Wrestler: "Nightmare" Ted Allen
Real Name: Ted Allen Lipscomb
Birthday: November 17, 1955
Hometown: Cartersville, Georgia
Height & Weight: 5'10" - 210 lbs
Debut: 1975
Previous Names: Ted Atlas, MX1 Missile, The Nightmare

Ted Allen was far from a familiar face in the wrestling ring, since he most often worked under a mask, but he was indeed a familiar name in the southern states over the 35 years of his career. The veteran wrestler passed away suddenly of an apparent heart attack on August 19, 2010, at age 54, in Cartersville, Georgia.

 

Allen showed a range of talents in his school years, in athletics, editing the student newspaper, and behind the microphone commentating school sports. He became the ring announcer for wrestling cards in his hometown of Cartersville during his mid-teens, and from there, pro wrestling put an inescapable hammerlock on the rest of his life.

 

Ted began his active career in 1975, juggling wrestling dates with daytime job duties, under the name Ted Atlas. CAC lifer Charlie Smith introduced him to the Atlanta office several years later, and he went full-time as Ted Allen. In 1981, he paired up with Danny Davis under the hoods as “The Nightmares” for three months, but had to end the alliance prematurely.

 

Feeling a new level of confidence behind the mask, Ted spent several months as MX-1 in Stampede Wrestling in Canada and as The Power Ranger in Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling. As the territorial system dwindled, he retained the hood but campaigned as Nightmare Ted Allen, making no secret of his identity in a departure from the secrecy usually associated with a masked man. He branched out into training as well. Arn Anderson of Four Horsemen fame took his initial training from Ted, as did the late Big Bossman Ray Traylor, Bull Buchanan, Scotty Riggs, Ranger Ross and referee Pee Wee Anderson.

 

Hand in hand with wrestling and training went development of his own Peach State Wrestling promotion in Rome, Georgia from 1989 to 1991, custom construction of wrestling rings, and operation of a furniture moving company.

 

Ted Allen had an immense love for wrestling, and fully enjoyed the camaraderie of the boys. “I was really fortunate to break in when I did,” he told his close friend Scott Teal. “I got to work with so many guys that were just great.” His love for the business showed clearly in his regular attendance at the annual Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion, and his membership in CAC. Just days before he passed away, Ted had attended the NWA Legends Fan Fest in Charlotte, NC where he renewed many friendships and as always enjoyed himself immensely.

 

In lieu of flowers, Ted’s family – his two children, and three grandchildren – has requested that donations be made to Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion, 6609 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL 36582.

 

Thanks to the Cauliflower Alley Club for the above.