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.
Filmography
Biography: Wrestlemania I
2022
as Self (archival footage) - The Junkyard Dog
Andre the Giant
2018
as Self (archive footage)
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
2013
as Junkyard Dog / Stagger Lee
The True Story of WrestleMania
2011
as Junkyard Dog
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
2010
as Junkyard Dog
WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Jerry the King Lawler and Junkyard Dog
2010
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
2009
as Junkyard Dog
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
2008
as The Junkyard Dog
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
2007
as The Junkyard Dog
WWE: The Ladder Match
2007
as Big Daddy Ritter
Heroes of World Class
2006
as Junkyard Dog
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
2006
as Junkyard Dog
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
2005
as Junkyard Dog (Archive Footage)
WWE Hall of Fame 2004
2004
as Self
ECW Wrestlepalooza 1998
1998
as Junkyard Dog (Honoree)
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
1994
as Junkyard Dog (archive footage)
WCW WrestleWar 1991
1991
as The Junkyard Dog
WCW Halloween Havoc 1990
1990
as Junkyard Dog
WCW The Great American Bash 1990
1990
as The Junkyard Dog
NWA Clash of the Champions XI: Coastal Crush
1990
as The Junkyard Dog
NWA Clash of The Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun
1989
as The Junkyard Dog
NWA Clash of The Champions V: St. Valentine's Massacre
1989
as The Junkyard Dog
NWA Starrcade 1988
1988
as The Junkyard Dog
NWA Clash of The Champions IV: Season's Beatings
1988
as The Junkyard Dog (Appearance)