Magnum T.A. had it all: the mustache, the barrel-chested physique, the cascading curlicue golden locks conforming to a tight mullet, raw athleticism, unparalleled charisma, and a gravitational pull on his fans. But Magnum's professional wrestling career---which began so promisingly---would be cut short in tragic fashion. But that comes later; let's start at the beginning.
Born in Tidewater, VA, Terry Wayne Allen grew up bouncing between Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA. A state champion high school wrestler, after graduation he attended Old Dominion University before dropping out to move on to the world of professional wrestling.
After toiling for several years wrestling in the Mid-South region, Allen (at the suggestion of Andre the Giant [See Profile #329]) re-branded himself "Magnum T.A.," modeled, uh, vaguely after television star Tom Selleck's "Magnum P.I." character. He caught the eye of Jim Crockett Promotions' NWA organization and signed with them in 1984. In the span of just 2 short years, Magnum would go from relative unknown grappler to the organization's torch-bearer, and most wrestling media had him pegged as the next biggest star in the history of the sport. Fate, however, would have other plans.
Upon his arrival, Magnum would promptly enter a feud with the Paul Jones-managed Kamala [See Profile #541]. After several months of beating the Ugandan Giant's head in, he would move onto what would become the defining feud of a generation---one so vicious and bloody that it would change both combatants forever.
Magnum was the ultimate representation of good, of all things positive. He wasn't just the blue collar athlete from around the way, he seemed to have that glimmer in his eye that spoke to soon-to-be-realized greatness. With him, everything seemed possible. The fans responded to this with rabid cheers and the expectation running through the NWA by early 1985 was that Magnum would soon be world champion, and surpass even then-global wrestling icon Hulk Hogan's [See Profile #58] popularity.
To become that icon you must conquer evil. Accordingly, Magnum made a straight line toward the most elite group of wrestlers in the business, and the most dangerous: The Four Horsemen. Specifically, television champion Tully Blanchard [See Profile #101]. Blanchard was the Horsemen's answer to Keith Richards: a debauched, woman-abusing, loudmouth coke fiend who happened to be a stealth technician inside the squared circle. After watching Blanchard slap his valet, Baby Doll [See Profile #679], around, Magnum interceded on the bleached whale's behalf. What ensued was a series of brutal matches that culminated in the now-infamous "I Quit" match. Pinfalls didn't count. Submissions didn't count. Weapons were legal. Both wrestlers were locked in a steel cage and the only way to gain victory was to have the other wrestler scream those two shameful words: I....quit. Long story short, after ripping a wooden chair leg off, Magnum gouged Tully's eye socket bloody until Blanchard gave up.
Born in Tidewater, VA, Terry Wayne Allen grew up bouncing between Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA. A state champion high school wrestler, after graduation he attended Old Dominion University before dropping out to move on to the world of professional wrestling.
After toiling for several years wrestling in the Mid-South region, Allen (at the suggestion of Andre the Giant [See Profile #329]) re-branded himself "Magnum T.A.," modeled, uh, vaguely after television star Tom Selleck's "Magnum P.I." character. He caught the eye of Jim Crockett Promotions' NWA organization and signed with them in 1984. In the span of just 2 short years, Magnum would go from relative unknown grappler to the organization's torch-bearer, and most wrestling media had him pegged as the next biggest star in the history of the sport. Fate, however, would have other plans.
Upon his arrival, Magnum would promptly enter a feud with the Paul Jones-managed Kamala [See Profile #541]. After several months of beating the Ugandan Giant's head in, he would move onto what would become the defining feud of a generation---one so vicious and bloody that it would change both combatants forever.
Magnum was the ultimate representation of good, of all things positive. He wasn't just the blue collar athlete from around the way, he seemed to have that glimmer in his eye that spoke to soon-to-be-realized greatness. With him, everything seemed possible. The fans responded to this with rabid cheers and the expectation running through the NWA by early 1985 was that Magnum would soon be world champion, and surpass even then-global wrestling icon Hulk Hogan's [See Profile #58] popularity.
To become that icon you must conquer evil. Accordingly, Magnum made a straight line toward the most elite group of wrestlers in the business, and the most dangerous: The Four Horsemen. Specifically, television champion Tully Blanchard [See Profile #101]. Blanchard was the Horsemen's answer to Keith Richards: a debauched, woman-abusing, loudmouth coke fiend who happened to be a stealth technician inside the squared circle. After watching Blanchard slap his valet, Baby Doll [See Profile #679], around, Magnum interceded on the bleached whale's behalf. What ensued was a series of brutal matches that culminated in the now-infamous "I Quit" match. Pinfalls didn't count. Submissions didn't count. Weapons were legal. Both wrestlers were locked in a steel cage and the only way to gain victory was to have the other wrestler scream those two shameful words: I....quit. Long story short, after ripping a wooden chair leg off, Magnum gouged Tully's eye socket bloody until Blanchard gave up.
