MAGNUM T.A.

waterproof
waterproof Members Posts: 9,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited November 2012 in Off The Turn Buckle
f609f3c8eamagnumta.jpg

A sad tragic wrestling story who car wreck ended a promising career, NWA answer to HULK HOGAN who was one of the most popular wrestlers in the early 80's through out America 2nd only to Hulk Hogan, above Sgt Slaughter and havd the teeny boppers like the Von Erichs who was making Hogan style money at 500,000 a year all of that with out holding the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP in which they was about to put the belt on him real soon, a great Mat wrestler who had power moves, great fueds with Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Nikta Koloff all ended in a car accident in his porsche in 1986.

Nikita Koloff vs. Magnum TA - September 13, 1986
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Rm190R3V4

Terry Wayne Allen (born June 11, 1959) is a retired American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Magnum T.A..


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Allen started wrestling in 1977 and joined the National Wrestling Alliance, where he began competing for the Championship Wrestling from Florida and the Pacific Northwest Wrestling territories. While in the CWF, Allen would win the Global Tag Team Championship on five different occasions before then moving to Mid-South Wrestling. Upon debuting in Mid-South, Allen renamed himself to Magnum T.A. and adopted a character known as the "American Heart Throb", based on Allen's slight resemblance to actor Tom Selleck's television character Magnum, P.I..

Allen adopted the ring name after André the Giant suggested that he combine the Magnum name with the initials of his real name. After competing in Mid-South, he won the North American Heavyweight Championship, his first major title, after defeating Mr. Wrestling II on May 13, 1984. Magnum would hold the title for five months before he lost it to "The Cat" Ernie Ladd on October 16. On November 22, Magnum lost to Ladd via disqualification in a title rematch


The Top Ten Moves of Magnum TA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrKlBhRzaUo

Jim Crockett Promotions
In 1984, the National Wrestling Alliance's Jim Crockett Promotions signed Allen. After debuting, Magnum began feuding with Wahoo McDaniel and defeated him for the United States Heavyweight Championship on March 23, 1985. At The Great American Bash, he successfully defended the title by defeating Kamala.[1] He then began feuding with the Four Horsemen before feuding solely with Horsemen member Tully Blanchard and his valet Baby Doll. On September 28, Magnum lost to the Horsemen's leader Ric Flair in a near-30 minute title match for Flair's World Heavyweight Championship.[1] Magnum would later lose his U.S. Title to Blanchard until Magnum regained the title in a famous "I Quit" match at Starrcade on November 28.


Ric Flair VS Magnum T.A. - NWA - 6/15/85
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ9pLd6WgX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS49d31JitE


In April 1986, Magnum began feuding with Ivan Koloff, who had started proclaiming that his nephew, Nikita, would become the United States Heavyweight Champion. Jim Crockett, Jr. set up a contract signing for Magnum to defend his title against Nikita in May. At the signing, Magnum brought his mother, Marion, to the signing while Nikita brought Ivan. However, Nikita insulted Magnum's mother during the signing, instigating a fight. Then-president of the NWA, Bob Geigel, issued a public reprimand against Magnum for "conduct unbecoming a champion." Magnum replied, "Reprimand this!" while punching Geigel. As a result, Magnum was stripped of his title and it was put up in a best of seven series between Magnum and Nikita. After losing the first three matches in a row to Nikita, Magnum began a comeback, winning the next three matches to keep the series going. In the tie-breaking match on August 17, 1986 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nikita defeated Magnum to win the title with help from Ivan and Krusher Khruschev.

MagnumTA13.jpg

Comments

  • waterproof
    waterproof Members Posts: 9,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    !Bv0CTnQCGk~$(KGrHqUOKi8EwIs((t5vBMGHwhDs1g~~_35.JPG

    Car accident and retirement
    On October 14, 1986, Allen was driving in his Porsche in the rain and lost control, wrapping the car around a telephone pole.The accident happened on Sardis Road in Charlotte, N.C., only a couple of miles from Allen's home. Initially, investigators believed he was speeding, but forensic reports showed he was driving the speed limit and he was left in his car for two hours before a witness called 911. The accident caused his C-4 and C-5 vertebrae to explode, and it was doubted that he would ever walk again. Doctors at Carolinas Medical Center said that Allen's physical conditioning saved his life. The right side of his body was paralyzed for months, ending his in-ring career. Losing Allen as a wrestler prompted NWA booker Dusty Rhodes to turn Nikita Koloff, Allen's last rival prior to his accident, into a fan favorite. According to the storyline, Koloff gained respect for Magnum from their feud and wanted to take his place. This was memorialized in the spring edition of the Wrestling '87 magazine, with a large photograph of Koloff with the words "I cry for Magnum T.A." beside him.


