By Brian Hoops, Nostalgia Specialist

This column was originally published in the September 18, 2008 edition of Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter as a PDF-version exclusive feature...

At the start of 1986, Magnum T.A. was being groomed to be the heir apparent to perennial champion Ric Flair, and potentially be Jim Crockett Promotions' answer to the WWE's Hulk Hogan. In order to get him ready for that spot, booker Dusty Rhodes set up a feud between Magnum and the man that had been built up for over a year as being an almost unbeatable monster, Nikita Koloff. During the heart of the Cold War, this feud would capture the intrigue of the entire wrestling world. It was the USA vs. the Soviet Union. It was the good looking, American super-babyface battling the cold-eyed. Soviet monster for possession of the United States Heavyweight Championship.

Throughout the spring and summer of 1986, Magnum T.A. and Nikita Koloff faced each other in every major arena where the company toured. Their many encounters were seen on a national cable television week in and week out by millions of fans. They battled in bloody Texas Death matches, waged war inside a steel cage, and even wrestled tied together with a Russian Chain. The feud culminated during the Great American Bash Tour where the two men met in a unique, month-ling Best of Seven Series to determine once and for all who would be the ultimate victor and become the U.S. Champion.

Twenty years later, fans still remember this feud as one of the greatest ever.

-Kayfabe Commentaries

In the latest DVD release from Kayfabe Commentaries, Magnum T.A. (Terry Allen) and Nikita Koloff (Scott Simpson) discuss their perspective on their feud that ignited the NWA territory in 1986. Magnum and Koloff sit down to re-examine the beginning of their careers, the beginning of their legendary feud and the "Best of 7" series that is still talked about today. In a unique interview style, Koloff and Magnum are separately asked the same questions, with their answers edited side by side. The DVD is available at www.kayfabecommentaries.com. And the DVD comes with a limited commemorative booklet.

The booklet is an excellent and invaluable reference tool. The booklet is 12 pages in length and provides all the details and highlights of their feud. The booklet lists the matches, highlights, dates and locations of their matches, including the legendary "Best of Seven" series that made both men famous.

Terry Allen debuted in professional wrestling in 1977 after being trained by Buzz Sawyer for Florida Championship wrestling. Allen, somewhat resembeled TV star Tom Selleck with his mustache and chest hair and found his career break under the name Magnum TA. Selleck was the star of the hit TV show, Magnum PI, which is where Allen got the name, substituting his initials for the PI. Allen got fire in the NWA in 1984, becoming a top babyface for the promotion and feuded with Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard and the Four Horsemen, and of course Nikita Koloff. A terrible car accident in 1986, left Allen paralyzed on his left side and unable to continue his career as a wrestler. Allen would later be a manager and commentator for the NWA and later the WCW.

Scott Simpson debuted in professional wrestling in 1984 with Jim Crockett Promotions. Simpson graduated from Robbinsdale High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Robbinsdale High School is famous for producing legendary professional wrestlers from that school. Verne Gagne, Larry Hennig, Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, Tom Zenk, Barry Darsow, Brady Boone and Nikita Koloff all graduated from that school. Simpson was given the Koloff gimmick by Jim Crockett and immediately paired with Ivan Koloff. Koloff's early matches were kept very short as he was still learning how to wrestle. By December of 1984, Koloff was part of the NWA six man tag team champions.

In spring of 1986, the famous program between Koloff and Magnum was set to begin. To kick off the program, Koloff attacked NWA United States Champion, Magnum TA during a TV taping in January. In May of 1986; a press conference was held to announce a match between Koloff and Magnum for the U.S. title. During a contract signing, Magnum started a brawl with Koloff after Koloff verbally attacked Magnum's mother. The next week on TBS, NWA President Bob Geigel reprimanded Magnum TA for conduct unbecoming a champion during the previous week's press conference. Magnum responded by punching Geigel. Geigel later announces that Magnum has been stripped of the NWA U.S. Title. This set the stage for a "best of seven" series that would determine the NWA U.S. Heavyweight Title. The matches would take place in during the Great American Bash tour. The first match was held in Philadelphia, Pa and was one by Koloff. Koloff would win the next two matches to go ahead 3-0. Magnum TA would refuse to be beaten and won the next three matches to tie the series at 3-3. The final match was held in Charlotte, NC. Koloff beat Magnum TA in the final match to win the vacant NWA U.S. Title.