They fought all over the Mid-Atlantic region, repeating the I Quit match over and over again, each time more bloody than the last. Magnum's sheer will was too much for Tully in the end. Of course, contoversy would ensue, as Horsemen advisor, Master James J. Dillon [See Profile 780] would claim Blanchard simply said "Yes" when asked if he quit, thus nullifying the particular stipulations of the match. Nevertheless, Magnum had wrested the television title from Tully and moved on to challenge the "Russian Nightmare," Nikita Koloff [See Profile 35].
Koloff was a steroided out Soviet who shaved his head more than a decade before Stone Cold Steve Austin even dreamed about it. After months of battles with the U.S. title at stake, a best-of-7 series was signed between the two. Magnum was quickly and soundly defeated three times, with the big Russian looking to close out in a clean sweep to retain his title. Instead, T.A. stormed back, taking the next three wins in a row. The deciding seventh bout ended in controversy, with Magnum apparently pinning Nikita for the win, but referree Tommy Young [See Profile #974] noticed Koloff's feet were on the ropes. Magnum left the ring and lost via countout.
Magnum's star continued to rise despite this, and he was positioned to take down the biggest draw in the territory, the NWA world heavyweight champion, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair [See profile #1]. It seemed Magnum was about to climb the mountain, to actualize his dreams, to become wrestling's next great star. Fate would intercede.
On October 14, 1986, while driving his Porsche on a rain-slicked road just outside of Charlotte, NC, Magnum lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a telephone pole. Trapped in his car for hours before emergency personnel arrived on the scene, Magnum's spinal cord was damaged and he was paralyzed from the waist-down; his wrestling career finished at just 27 years old.
Though doctors said he would never walk again, on the second night of the annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag-Team Tournament in Baltimore, MD, Magnum would make a surprise appearance. With the aid of a cane, Magnum walked down the aisle of the Baltimore Arena and made his way to ringside, receiving a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd that night. Here he was, a superhero to some, once again defying the odds. The sound of the crowd was deafening. Wrestlers in the locker room and in the ring cried. The fans wouldn't stop their applause. Magnum looked out over his people and held a hand up in the air, making a fist in salute, a warrior once and always.
Koloff was a steroided out Soviet who shaved his head more than a decade before Stone Cold Steve Austin even dreamed about it. After months of battles with the U.S. title at stake, a best-of-7 series was signed between the two. Magnum was quickly and soundly defeated three times, with the big Russian looking to close out in a clean sweep to retain his title. Instead, T.A. stormed back, taking the next three wins in a row. The deciding seventh bout ended in controversy, with Magnum apparently pinning Nikita for the win, but referree Tommy Young [See Profile #974] noticed Koloff's feet were on the ropes. Magnum left the ring and lost via countout.
Magnum's star continued to rise despite this, and he was positioned to take down the biggest draw in the territory, the NWA world heavyweight champion, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair [See profile #1]. It seemed Magnum was about to climb the mountain, to actualize his dreams, to become wrestling's next great star. Fate would intercede.
On October 14, 1986, while driving his Porsche on a rain-slicked road just outside of Charlotte, NC, Magnum lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a telephone pole. Trapped in his car for hours before emergency personnel arrived on the scene, Magnum's spinal cord was damaged and he was paralyzed from the waist-down; his wrestling career finished at just 27 years old.
Though doctors said he would never walk again, on the second night of the annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag-Team Tournament in Baltimore, MD, Magnum would make a surprise appearance. With the aid of a cane, Magnum walked down the aisle of the Baltimore Arena and made his way to ringside, receiving a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd that night. Here he was, a superhero to some, once again defying the odds. The sound of the crowd was deafening. Wrestlers in the locker room and in the ring cried. The fans wouldn't stop their applause. Magnum looked out over his people and held a hand up in the air, making a fist in salute, a warrior once and always.
Where is he now? Magnum currently resides in Chesapeake, VA, where he owns and runs several cell phone towers in the area. He is happily married [to Tully Blanchard's ex-wife]. Winning!
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