What Could Have Been
Chapter Two: A.K.A. Magnum T.A.
#PWHS #Article #WhatCouldHaveBeen #WCHB #MagnumTA
Terry Allen, A.K.A. Magnum T.A., had just wrestled a match against Jimmy Garvin on the night of October 14, 1986 in Greenville, South Carolina. That night he had agreed to drive Dick Murdoch to a popular hangout in Charlotte, North Carolina. Magnum was driving his $53,000 Porsche. He dropped Murdoch off, then headed home. However, the road was wet, and Magnum, hydroplaned his Porsche. He remembered that you're supposed to give the Porsche gas in that situation. When he did so, the car zoomed out and Magnum hit a pole. The result of the accident was the end of Magnum's career.
The following, is a fantasy. A what if. You ever wonder "What Could Have Been" if Magnum was able to wrestle again after the accident? Well, then get ready, 'cause your about to find out!
Magnum T.A. is involved in a car accident on the night of October 14, 1986. It is announced that Magnum will be out until at least June of 1987. He may never wrestle again.
As the weeks go by they air footage of Magnum's recovery. They show him reading letters from fans, and being visited by his fellow wrestlers. Then they show footage of his rehab. Finally after months of recovery it is announced that Magnum will return in June.
It is June of 1987. Magnum returns on an episode of World Championship Wrestling. He does an interview and during it, Dusty Rhodes comes out. Dusty gives Magnum a big hug.
The following week, Magnum has his first match back. His opponent...Jimmy Garvin.
World Championship Wrestling
Magnum T.A. pins Jimmy Garvin.
The next week, Magnum and Dusty are in action together!
World Championship Wrestling
Magnum T.A. and Dusty Rhodes pin George South and Pez Whatley.
For the next three weeks Dusty and Magnum beat various preliminary teams. Then on the fourth week, they face a top team in Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard.
World Championship Wrestling
Dusty Rhodes and Magnum T.A. Vs. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard ends in a no-contest when the other Horsemen (Ric Flair & Lex Luger) come out and attack Dusty and Magnum!
World Championship Wrestling
It is announced Magnum will challenge United States Champion Lex Luger for the title at The Great American Bash!
The Great American Bash
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. pins Lex Luger with a belly-to-belly suplex to win the title!
On World Championship Wrestling, Magnum defends the United States Title against Arn Anderson.
World Championship Wrestling
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. pins Arn Anderson.
The following week against Tully Blanchard!
World Championship Wrestling
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. pins Tully Blanchard
Then Lex Luger gets his rematch!
World Championship Wrestling
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. beats Lex Luger by disqualification.
The Horsemen attack Magnum, but Dusty makes the save, as do Ron and Jimmy Garvin!
Then, a six man tag is made for the following week!
World Championship Wrestling
Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard pin Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and Ron Garvin.
Flair is handed a pair of knucks by J.J. Dillon, the manager of the Horsemen. Dusty knocks Flair down and the knucks go flying into Dusty's hands. Dusty, goes to use them on Flair, Flair ducks, Dusty hits Magnum! Flair pins Magnum!
So, the next week, Magnum is interviewed, and he's not happy!
World Championship Wrestling
"I don't like to lose by any means. Accident or not, Dusty cost me the match. Now, the one thing I want you to understand, I want the people to understand, is a man can only take so much...before he snaps, and after everything I've been through, this doesn't help matters. I know Dusty didn't mean to do it, so I'm not blaming him. I blame myself...for being in the wrong place...at the wrong time."
Dusty comes out and says he has a surprise!
"Magnum baby, forget about what happened last week, cause I got a surprise for you man. Next week, we gonna challenge Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for their world tag team titles baby!"
And so it happens!
World Championship Wrestling
World Tag Team Titles Match
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard pin Dusty Rhodes and Magnum T.A.
Magnum is pinned after Anderson hits him with a chair!
A rematch is made for the following week!
World Championship Wrestling
World Tag Team Titles Match
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard beat Dusty Rhodes and Magnum T.A. by disqualification, when Dusty is caught with a chair that Arn had brought into the ring!
Detroit, Michigan - September 25, 1987
World Heavyweight Title Match
Dusty Rhodes beat Ric Flair for the world title.
Magnum comes out and raises Dusty's arm. On the way out of the ring, Dusty drops the title. Magnum picks it up...stares at it...and then gives it back to Dusty.