    Dusty Rhodes & Nikita promo after Magnum TA accident
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbEy0DhAJ0

    Prior to his accident, Magnum was to win the U.S. Title for the third time before being groomed to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Magnum's first on-screen appearance following the accident was at the Crockett Cup in 1987, where, with the aid of a cane, and two referees, Magnum walked to ringside to embrace Dusty and Nikita, who would go on to defeat Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger for the tournament championship. Magnum (as "The Boss" Magnum T.A.) hosted an interview segment titled Straight Talk with The Boss on NWA World Wide Wrestling in 1988.

    4June1987.jpg
  • waterproof
    waterproof Members Posts: 9,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Magnum TA Wrestling Promo
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--14qVHuqnE

    Magnum later worked as a commentator for the NWA and World Championship Wrestling, and also served as a manager for Rhodes, who was suspended before returning as The Midnight Rider, and Koloff. In his last angle in WCW, Magnum was attacked by his former rival Tully Blanchard, which prompted Dusty Rhodes to come to the aid of his friend. After Rhodes signed with Championship Wrestling from Florida and later the World Wrestling Federation, and Koloff signed with the American Wrestling Association, Magnum left JCP as well, although he would make sporadic reappearances with the promotion until 1993 at Slamboree.

    On January 14, 2005, Allen made his first wrestling appearance in years as a guest at the Exodus Wrestling Alliance. He would later appear for the Carolina Wrestling Association in the corner of Jason Jones during Jones' loss to George South, Jr. on May 21. At the event Tribute To Starrcade on November 19, Magnum stood in Rhodes' corner as he lost to Tully Blanchard. On June 24, 2007, Allen, as Magnum T.A., made his first appearance for World Wrestling Entertainment at their Vengeance: Night of Champions pay-per-view, where he was noted as a former United States Champion.


    Magnum TA vs. Dibiase
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwOm-bJ2m9M
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pari0ZjUgVo
    Late 1983 from Mid-South Wrestling - Terry Allen, who had just started using the Magnum TA moniker, defends against Ted DiBiase for the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title.
  • waterproof
    waterproof Members Posts: 9,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2012
    65afck.jpg

    Finishing moves
    Belly to belly suplex
    Signature moves
    Arm drag
    Atomic drop
    Back body drop
    Body slam
    Diving knee drop
    Dropkick
    Hip toss
    Scoop powerslam
    Vertical suplex

    Wrestlers managed
    Dusty Rhodes
    Nikita Koloff

    Nicknames
    "America's Heart Throb"


    1986 NWA House Show- Magnum T.A. vs. The Barbarian
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7HTs-jHdyY

    Championships and accomplishments

    Championship Wrestling from Florida
    NWA Florida Global Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Scott McGhee (3), Dusty Rhodes (1), and Brad Armstrong (1)

    Jim Crockett Promotions
    NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[17][18]
    Mid-South Wrestling
    Mid-South North American Championship (2 times)
    Mid-South Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jim Duggan (1) and Mr. Wrestling II (1)

    Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    PWI ranked him #73 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
  • waterproof
    waterproof Members Posts: 9,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The sad ending of Magnum T.A.
    A career crashes to a halt
    By CHRIS SCHRAMM -- For SLAM! Wrestling


    magnumta.jpg

    Twenty thousand screaming fans, $500,000 a year salary, $53,000 Porsche and then it ended.

    On October 14, 1986, Magnum T.A., who always heard thousands cheer his name, sat for over an hour alone waiting for someone to save his life. When he needed one of those fans, they were not there.

    Magnum T.A. whose real name is Terry Wayne Allen, was one of the most popular wrestlers of the early '80s. He was a young shining star for the National Wrestling Association when a car accident ended his career. He was a certain future World champion, and quite possibly the man who was to help the NWA compete against the WWF's Hulk Hogan.

    When news got out, thousands headed to the hospital where Allen occupied. Flowers, letters, cards were sent to the hospital during his stay. A man who was known for his belly-to-belly suplex could not even move his arms.

    The man, for whom thousands once screamed for, could not talk to thank them.

    The man, who had it all, now struggled to survive.


    WWC: Magnum TA vs. Tully Blanchard (1985)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmjjBpBUIjg

    HIS CAREER

    Allen grew up in Tidewater, Virginia. He attended college at Old Dominion University, but never got past his second year. He was a walk-on to the wrestling team where he was only able to manage a 1-4-1 record.

    Pete Robinson coached Allen at Old Dominion. He remembered Allen as "very nice, a pleasant, friendly-attitude type, maybe too nice for wrestling."

    Following his ill success in college, Allen made his way, at the age of 19, to Portland. There he took on Chris Colt in his first professional wrestling match.

