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Junkyard Dog

Nickname: J. Y. D.

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 (AKA Son of Junkyard Dog)
-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