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Bios

Magnum T. A.

Nickname: America's Heart Throb; The Boss

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 245 lbs

From: Roanoke, VA

Birthday: Jun 11th

Pro Debut: 1977

Aliases: Terry Allen, Jesse James

Feds Worked For: MSW, UWF, WCCW, AWA, NWA, All Star Wrestling (Canada), Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Championship Wrestling from Georgia (GA), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), Continental Wrestling Association (AR/KY/TN), Florida Championship Wrestling (FL), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Mid-Pacific Promotions (HI), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR/WA), Pro Wrestling USA, Southwest Championship Wrestling (TX), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO)

Finisher: Belly To Belly Suplex

Signature Moves: Dropkick, Atomic Knee, Back Body Drop, Atomic Drop, Back Body Drop, Belly To Back Suplex, Cloverleaf, Dropkick, Gorilla Press Slam

Career Highlights: -MSW North American Champion (2x)
-MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Jim Duggan and Mr. Wrestling II)
-NWA (Florida) Global Tag Team Champion (5x; 3 w/ Scott McGhee, 1 each w/ Midnight Rider and Brad Armstrong)
-NWA United States Champion (2x)

Affiliates: Tim Woods, Mr. Wrestling II, Frank James/Dusty Rhodes, Jim Duggan, El Sancho, Barry Windham, Tully Blanchard, Scott McGhee, Midnight Rider, Brad Armstrong, Nikita Koloff

Notable Feuds: Mr. Wrestling II, Wahoo McDaniel, Kamala, Tully Blanchard, Baby Doll, Ric Flair, Nikita Koloff, Ivan Koloff, Jimmy Garvin, Precious, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey, Don Kent, Johnny Heffernan, Butch Reed

Other Facts: -Brother of pro wrestler Bret Allen
-His current wife is the ex-wife of pro wrestler Tully Blanchard
-Stepfather of pro wrestler Tessa Blanchard, who he trained for pro wrestling
-Former stepfather-in-law of pro wrestler Daga
-Godfather of pro wrestler Cody Rhodes
-Competed for a time wearing a mask and using the name Jesse James. He is not to be confused with the Jesse James that competed in TSW or "Road Dogg" Jesse James that competed in WWF and WWE. While competing as Jesse James, he was billed as the brother of Frank James (AKA Dusty Rhodes). Together they were known as The James Boys. Later when using the name Magnum T. A. and Dusty Rhodes, they were known as America's Team.
-Trained for pro wrestling by Buzz Sawyer. Sawyer told Magnum that a wrestling license cost $10K. After Magnum got that money from his grandfather and gave it to Sawyer, Sawyer left the Carolinas and went to Oregon. At the encouragement of Jimmy Garvin, Magnum tracked Buzz down in Oregon and Buzz gave him a grand total of 2 hours of training, where he learned to tie up, hit the ropes, take a backdrop and do a few other moves. The next night, Magnum wrestled Buzz on television and his career began.
-Lettered in wrestling and track at Norfolk Collegiate Prep School in Norfolk, VA. In wrestling, he went from winning only one match as a freshman, to winning the state championship at 167 pounds as a senior in 1977. He wrestled briefly at Old Dominion University at the Division I level before he left to become a pro wrestler.
-The name Magnum T. A. was given to him by Andre the Giant, based on his resemblance to Tom Selleck, who played Thomas Magnum on the TV show "Magnum P. I.". Andre suggested Allen use the Magnum name with the initials of his real name.
-Was the first person to be hit by Jim Cornette's tennis racket. Because of both men's inexperience at the time, Cornettte accidentally busted open Magnum's chin with it.
-Was in a career ending car accident on October 14, 1986. His final opponent that night had been Jimmy Garvin.
-Served as color commentator for NWA & WCW
-Now owns a cell phone tower company, and has interests in real estate.
-Inducted into the NWA Hall of Heroes in 2013
-Received the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame's Lou Thesz Award in 2017
-Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2020
-Appeared in and was the subject of the "Dark Side of the Ring" episode entitled "Shattered: The Magum T. A. Story"