Sylvester Ritter
Biography
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.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances
Heroes of World Class
as Junkyard Dog
2006
WrestleMania
as The Junkyard Dog
1985
WWE WrestleMania III
as The Junkyard Dog
1987
WrestleMania II
as The Junkyard Dog
1986
The Wrestling Classic
as The Junkyard Dog
1985
NWA Starrcade 1988
as The Junkyard Dog
1988
WCW Halloween Havoc 1990
as Junkyard Dog
1990
WCW The Great American Bash 1990
as The Junkyard Dog
1990
NWA Clash of The Champions IV: Season's Beatings
as The Junkyard Dog (Appearance)
1988
WCW WrestleWar 1991
as The Junkyard Dog
1991
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
as Junkyard Dog
2006
Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
as The Junkyard Dog
1987
Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
as The Junkyard Dog (archive footage)
1985
Biography: Wrestlemania I
as Self (archival footage) - The Junkyard Dog
2022
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
as Junkyard Dog
2010
Hulkamania 3
as The Junkyard Dog
1988
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
as Junkyard Dog / Stagger Lee
2013
The Best of the WWF: volume 8
as The Junkyard Dog
1986
The Best of the WWF: volume 10
as The Junkyard Dog
1987
The Best of the WWF: volume 9
as The Junkyard Dog
1986
TV Appearances
WWF Wrestling Challenge
as The Junkyard Dog
1986
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
as Junkyard Dog
1985
Dark Side of the Ring
as Self (Archival Footage)
2019
World Class Championship Wrestling
as Junkyard Dog
1982
WWE Old School
as Junkyard Dog
1973
WWE Old School
as The Junkyard Dog
1973
Mid-South Wrestling
as Junkyard Dog (Archive footage)
1981
Mid-South Wrestling
as Stagger Lee
1981
Mid-South Wrestling
as Junkyard Dog
1981
Mid-South Wrestling
as Junkyard Dog (Special Referee)
1981
Tuesday Night Titans
as The Junkyard Dog
1984
Tuesday Night Titans
as Junkyard Dog
1984