Sylvester Ritter
Sylvester Ritter was an American professional wrestler and professional football player, best known for his work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as The Junkyard Dog (or JYD for short), a nickname Ritter received while working in a wrecking yard. Entering the ring with his trademark chain attached to a dog collar, to the music of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," JYD regularly headlined cards that sold out the Louisiana Superdome and other major venues, becoming "the first blackwrestler to be made the undisputed top star of his promotion". JYD was one of the most electrifying and charismatic wrestlers in the country, particularly during his peak in the early 1980s. JYD was most known for his head butt and upper-body strength, the latter of which saw him regularly body slam such large wrestlers as The One Man Gang, Kamala, and King Kong Bundy. The word "Thump," which referred to JYD's power slam, was prominently displayed on his wrestling trunks.
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- 1952-12-13 · Wadesboro, North Carolina, USA
- Died
- 1998-06-02
Known for
- Andre the Giant (2018) — Self (archive footage)
- Dark Side of the Ring (2019) — Self (Archival Footage)
- WrestleMania (1985) — The Junkyard Dog
- WWE WrestleMania III (1987) — The Junkyard Dog
- WWE Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) — Junkyard Dog
- WrestleMania II (1986) — The Junkyard Dog
- WWE WrestleMania IV (1988) — The Junkyard Dog
- The True Story of WrestleMania (2011) — Junkyard Dog
- WWE Royal Rumble 1988 (1988) — The Junkyard Dog
- The Wrestling Classic (1985) — The Junkyard Dog
- WWE SummerSlam 1988 (1988) — The Junkyard Dog
- WWF Superstars (1986) — The Junkyard Dog
- WWE: The Ladder Match (2007) — Big Daddy Ritter
- WCW Halloween Havoc 1990 (1990) — Junkyard Dog
- WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time (2010) — Junkyard Dog
- WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology (2006) — Junkyard Dog