I just mailed out a card to the Langhorne, PA address last week, so my friend can know he is in my wishes and prayers and that I hope he has a speedy recovery from his rare health condition. I wanted him to know that he is thought of during his most recent state of being and that he get better soon. It wasn't often that I spoke with him or even stayed in contact with him much, but knew reaching out to him that way would put a smile on his face, knowing that a brother of his in wrestling was thinking of him and was wishing him well. I will never know how thankful he may have been for that sign of good graces. I wish I knew, 'cause he was always one of my favorite guys on the wrestling scene.

As many may not know, prior to donning a pair of boots and tights and performing before crowds big and small, I shot backstage and ringside photography at many ECW events and travelled to an array of their venues during the early to mid 90's. Of the RF Video group, Doug was the one that I befriended the most. Unsure what the chemistry was, we just simply hit it off, sharing our love for the sport through stories or recollections of moments in the business, if not just comparing knowledge that we seperately soaked in over the years, and at times stumping one another with trivia due to our rich awareness of the history of the business. He had a great perception of how the business works and was opinionated about the art of our profession, which put me in awe, as I quickly made a new friend who saw what I did as an insider and could relate to very easily.

What made things even easier, was that he was one of the fewer dudes there that were of my age and outside of the actual wrestlers circle. We were part of the family, but just not the immediate crew who formed the notorious cult-like following. I'd always see Gabe running around, but never created a friendship with him, and Rob was always there, but exchanged a few hellos here and there, but that was about it. Doug on the other hand was my compadre. Again, I can't say that I remained very close with him over the years, but when I did see him, whether it be behind the RF Video table selling merchandise, or shooting matches that I was wrestling in, he was always so cool. We'd often get wrapped up in talking wrestling for a great length of time and basically just catching up on old times. When a new tape or DVD came out that I really wanted to see, or had to purchase a wrestling related gift for friends during the holidays, I knew who to call. He always hooked me up with a great deal and I will never forget his generosity.

He had this draw about him, a distinct Philly accent, that if you heard it, make no mistake it was him. Even though he wouldn't appear before the camera on the shoot interviews or such, most likely 'cause he was working the recorder, his voice would be heard in the background spitting out dates, venues, and information that no one else much knew, except for him. He was the turn to guy should insight need to be given on an event or an opponent to spark a memory for the interviewee. He too would know specifics on how things ran overseas and knew facts about many of the international talent that the average fan or even smart mark would even know. Doug was filled with wisdom when it came to wrestling and it's that which I'm gonna miss the most, as there are many individuals in our sport that have no clue about who came before us and paved the way.

As you can tell, I highly respected this guy and is difficult to know that our industry is chalking up another loss, proving once again that "only the good die young."

You will be missed greatly my friend. Please tell the boys upstairs we all said hi!

Yours in Sport,

Judas Young