The DVD proposes the same questions to both men answering the questions after the other. This gives the product an unique look at the view points of both men. Here are a few examples of the questions posed to Magnum and to Nikita and their answers:

The first time Magnum and Nikita met in the ring. Nikita couldn't remember the very first match and neither could Magnum. Both reflected on their best of seven feud, but that wasn't the first time they had met. It was actually in a battle royal on January 6, 1985, which was won by Magnum.

Discuss your interactions with each other before being put in the ring together. Nikita mentions he had a working relationship with Magnum on a personal level. Magnum said he knew of Nikita by reputation only.

What were your opinions of each other before the feud? Magnum mentions Nikita had the same level of intensity that he had, only Nikita had been in the business a much short time period. Nikita thought they had the potential to have great chemistry and a great feud together.

Discuss Crockett as boss. Magnum credits Crockett as making him no promises, but gave Magnum an incredible opportunity and mentioned Crockett was a man of his word, he will never say a bad word about Crockett. Nikita told the story of how he started in the business. Crockett gave him the gimmick of the Russian Nightmare and Koloff mentioned his developed a good relationship with Crockett.

Discuss Dusty Rhodes as a booker. Koloff indicates he is one of the few people that actually liked Dusty. Rhodes and Koloff used to ride together to matches and maintain a friendship to this day. Magnum said Dusty had a creative edge but called him a dynamic star.

Who first proposed the angle? Koloff credits Dusty with coming up with the angle and being an ingenious guy. Magnum wasn't sure who came up with the idea, but thought Dusty was the one who was pushing the idea based on other sports have a best of series to determine a champion.

What was your favorite part of the best of seven series? Nikita mentions that going up 3-0 and the psychology of the fans thinking Magnum didn't have a chance. Magnum thinks coming back from 3-0 was his favorite part.

Best crowd? Magnum and Nikita both say the final match in Charlotte as the fans were so into that final match.

Any cities that did not respond the way they would have liked? Magnum says all the crowds were hot. Nikita mentioned he had a hard time finding the UIC Pavillion in Chicago.

Favorite Arena? Nikita answered quickly Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Worst Arena? Nikita answered the building in Charleston, South Carolina. Magnum didn't have a worst arena, but mentioned the buildings in the South that didn't have air conditioning.

Discuss working the Great American Bash. Magnum compared it to a traveling circus with lots of musical celebrities, although he really enjoyed the intensity of each of the shows. Koloff said he really enjoyed the huge outdoor stadiums.

What was an average payday for a night at the Bash? Magnum said he was averaging $5,000-$6,000 per week with his biggest payday $13,000 for the "I Quit" match with Tully Blanchard. Nikita said he had his checks sent directly to his business manager and the manager gave him his living allowance.

What was it like working outside of the usual southern markets? Magnum says the northern cities were not any different, but mentioned the western U.S. was a little different fanbase. Koloff said it took time to educate the northern fans to their style of wreslting.

Thoughts on the competition in the Northeast. Koloff mentioned the cartoon like atmosphere in the WWF was a joke among the wrestlers. Magnum thought the NWA was a better product in the ring than the WWF, but the WWF had better production values.

Ever approached to go to the WWF? Would you have gone? Both Magnum and Nikita said they were not approached by the WWF and would not be interested in going.

Did the company appreciate the business you were doing? Both men thought the company was appreciative of the company.

Favorite angle in the feud? Koloff and Magnum both mention the contract signing and told a couple of interesting stories about the contract signing.

Remember any extraordinary events that happened during your matches? Nikita told a story about bleeding and Magnum recalled a story about how hard he was legitimately kicked in the kidney during a match with Koloff.

One of the highlights during the question and answer segment was Koloff and Magnum going back into character and cutting a promo on each other.

The final segment of the DVD was the reunion of Koloff and Magnum TA. Koloff and Magnum were brought together in the same room to answer a few more questions about their feud.

Summary: This DVD was a unique look at one of wrestling's greatest and most remembered rivalry's from the kayfabe era. If you are a fan of wrestling nostalgia, want to relieve one of the most famous feuds from the NWA or learn more about Koloff and Magnum, you definitely want to purchase this dvd. One minor criticism I have of the DVD is the lack of video footage from that time period of the famous angle and the best of seven series. I understand this footage is now property of the WWE and kayfabecommentaries does not have legal access to the footage, that being said, it would have added to the DVD to have the footage available. Overall, I highly recommended it for your collection.

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