    It was not until years later that he took the name Magnum T.A.

    He journeyed all over the country trying to find a home. In 1984, Jim Crockett Promotions signed the young Magnum T.A. to a contract. He finally found his role in wrestling.

    Within the year, he would win the United States title from Wahoo McDaniel and wrestle the infamous "I Quit Match" with Tully Blanchard.

    In the summer of 1986, Magnum lost a best-of-seven series with Nikita Koloff. His matches with Koloff were a mix of athleticism, charisma and rivalry. There was nothing like them at that time.

    They were the matches that Magnum T.A. is best remembered for.


    magnum.jpg

    THE ACCIDENT

    Allen wrestled the night of his accident in Greenville, SC, in front of a packed house. Little did anyone known that his win over Jimmy Garvin would be his last. He left the arena and headed to a popular hangout place for the wrestlers in Charlotte, a town where he and most wrestlers lived.

    He was not there to party, eat or drink. He was there to drop off his friend and fellow wrestler ? Murdoch.

    "I went in and made sure his ride was there -- he was supposed to meet somebody -- and left. I wanted to go home," Allen said months after the accident. "I was driving down Sardis Road. It was raining, and there was some water collected on the road. I started to hydroplane and the car, because the engine is in the rear, reacted differently. I backed off the gas and continued sliding.

    "Then I remembered you're supposed to give a Porsche gas. I hit the gas and it was like a shot -- it just took off. It cut across the road diagonally, across the oncoming lane of traffic -- I'm lucky nobody was coming -- and hit a pole near the driver's door."

    On a dark Sardis Street at night, no one around, no way to move, Allen sat for an hour before someone found him. It took another hour to pry the 230-pound wrestler out of the car. He was talking at the time, but his condition was critical. Sardis now is the home of one of the Ric Flair-owned Gold's Gym, just a mile from where Allen wrecked.

    He told workers that he could not move most of his body. His body was awkwardly slanted to the right, and so workers worked carefully in getting him out. On his arrival to the hospital, he was immediately rushed to surgery.

    Surgery lasted over three hours as doctors tried to repair damage in Allen's vertebra and nerve system.

    Hospital spokesperson Cecily Newton was optimistic to reporters following the surgery, saying "There are good signs that he will walk again, but it is still very early in the game at this point."

    Many questioned Allen's future. Most believed he would not be able to wrestle again. Others had hope.

    Ivan Koloff, who had feuded with Allen in the ring over the past year, was quoted following the accident. "We definitely have a lot of hope for him, and I hope he gets back in the ring again. He gave us a lot of good battles."

    Thousands of calls, letters and flowers were sent to the hospital where Allen would stay clinging to possibilities. In the end, some 75,000 letters were sent in support of Allen. They did not want to face a wrestling card without the face of Magnum T.A., in the ring.


    Magnum T.A. vs Arn Anderson
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Hjx2iQCU8

    AFTER WRESTLING

    The NWA tried to go on. The following Saturday, Nikita Koloff made a shocking face turn to join Dusty Rhodes in Dusty's battles with the Four Horsemen. It was not the same. The crowd was half the size it was just weeks before.

    Allen lied in the hospital slowly recovering. A body that had lied days without movement on the right side was now beginning movement all around.

    His mother said during his recovery, "He seems so encouraged."

    And he was. Allen did not want to be known this way, though. He wanted to be known for making $500,000 a year, a world champion, the top of the world.

    Dusty Rhodes was there to help, saying he would "carry him back (to the ring) if I had to."

    Magnum T.A. walked into a ring again, but it was not the same vision that many saw it. He had a cane, was not in his regular red trunks and was there for support, not action.

    Wrestling journalist Bill Apter remembered the return of Magnum T.A. "When he came back for several waving appearances, it was nice, it was applauded that he was back, but it wasn't the same thing. It's almost like people didn't want that Magnum T.A., they wanted the other guy."

    Magnum T.A. was used on a few occasions as an announcer, and stayed behind the scenes as a booker into the early 1990s, but has since disappeared from the wrestling world. It was hard when all he wanted to do is wrestle.

    "That's still my ultimate goal," Allen told reporters a year following the accident. He was still walking with a cane at the time, and being inside the ropes is all he wanted to do.

    ? Foley, in his book Have a Nice Day, remembered Allen's days before the accident, calling Magnum T.A. "a definite, future world champion."

    It just did not work out that way although Allen can now walk without the use of a cane or crutch.


    magnum.jpg
  • Dave2one6
    Dave2one6 Members Posts: 1,669 ✭✭✭✭✭
    magnum was my fav wrestler (on the NWA side.) his belly to belly off the ropes finisher was a great. but Nikita's "russian siccle" came hard.