The following week on Wold Championship Wrestling, Magnum and Dusty get one more crack at the tag team titles!
World Championship Wrestling
World Tag Team Titles Match
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard pin Magnum T.A. and Dusty Rhodes.
During the match, Dusty injures his leg. Instead of tagging in the fresh Magnum, Dusty decides to fight through the pain. But, in the end the pain is too much to bare.
Then something truly shocking happened!
As told by David Crockett: "They lost again? I can't believe it...OH MY GOD! WHAT? WHY? Magnum just kicked Dusty's injured leg. Why would he do that?"
The following week, Magnum is interviewed at ringside!
World Championship Wrestling
"I don't owe these fans anything. If they were smart to begin with they would know, that Magnum T.A. is not a loser. He doesn't hang with losers, and Dusty Rhodes, he cost me three times! That's money I will never see, thanks to that jealous, overpriced glory-hound!"
Dusty comes out and tries to reason with Magnum.
"Magnum, you're like a son to me. You have all the skill to be the next world champion baby, but this is not the way."
"A son? Dusty... I will look into your eyes, and will tell you just how much that means to me...Nothing. Your nothing to me. Not a father, and certainly not a friend. You USED me to get that world title! You're pathetic!"
Magnum then knocks Dusty to the ground, and Magnum calmly walks away as Dusty screams, "DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU?!"
The next week it is announced that at Starrcade, in Chicago, it will be champion vs. champion, title for title, United States Champion, Magnum T.A. will challenge NWA World Champion, Dusty Rhodes in a steel cage!
World Championship Wrestling
However, Magnum has words for Dick Murdoch first.
"Murdoch, you were my friend, but if I didn't have to drop your stupid, pathetic, drunken self off at that bar, I wouldn't have had my accident! I would have been world champion if it wasn't for you!"
Magnum attacks Murdoch, and busts him open!
Dusty comes out for the save!
The next week a tag match is made.
World Championship Wrestling
Magnum T.A. and Ric Flair beat Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch.
Starrcade 1987
Title for Title - Steel Cage Match
Magnum T.A. beats Dusty Rhodes to win the World Title!
The following year Magnum turns face again and defends the World Title against Flair at Starrcade, but that's a tale of a different color!
Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it! Until next time, Save me a ringside seat!
The following, is a fantasy. A what if. You ever wonder "What Could Have Been" if Magnum was able to wrestle again after the accident? Well, then get ready, 'cause your about to find out!
Magnum T.A. is involved in a car accident on the night of October 14, 1986. It is announced that Magnum will be out until at least June of 1987. He may never wrestle again.
As the weeks go by they air footage of Magnum's recovery. They show him reading letters from fans, and being visited by his fellow wrestlers. Then they show footage of his rehab. Finally after months of recovery it is announced that Magnum will return in June.
It is June of 1987. Magnum returns on an episode of World Championship Wrestling. He does an interview and during it, Dusty Rhodes comes out. Dusty gives Magnum a big hug.
The following week, Magnum has his first match back. His opponent...Jimmy Garvin.
World Championship Wrestling
Magnum T.A. pins Jimmy Garvin.
The next week, Magnum and Dusty are in action together!
World Championship Wrestling
Magnum T.A. and Dusty Rhodes pin George South and Pez Whatley.
For the next three weeks Dusty and Magnum beat various preliminary teams. Then on the fourth week, they face a top team in Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard.
World Championship Wrestling
Dusty Rhodes and Magnum T.A. Vs. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard ends in a no-contest when the other Horsemen (Ric Flair & Lex Luger) come out and attack Dusty and Magnum!
World Championship Wrestling
It is announced Magnum will challenge United States Champion Lex Luger for the title at The Great American Bash!
The Great American Bash
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. pins Lex Luger with a belly-to-belly suplex to win the title!
On World Championship Wrestling, Magnum defends the United States Title against Arn Anderson.
World Championship Wrestling
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. pins Arn Anderson.
The following week against Tully Blanchard!
World Championship Wrestling
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. pins Tully Blanchard
Then Lex Luger gets his rematch!
World Championship Wrestling
United States Title Match
Magnum T.A. beats Lex Luger by disqualification.
The Horsemen attack Magnum, but Dusty makes the save, as do Ron and Jimmy Garvin!
Then, a six man tag is made for the following week!
World Championship Wrestling
Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard pin Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and Ron Garvin.
Flair is handed a pair of knucks by J.J. Dillon, the manager of the Horsemen. Dusty knocks Flair down and the knucks go flying into Dusty's hands. Dusty, goes to use them on Flair, Flair ducks, Dusty hits Magnum! Flair pins Magnum!
So, the next week, Magnum is interviewed, and he's not happy!
World Championship Wrestling
"I don't like to lose by any means. Accident or not, Dusty cost me the match. Now, the one thing I want you to understand, I want the people to understand, is a man can only take so much...before he snaps, and after everything I've been through, this doesn't help matters. I know Dusty didn't mean to do it, so I'm not blaming him. I blame myself...for being in the wrong place...at the wrong time."
Dusty comes out and says he has a surprise!
"Magnum baby, forget about what happened last week, cause I got a surprise for you man. Next week, we gonna challenge Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for their world tag team titles baby!"
And so it happens!
World Championship Wrestling
World Tag Team Titles Match
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard pin Dusty Rhodes and Magnum T.A.
Magnum is pinned after Anderson hits him with a chair!
A rematch is made for the following week!
World Championship Wrestling
World Tag Team Titles Match
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard beat Dusty Rhodes and Magnum T.A. by disqualification, when Dusty is caught with a chair that Arn had brought into the ring!
Detroit, Michigan - September 25, 1987
World Heavyweight Title Match
Dusty Rhodes beat Ric Flair for the world title.
Magnum comes out and raises Dusty's arm. On the way out of the ring, Dusty drops the title. Magnum picks it up...stares at it...and then gives it back to Dusty.
The following week on Wold Championship Wrestling, Magnum and Dusty get one more crack at the tag team titles!
World Championship Wrestling
World Tag Team Titles Match
Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard pin Magnum T.A. and Dusty Rhodes.
During the match, Dusty injures his leg. Instead of tagging in the fresh Magnum, Dusty decides to fight through the pain. But, in the end the pain is too much to bare.
Then something truly shocking happened!
As told by David Crockett: "They lost again? I can't believe it...OH MY GOD! WHAT? WHY? Magnum just kicked Dusty's injured leg. Why would he do that?"
The following week, Magnum is interviewed at ringside!
World Championship Wrestling
"I don't owe these fans anything. If they were smart to begin with they would know, that Magnum T.A. is not a loser. He doesn't hang with losers, and Dusty Rhodes, he cost me three times! That's money I will never see, thanks to that jealous, overpriced glory-hound!"
Dusty comes out and tries to reason with Magnum.
"Magnum, you're like a son to me. You have all the skill to be the next world champion baby, but this is not the way."
"A son? Dusty... I will look into your eyes, and will tell you just how much that means to me...Nothing. Your nothing to me. Not a father, and certainly not a friend. You USED me to get that world title! You're pathetic!"
Magnum then knocks Dusty to the ground, and Magnum calmly walks away as Dusty screams, "DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU?!"
The next week it is announced that at Starrcade, in Chicago, it will be champion vs. champion, title for title, United States Champion, Magnum T.A. will challenge NWA World Champion, Dusty Rhodes in a steel cage!
World Championship Wrestling
However, Magnum has words for Dick Murdoch first.
"Murdoch, you were my friend, but if I didn't have to drop your stupid, pathetic, drunken self off at that bar, I wouldn't have had my accident! I would have been world champion if it wasn't for you!"
Magnum attacks Murdoch, and busts him open!
Dusty comes out for the save!
The next week a tag match is made.
World Championship Wrestling
Magnum T.A. and Ric Flair beat Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch.
Starrcade 1987
Title for Title - Steel Cage Match
Magnum T.A. beats Dusty Rhodes to win the World Title!
The following year Magnum turns face again and defends the World Title against Flair at Starrcade, but that's a tale of a different color!
Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it! Until next time, Save me a ringside seat!
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
What Could Have Been: Chapter Two.
Author: Shea Heath.
Published: February 17, 2018.
Article: #185.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
What Could Have Been: Chapter Two.
Author: Shea Heath.
Published: February 17, 2018.
Article: #185.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
What Could Have Been: Chapter Three - Read Here.
What Could Have Been: Chapter One - Read Here.
Other articles by Shea can be Read Here.