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For the entire
decade of the 80s, the Junkyard Dog thrilled fans like few of his
contemporaries. From New Orleans' Superdome to Atlanta's Omni to New
York's Madison Square Garden, the former professional football player-turned-wrestler
was easily one of the most beloved superstars in the entire sport,
as well as one of its biggest draws.
During the height of the WWF's popularity in the mid-1980s, JYD was
one of the wrestlers that became a true "mainstream" celebrity
and was known all across the country. However, JYD was a huge superstar
long before he stepped foot inside a WWF ring, and his exploits (as
well as his drawing power) in the NWA's Mid South, World Class and
Georgia territories are legendary. In his day, JYD was truly a wrestling
superstar like few others.
After a stint in pro football, JYD began his wrestling career in Stu
Hart's Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling promotion. The talented big
man quickly made the transition from pro football to pro wrestling,
and he won the area's top belt - the Stampede North American Heavyweight
Championship. JYD held the North American title for nearly 6 months
before he was upset by another future superstar (who was also breaking
into the business through Stampede Wrestling) Jake
Roberts. After a 4-month reign by the "Snake," JYD regained
the title from Roberts. After learning his craft while wrestling in
Canada, JYD moved on to new challenges - and unimagined fame - in
America.
JYD became one of the biggest stars the wrestling hotbed of the southern
United States had ever seen. Once he traveled south, JYD quickly established
himself as the one of the NWA's top draws, and most popular fan favorites.
One of the first men of the 1980s to use ring music, fans always heard
the opening bass notes of Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust,"
and knew the Dog was in the house - and exploded with cheers. JYD
won the Louisiana Heavyweight title by defeating one of his great
enemies, "The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd. However, after winning
his feud with Ladd, JYD began one of the longest, most intense feuds
of his career against Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy and the Fabulous
Freebirds.
JYD also traveled to the NWA's other successful regional promotions,
such as Dallas' World Class Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling,
and Championship Wrestling from Florida - becoming a top performer
and loved hero everywhere he went.
Far from a "ring technician," JYD had a very limited repertoire
in terms of technical moves. However, the moves the Dog did possess
were more than enough to overwhelm most opponents. His head-butt,
football tackle, and of course, his running power slam (called the
"Thump") led to victory after victory for JYD. He was a
power wrestler, and was one of the first (and best) in a wave that
would soon sweep over wrestling for several years during the 1980's.
After years of being one of the NWA's most popular and successful
wrestlers, and headlining several cards held in the cavernous New
Orleans SuperDome, JYD left the NWA and entered the World Wrestling
Federation in 1983. From then on, the Junk Yard Dog's life was never
the same.
As part of the World Wrestling Federation, JYD became a household
name, and although he never wore any WWF gold, he was a huge star
in the promotion for several of its best years. JYD's merchandise
was always a top seller, and he appeared as a "special guest
star" on numerous television shows. JYD - with his charismatic
personality and good-hearted charm - was a big hit with the WWF's
large base of kid viewers, and led to his inclusion as an animated
character on WWF's Saturday morning CBS cartoon show, "Hulk Hogan's
Rock `N Wrestling."
In the ring, the Dog continued his winning ways in feuds with numerous
opponents, including his old Stampede rival Jake
"The Snake" Roberts, the effeminate Adrian Adonis, and
of course, "King" Harley Race. JYD's feud with Race over
the King of the Ring crown and robe was one of his last major feuds
in the WWF.
On June 1, 1998,
Sylvester Ritter, the Junkyard Dog, was killed in a tragic auto accident
at the age of just 45.
Title
Summary:
Stampede N.
American Heavyweight
Championship (2)
Louisiana Heavyweight Championship
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