Can-Am Connection
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Can-Am Connection | |
 |
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| Tag Team | |
|---|---|
| Members | Rick Martel Tom Zenk |
| Heights | Martl: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Zenk: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Combined weight | 476 lb (216 kg/34.0 st) |
| Debut | 1986 |
| Disbanded | 1987 |
| Promotions | WWF |
The Can-Am Connection was a tag team composed of Rick Martel and Tom Zenk in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) through 1986 and 1987.
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[edit] Career Highlights
In 1986, Martel returned to the WWF with his then tag team partner, the American Tom Zenk, as the Can-Am Connection. The Can-Am Connection had been formed by Martel in the Montreal International Wrestling Association in 1986. Tom Zenk was the boyfriend of Martel's sister-in-law, and had been introduced to Martel in the AWA by Curt Hennig.
The team made their WWF in-ring debut on October 23, 1986 against the team of Steve Lombardi (later the Brooklyn Brawler) & Moondog Spot which they won.[1] The Can Am Connection contested a series of matches with former tag-team champions The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine) and the team of Don Muraco & Bob Orton Jr., a team they would face and defeat at WrestleMania III. The Can-Am Connection quickly garnered the affections of fans with their good looks, well defined physiques and polished tag-team moves,[citation needed] great things were predicted for this team.[citation needed] The Can Am Connection's last feud would be against The Islanders, a feud that began on WWF Superstars of Wrestling in the summer of 1987. In this match, the Islanders turned heel by revealing their association with manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
Shortly after this match Tom Zenk left the WWF due to a pay dispute, wrestling their last match together on July 9, 1987 against the Islanders.[2] To this day Tom Zenk and Rick Martel have differing opinions on the matter of why Tom Zenk left the WWF [3][4] , all but eliminating the chance of a Can-Am Connection reunion.
[edit] The Spinoff
When Zenk left Martel initially carried on the feud with the Islanders on his own but was soon paired up with Tito Santana to tackle the Samoan duo, spinning the ill fated Can-Am Connection off to Strike Force who went on to win the WWF World Tag-Team Titles.
[edit] References
- ^ Graham Cawthon (2007-02-5). WWF Ring Results 1986. Retrieved on 12 February, 2007.
- ^ Graham Cawthon (2007-02-05). WWF Ring Results 1987. Retrieved on 12 February, 2007.
- ^ Tom Zenk interview.
- ^ Slam! Wrestling interview with Rick Martel.
