
Sylvester Ritter
- Date of Birth: 1952-12-13
- Date of Death: 1998-06-02
- Place of Birth: Wadesboro, North Carolina, USA
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 Do... 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.

NWA Starrcade '88: True Gritt
Action • 1988 December

WWF Wrestling Challenge
Drama • 1986 September

WrestleMania
Action, Drama • 1985 March

WWE Royal Rumble
Action, Drama • 1988 January

WrestleMania II
Action, Drama • 1986 April

The Wrestling Classic
• 1985 November

Biography: Wrestlemania I
Documentary • 2022 September

WCW Halloween Havoc '90
Action • 1990 October

NWA Clash of The Champions V: St. Valentine's Massacre
• 1989 February

NWA Lords of The Ring
• 1984 June