Profile last updated by: Sean Sweeny

Junk Yard Dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SguU_BM-1T8

Check out Junk Yard Dog’s WWE Alumni profile here!

[Junk Yard Dog GALLERY]

 

Title History

  • NWA Mid America Tag Team titles w/Gypsy Joe won a Tournament (December 25, 1977);
  • Stampede North American Heavyweight title defeating Alo Leilani (December 1, 1978);
  • Stampede North American Heavyweight title defeating Jake Roberts (August ??, 1979);
  • Mid South Mississippi Heavyweight title defeating Bull Ramos (????, 1980);
  • Mid South Louisiana Heavyweight title defeating Terry Gordy (????, 1980);
  • Mid South Louisiana Heavyweight title defeating Ernie Ladd (March 14, 1980);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Buck Robley defeating Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy (April 6, 1980);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Terry Orndorff defeating Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy (September 19, 1980);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Killer Karl Kox defeating Leroy Brown & Ernie Ladd (January 29, 1981);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Dick Murdoch defeating Super Destroyer & The Grappler (April 27, 1981);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Dick Murdoch defeating Afa & Sika (July ??, 1981);
  • Mid South Louisiana Heavyweight title defeating Great Kabuki (October ??, 1981);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Mike George defeating Afa & Sika (October 15, 1981);
  • Mid South Tag Team titles w/Mr. Olympia defeating Afa & Sika (May 5, 1982);
  • Mid South North American Heavyweight title defeating Bob Roop (June 21, 1982);
  • Mid South North American Heavyweight title defeating Ted DiBiase (November 25, 1982);
  • Mid South North American Heavyweight title defeating Mr. Olympia in a tournament (April 16, 1983);
  • Mid South North American Heavyweight title defeating Butch Reed (October 26, 1983);
  • WWF (World Wrestling Federation) Wrestling Classic Tournament Winner (November 7, 1985);
  • WCW World Six Man Tag titles w/Ricky Morton & Tommy Rich beat Buddy Landel & Mr. X & Dutch Mantell (February 17, 1991);
  • USWA Unified World Heavyweight title defeating Eddie Gilbert (September 21, 1992);

Junk Yard Dog Career Highlights

In The Beginning

  • Sylvester Ritter was a 2-time honorable mention All-American on the gridiron at North Carolina’s Fayetteville State University..
  • 1975: Sylvester Ritter graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in geography..
  • Sylvester Ritter was selected as a small-college All-American and later spent time in the Green Bay Packers organization..
  • Sylvester Ritter eventually had surgery on his knee and back, which put an end to his professional football career..
  • Sylvester Ritter then found a new profession…. Professional Wrestling!

Tennessee – Leroy Rochester

  • 1977: Sylvester Ritter debuted in the wrestling business for promoter Jerry Jarrett in Tennessee..
  • 1977: Sylvester Ritter honed his skills in Tennessee and eventually began wrestling as “Leroy Rochester” for promoter Nick Gulas..
  • 1978: Sylvester Ritter left the Tennessee area and briefly toured Germany..

Stampede Wrestling – Big Daddy Ritter

  • 1978: Sylvester Ritter then joined Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling in Calgary and became known as “Big Daddy” Ritter..
  • Big Daddy Ritter won the Stampede North American title twice; once defeating Alo Leilani and once defeating Jake Roberts..

Mid-South Wrestling – The Junk Yard Dog

  • Oklahoma-based promoter Cowboy Bill Watts gave Sylvester Ritter the name (and gimmick) – the Junk Yard Dog..
  • ~~~JYD’s name came from a line in a Jim Croece song from the early ’70s entitled “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown..
  • JYD enjoyed big-money feuds in Mid-South with such stars as Jim Duggan, Butch Reed, Tully Blanchard & One Man Gang..
  • 1980: While feuding with The Fabulous Freebirds, Junk Yard Dog was “blinded” by the Freebird hair removal cream..
  • 1984: David von Erich Memorial “Parade of Champions”: Junk Yard Dog defeated The Missing Link by DQ at Texas Stadium..

World Wrestling Federation – The Junk Yard Dog

National Wrestling Alliance – The Junk Yard Dog

  • Junk Yard Dog resurfaced later in the National Wrestling Alliance..
  • Junk Yard Dog scored several non-title victories over NWA World champion Ric Flair..
  • June 13, 1990 – “Coastal Crunch” Clash of Champions: Junk Yard Dog defeated “Nature Boy Ric Flair by DQ..
  • Junk Yard Dog was fired by WCW management for no-showing a major live appearance and later a pay-per-view..

World Championship Wrestling – The Junk Yard Dog

  • 1992: Bill Watts took over WCW and brought his old friend (Junk Yard Dog) back in for one last run..
  • Junk Yard Dog was put in a group called “Dudes With Attitudes” along with Sting, Lex Luger & Paul Orndorff..

Retirement – The Junk Yard Dog

  • May 1998 – ECW Wrestlepalooza: JYD made an appearance along with Bob Armstrong, Dick Slater and Masked Superstar..
  • ~~~Junk Yard Dog was honored as a “hardcore legend,” and got the biggest pop of the night, to the thunderous cheers of “JYD!”
  • June 2, 1998: Sylvester Ritter was the victim of a fatal one-car accident on Interstate 20 near Forest, Mississippi..
  • ~~~Ritter was killed about 11:40 a.m. returning home from his daughter’s high school graduation in Wadesboro, N.C..
  • ~~~Ritter was 45-years old at the time of his death..
  • Famous Quote: “I’m sure enough in living colour!”
  • March 13, 2004 – WWE: Junk Yard Dog was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York City!
  • ~~~Junk Yard Dog’s daughter (Latoya Ritter) was on hand to accept the honor in place of her famour father..
  • March 14, 2004 – WrestleMania XX: Junk Yard Dog was honored with all the other Hall of Fame inductees during the Pay Per View..