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Grappling With Tragedy: The Junkyard Dog

Grappling With Tragedy: The Junkyard Dog

Posted: Mar 25th 2026 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.com

Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.

The Junkyard Dog

Sylvester Ritter aka ‘The Junkyard Dog’ is probably remembered by most fans for his stint with the World Wrestling Federation during the entire Rock N Wrestling era. The truth is, while his time in the WWF perhaps gave him the most national exposure…it was his time in the Mid South territory where JYD was the bigger star. The Junkyard Dog was in fact a superstar in the territory, putting thousands upon thousands of fans into the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Before Hulkamania took off to national prominence, JYD was arguably pro wrestling’s hottest star. His career in Mid South was covered here. The Dog had an above average career in the WWF that included doing commercials, singing on records and co starring on a Saturday morning cartoon show. All of that was great, but JYD battled some drug issues during that period of time and was eventually fired for it.

The Junkyard Dog would join WCW and after an unmemorable run there, wrestled for ECW and various indie groups. By the mid 1990’s, Sylvester Ritter found it impossible to find a promotion willing to take him on full time. Ritter focused on working for his family’s Repo business where he repossessed people’s vehicles.

In June of 1998, Ritter wanted to surprise his daughter LaToya by driving to witness her high school graduation. Unfortunately, he arrived late and missed the ceremony. His daughter had already left and went to the beach with her friends. On June 1st, Ritter began his journey home to North Carolina…when he was involved in a single car crash in Mississippi. Ritter’s vehicle flipped three times, killing him instantly. Sylvester ‘Junkyard Dog’ Ritter was just 45 years old at the time of his death.

Sylvester Ritter ended up dying penniless and was reportedly buried in a T shirt. Dave Meltzer reported that only one wrestler showed up to JYD’s funeral….his good friend Buddy Landel. The Funk family sent flowers.

Unfortunately, the Ritter family was not through with sudden tragedy. On October 19, 2011, JYD’s daughter Latoya was on the phone with a friend when she suddenly collapsed and died. The cause of her death was never disclosed. Latoya Akisha Ritter was just 31 years old.

 

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Spotlight in History

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  • 2003 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2008 Kevin Morgan became the OECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2014 Spike became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Antonio Vega for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 2019 Murder Squirrel became the BPW 365 Champion
  • 2019 Karnage def. Murder Squirrel for the BPW 365 Title
  • 2024 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 2025 Drake Gallows def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 2025 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title

Week of Sun 07-26 to Sat: 08-01

  • 07-26 1968 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-26 2020 Thorne the Hunter def. Dexter Hardaway for the ASP 5-Star Title
  • 07-26 2024 Will Chambers def. Colton Kinnamon for the UWO Dojo Division Title
  • 07-26 2025 Clover Botello def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 07-26 2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-26 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-27 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 07-27 2003 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 07-27 2008 Kevin Morgan became the OECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-27 2014 Spike became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 07-27 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Antonio Vega for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 07-27 2019 Murder Squirrel became the BPW 365 Champion
  • 07-27 2019 Karnage def. Murder Squirrel for the BPW 365 Title
  • 07-27 2024 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 07-27 2025 Drake Gallows def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 07-27 2025 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 07-27 2025 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
  • 07-28 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 07-28 2007 Shane Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 07-28 2007 Montego Seeka def. Eric Rose for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 07-28 2007 D Money def. Al Farat for the UWF06 Heavyweight Title
  • 07-28 2017 Dean Lambert def. Father Padge for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 07-28 2017 Gemini [2nd] def. Korvin Sage for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 07-28 2017 Phoebe def. Killista for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 07-28 2017 C. J. Ward def. Prince Mahalli for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 07-28 2024 Brandon Barricade def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 07-28 2024 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 07-28 2024 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 07-28 2024 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
  • 07-29 1974 Arman Hussein def. Bull Ramos for the TSW North American Title
  • 07-29 1978 Ernie Ladd became the TSW North American Champion
  • 07-29 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-29 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 07-29 2000 Northern Threat (Luc Lapointe & Jean Paul) became the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 07-29 2003 Payton Scott & Ty Magnus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-29 2003 Angel Williams & Brandon Bishop def. Payton Scott & Ty Magnus for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-29 2005 Chiquita Suzuki def. Leather for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 07-29 2005 Anthony Jackson became the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-29 2005 Romero Contreras became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-29 2017 Erica def. Robyn Reid for the IZW Womens Title
  • 07-29 2017 Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-29 2017 Brandon Groom became the BPPW Oklahoma Champion
  • 07-30 2016 The Initiative (Clint Cassidy & Abel) def. Jon Cross for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 07-30 2022 N'Zane def. Tego for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 07-31 1959 Mickey Sharpe & The Black Panther def. Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 07-31 1964 Karl Kox def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-31 1987 Tony Atlas def. Abdullah the Butcher for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-31 1999 The Millenium Warriors (Red Eagle & Thunderwolf) def. The Casualties of War (AWOL & Shrapnel) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-31 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 07-31 2011 3rd Rail became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-31 2015 Brock Landers became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 07-31 2021 Rob Cabella became the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 07-31 2021 Brawler Morrison became the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 07-31 2021 Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 07-31 2021 Sam Stackhouse def. Cody Burns for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 08-01 1979 Angelo Mosca def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
  • 08-01 1980 Kerry Von Erich & Sweet Brown Sugar def. Stan Stasiak & Tim Brooks for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 08-01 1980 El Halcon def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 08-01 2009 Running Wolf became the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 08-01 2009 Blue Thunder & The Unknown became the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 08-01 2009 Drake Gallows def. Chris Chaos for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
07-27
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  • Eric Rose Jul 27th Today!
  • Johnny Idol Jul 27th Today!
  • Jack Van Bebber Jul 27th Today!
  • Matt Borne Jul 27th Today!
  • Nova Phoenix Jul 27th Today!
  • Herb Calvert Jul 28th
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  • Brixton Barricade Jul 28th
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  • Tim Woods Jul 28th
  • Dan Webber Jul 29th
  • Billy Starr Jul 29th
  • Antonio Vega Jul 29th
  • Betty Boucher Jul 29th
  • Ace Archuleta Jul 29th
  • Boss Campbell Jul 29th
  • Bobby Whitlock Jul 29th
  • Scott Steiner Jul 29th
  • Oliver John Jul 29th
  • Derek James Jul 30th
  • Kid Kash Jul 31st
  • Wayne Black Jul 31st
  • Trey Bearhill Jul 31st
  • Floyd Maystorm Jul 31st
  • Eric the Red Aug 1st
  • Jimmy Golden Aug 1st
  • Dale Robinson Aug 1st
  • Everett Rattan Aug 1st
  • Joel Deaton Aug 1st
  • Capt. Rowdy Aug 2nd
  • Jack Vaughn Aug 2nd
  • Amanda Barricade Aug 2nd
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  • Gorgeous George, Jr. Aug 2nd
  • Ronnie Morton Aug 3rd
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  • Bull Ramos Aug 3rd
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