The Untold Story of Magnum T.A. | Dark Side of the Ring S4, E2 🥊

The man who would go on to become Magnum TA (Terry Allen) was an aspiring wrestler working in a bar and trying to break into wrestling when he was discovered by a wrestler named Buzz Sawyer who said that he could help him get into the business.

However, Sawyer told Allen that he needed to give him $10,000 so Sawyer could get him a wrestling license. Allen ended up getting the money from his grandfather… and then Sawyer skipped town.

At this point, Jim Cornette jumps in to tell us that wrestling licenses usually cost between $10-$25.

However, after being encouraged by Jimmy Garvin, Allen tracked Sawyer down and Sawyer actually ended up helping him learn the ropes, so to speak. This allowed Magnum to get a job wrestling on television. But Sawyer never gave him the $10,000 back.

Named by Andre the Giant, Influenced by Dusty
Based on his resemblance to Tom Selleck, Terry Allen took on the name Magnum TA, a play on the show Magnum PI. Andre the Giant was credited with giving him the name.

Dusty Rhodes, who was the booker for Championship Wrestling from Florida, helped him create his character. After trying suits and punk rock jackets, they settled on a leather jacket and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. This gimmick caught fire and soon Dusty introduced him to Jim Crockett of Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP).