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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />At this point, Jim Cornette jumps in to tell us that wrestling licenses usually cost between $10-$25. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Named by Andre the Giant, Influenced by Dusty<br />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. <br /><br />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).
