Bios
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
Supplemental Information
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Spotlight in History
- 1937 Hugh Nichols def. Bobby Chick for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
- 1980 Gino Hernandez def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 1984 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 1989 Super Zodiac II & Cactus Jack def. Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 1989 Super Zodiac def. Eric Embry for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 2007 Brent Albright def. Rocco Valentino for the NWA-U Universal Heavyweight Title
- 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) def. Mass Destruction (Spoiler 2000 & The Bounty Hunter) for the NWA-U Universal Tag Team Titles
- 2012 Ignition def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
- 2012 Super Skunk Ape, Jr. def. Se7en for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 2018 Jerry Dean/Jerry Storm became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
- 2018 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 2023 Brody Wortman def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
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- 2023 Jason Simon def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
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- 2023 Punk Synister def. Drake Gallows for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 2023 Brandon Groom def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 2023 Punk Synister def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 2023 Nibira def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
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Week of Sun 05-17 to Sat: 05-23
- 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 05-17 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Bill Watts for the TSW North American Title
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- 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
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- 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 05-18 1979 Mark Lewin became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
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- 05-19 1984 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac II & Cactus Jack def. Jeff Jarrett & Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 05-19 1989 Super Zodiac def. Eric Embry for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 05-19 2007 Brent Albright def. Rocco Valentino for the NWA-U Universal Heavyweight Title
- 05-19 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) def. Mass Destruction (Spoiler 2000 & The Bounty Hunter) for the NWA-U Universal Tag Team Titles
- 05-19 2012 Ignition def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
- 05-19 2012 Super Skunk Ape, Jr. def. Se7en for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 05-19 2018 Jerry Dean/Jerry Storm became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
- 05-19 2018 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 05-19 2023 Brody Wortman def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Skidz def. Brody Wortman for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Drake Gallows def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Drake Gallows for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Brandon Groom def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Punk Synister def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Jason Simon def. Punk Synister for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Nibira def. Jason Simon for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-19 2023 Mikey O'Shea def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 05-20 1980 Junkyard Dog def. Terry Gordy for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 05-20 2006 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. The Old School Assassins (Brad Michaels & Seth Allen) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 05-20 2006 John O'Malley became the IZW Cruiserweight Champion
- 05-20 2017 Robyn Reid def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
- 05-20 2017 Beach Bod Gods (Angel Camacho & Ray the Bae) def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 05-20 2017 Kevin Morgan def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 05-20 2017 Riker def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 05-20 2022 Wesley Crane def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 05-20 2023 Royal Pimpin' (Alex Royal & Mr. Nasty) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 05-20 2023 Cappuccino Jones def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 05-21 1984 Kevin Von Erich def. Killer Khan for the WCCW Television Title
- 05-21 2004 Cade Sydal def. X-Cal for the SRPW Light Heavyweight Title
- 05-21 2004 Michael Faith def. Butch Dalton for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 05-21 2004 New Canada (AWOL & Jon Davis) def. Sexy Bologna (Anthony Jackson & Sudden Impact) for the TPW Tag Team Titles
- 05-21 2016 Skylar Slice def. Athena for the IZW Queens Title
- 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the IWR Tag Team Titles
- 05-21 2017 Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) def. The Arrow Club (Kyle Hawk & Ky-Ote) for the TCW Tag Team Titles
- 05-22 1955 Mike Clancy def. Ricki Starr for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 05-22 1972 Bill Watts def. Dale Lewis for the TSW North American Title
- 05-22 1985 The Nightmare [1st]/The Masked Champion/The Champion def. Terry Taylor for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 05-22 2009 Texas Outlaws, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk & Bobby Burns & J. W. Hardin) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
- 05-22 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
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- 05-23 2004 Se7en & Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 05-23 2004 Li'l Joe def. Bernie Donderwitz for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 05-23 2009 Maniac Mike def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 05-23 2009 Sage def. Rage Logan for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 05-23 2010 Damien Morte def. Crisstopher Crow for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 05-23 2015 Brad Michaels def. Jermaine Johnson for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 05-23 2020 Cody Burns def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 05-23 2021 Luke Savage def. Garcia for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 05-23 2021 Malik Mayfield became the ASP Livestream Champion
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