Doug Gentry hands down was one of the smartest and most creative guys I have met in my 6 years in the wrestling business. It is a shame I only got to know him for the better part of a year. I have no idea how an infection found room in Doug's blood as I'm positive the only thing that flowed through his veins 24/7 was wrestling. I traveled with Doug and the RF crew several times this year on the long haul to the many shots in VA we had. Doug loved to drive and only didn't if there was a dvd player or laptop so he could pop in Best Of Madison Square Garden 1981 or something along those lines.
Doug knew I love old school wrestling and would talk my ear off about it any chance he got...and I never minded one bit. Why? This wrestling business is full of people who are full of shit. Everyone talks like they know everything. Everyone talks like they could book the greatest wrestling show ever. Everyone talks like they could be Vince's boss and tell him what he is doing wrong. Not Doug. He was one of the few genuine people in this business who was just happy watching wrestling, telling past stories and tossing out ideas. Doug had a million ideas, then he had at least another million ideas of how to add on to something else. Before my matches, I would always ask Doug "Ok, this is who's going over, what kinda finish would make you pop big?" I always had a little bit more fun with my matches where Doug was the cameraman. You could always count on Doug to not miss a shot or to be there if you wanted the cameras attention. Sometimes he would throw out sarcastic "commentating" comments during a match under his breath and in the heat of the moment trying to be dead serious, I'd have to bite my lip and not start laughing.
It was unreal to see how much he deteriorated in such a short time. I saw him Oct 28 and he looked like Doug. I saw him Dec 2nd and he didn't. In fact, I saw him on the 9th and his weight loss was very noticable in just a week. I was sitting the in the bleachers with Doug shooting the shit about wrestling, but I kept asking him if he had seen a doc, he said no. He thought he had a really bad flu. April and I talked to Rob on the side and asked him what the deal was. Rob was very worried and concerned that Doug needed to see a doctor and fast. I thought for sure once they figured out exactly what was wrong and followed procedure with meds and surgery, that Doug was going to be just fine...got an email from him just the other day saying he was feeling a little bit better...and then this. This sucks...He was very loyal and big hearted...He was great human being...He was very energetic and intelligent...because of all that, he will be sorely missed. April and I send our condolences out to his family and wish the best for Rob and Joe.
Doug Gentry: Class Act all the way to the heavens. R.I.P.
-Jordan
