Tommy Young started out as a wrestler in 1971 for Ed Farhat in Michigan and later as a referee in Pedro Martínez's National Wrestling Federation.

In this role, Young officiated many famous matches throughout professional wrestling history, including several classic bouts between Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat.

On November 28, 1989, while refereeing a match between Mike Rotunda and Tommy Rich at a World Championship Wrestling TV taping in Atlanta, Georgia, Young suffered a career-ending injury.

Following the injury, Young drove a parts truck for a Toyota dealership and made home deliveries for prescription drugs.

He attends wrestling reunion shows and still occasionally referees, including special matches such as the Rock and Roll Express vs.