Bios
Junkyard Dog
Nickname: JYD
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 280 lbs.
From: Charlotte, NC
Birthday: Dec 13th
Pro Debut: 1977
Aliases: Leroy Rochester, Big Daddy Ritter, Stagger Lee [1st], Sylvester Ritter, Sylvester Jones
Feds Worked For: IPW, MSW, NWA, SoCW, TSW, USWA, WCCW, WCW, WWF, All-American Pro Wrestling (MI), All Star Wrestling (GA), Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), Clark Sports, Inc. (IL), Eastern Championship Wrestling (MD/NJ/NY/PA), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Gulas Wrestling Entertainment (TN), Gulf Athletic Club (TX), International Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling Association (NC), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Mid-Southern Wrestling (TN), Mid Eastern Wrestling Federation (MD), National Wrestling Conference (CA/NV), NWA Big Time Wrestling (TX), NWA Dallas (TX), NWA Mid-America (AL/TN), South Atlantic Pro Wrestling (NC), Southeast Championship Wrestling (AL/TN), Stampede Wrestling (Canada), Trans World Wrestling Federation (MD/NJ/PA)
Finisher: The Thump (Power Slam)
Signature Moves: Headbutt, Shoulder Breaker
Career Highlights: -MSW Louisiana Champion (3x)
-MSW Mississippi Champion
-MSW North American Champion (4x)
-MSW Tag Team Champion (9x; 3 w/ Dick Murdoch, 1 each w/ Buck Robley, Terry Orndorff, Karl Kox, Mike George, Don Diamond, and Mr. Olympia)
-NWA (Georgia) Southern Champion
-NWA Mid-America Tag Team Champion (w/ Gypsy Joe)
-Stampede North American Champion (2x)
-USWA Unified World Champion
-WCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion (w/ Ricky Morton & Tommy Rich)
Affiliates: Dick Murdoch, Buck Robley, Terry Orndorff, Karl Kox, Mike George, Don Diamond, Mr. Olympia, Ricky Morton, Tommy Rich, Gypsy Joe, Curtis Hughes, J. R. Foley, Tony Atlas, Mr. Wrestling II, El Gigante, Lex Luger, Paul Orndorff, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Sting, Tito Santana, André the Giant, George Steele, Jim Duggan, Ricky Steamboat, Bill Watts, Ernie Ladd, Thunderbolt Patterson
Notable Feuds: Ted DiBiase, Jim Duggan, Matt Borne, Skandor Akbar, Curtis Hughes, Mr. Olympia, The Fabulous Freebirds, Terry Funk, Ron Bass, The Wild Samoans, Ernie Ladd, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Michael Hayes, Greg Valentine, Ron Bass, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Bob Orton, Jr., Butch Reed, Leroy Brown, The Iron Sheik, One Man Gang, Jake Roberts, Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Jim Neidhart, John Studd, Brutus Beefcake, King Kong Bundy, The Grappler/Len Denton, Hercules Hernández, Lanny Poffo, Scott Irwin, Kamala, Ken Patera, Dory Funk, Jr., Barry Darsow/Krusher Darsow/Smash, Randy Savage, Don Muraco, Adrian Adonis, Danny Davis, Moondog Rex, Bret Hart, Barry Windham, Roddy Piper, Bobby Eaton, Masked Superstar/Ax
Other Facts: -Real name was Sylvester Ritter
-Father of professional wrestler Mike Carter
-Uncle of professional wrestler Rodney Mack, who he trained for pro wrestling. He also trained Mack's wife Jazz for pro wrestling
-Was given the name Junkyard Dog by Bill Watts
-Wrestled under a mask as Stagger Lee for a brief time after losing a Loser-Leaves-Mid-South Match. He is not to be confused with the Stagger Lee that competed in Oklahoma in the 1990s.
-Sometimes billed from Nashville, TN
-Recorded the song "Grab them Cakes" for the 1st Wrestling Album the WWF put out.
-First person to come to the ring at WrestleMania with entrance music.
-Best Man at Ted DiBiase's wedding
-Former member of The Soul Patrol
-Former member of Dudes With Attitudes
-Voted Inspirational Wrestler of the Year by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1980
-Voted Feud of the Year (vs. Ted DiBiase) by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1982
-Ranked #158 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Ranked #112 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked #132 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked #146 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked #219 in the 1995 PWI 500
-Ranked #275 in the 1996 PWI 500
-Passed away on June 2, 1998 when he was killed in a car accident at the age of 45. Reportedly Buddy Landel was the only wrestler to attend JYD's funeral.
-Posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004
-Posthumously inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2012
-Was featured in the WWE DVD "The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80's"
-Was the subject of the book "The King of New Orleans - How The Junkyard Dog Became Professional Wrestling's First Black Superstar" written by Greg Klein and released in 2013
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
- 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
- 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
- 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
Week of Sun 06-16 to Sat: 06-22
- 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
- 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
- 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
- 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Champion
- 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
- 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
- 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
- 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
- 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
- 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Champion
- 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
- 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
- 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Champions
- 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Champion
- 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Champion
- 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
- 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
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