zenk ...is far larger and more muscular than when he was on tour here during the tag tournament... Ace and Zenk are being groomed for the tag tourney this year. Zenk's dropkicks are still among the best" (WON 9/5/88).

Tom Zenk takes to the air with the 'Sky-High drop-kick' (August 1988)

The series began with a TV opener which saw Tom Zenk and Johnny Ace defeat Yoshiaki Yatsu and Takashi Ishikawa in an upset finish. The Sky-High drop kick which Zenk had perfected in the Pacific North West was used to effect. Johnny Ace's signature move - "The Ace Crusher" - also got an early outing - "The finish saw Ishikawa get behind Ace for the German Suplex but Ace grabbed him like a snap-mare but instead fell straight down - like a neckbreaker forward and got the pin."

"Kendall Windham first showed me the move, and it was a variation of the 'neckbraker'. I used it in my first match in Japan after Tom Zenk suggested I establish a finish for the Japanese fans ....The Japanese crowd went crazy because they'd never seen the move before." - Johnny Ace

Another view - Tom Zenk, in mid-flight, with his Sky-High drop-kick, August 1988.

The results of the tour are shown here. Notable matches included -

August 29, 1988 in Tokyo -Tom Zenk and Jerry Oates against Hiroshi Wajima and Takashi Ishikawa in the Bruiser Brody Memorial Show with the veteran Japanese team taking out the match.

"The Memorial was was great and eerie at the same time. I mean, it was weird with an arena packed paying homage to a wrestler's casket. The crowd was so into it you could feel Brody's spirit. It truly touched me. It was also beautiful to see all the fans bring him roses and gifts. And a lot of money was raised for his family. Brody was a true hero and the Japanese loved him. It's a shame all the American promoters would say is he was trouble. Yeah, trouble cause he wanted to get paid?" Torch Interview part 2

Brody Memorial Show

August 30, in Osaka before 4,000 fans - Tom Zenk and Stan Hansen battled to a double count out against Abdullah the Butcher and Jimmy Snuka

September 4, before 2,450 fans in Kanazu - Oates, Ace and Zenk paid their respect to Giant Baba in a tag match with Baba partnering Yatsu and Sato.

September 9,Chiba - for the series end, in Tom Zenk teamed with Jimmy Snuka to beat Isao Takagi and Akira Taue at 11:19 when Snuka pinned Taue with his 'Superfly Splash.'

Zenk's gym work had produced a bigger body than tag partner Snuka.

A quick review of the match results (here) indicate that Zenk and Ace were receiving a good size push from Baba, including equal billing with Hansen and Snuka. All matches ended with a win for Zenk and his partner or a double count-out. The only exceptions were when Zenk was matched against either AJPW promoter Giant Baba or veteran Wajima.

"I teamed some with Snuka ....and was very impressed. He's a phenomenal athlete. ... he could have been bigger than the Hulk but was held down. But he's a decent guy and a proud father."

Torch Interview part 2

The Great Kabuki tastes some Minnesota sole - "Zenk's dropkicks are still among the best."

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