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 The man who would eventually become known as the Junk Yard Dog was born on December 13, 1953, in Wadesboro, North Carolina. He played football & wrestled in high school and was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1975 after graduating from Fayetville State University, but was cut after blowing out his knee. He tried out of the Packers and held a few odd jobs until he began his wrestling career in the IWA in 1977. After stints in Memphis & Germany, he began working in Calgary for Stu Hart and spent much of 1978 working against Bret Hart, Jake Roberts, and Tommy Billington. After awhile he & Roberts traveled to Louisiana to work for Bill Watts. It was Watts who came up with the name Junk Yard Dog for Ritter. There he did a still famous angle with Michael Hayes (Michael Seitz) when it was alleged that Hayes blinded him, and the audience believed it, to the point where one fan actually pulled a gun on Hayes mid-match. He also worked with Paul Orndorff and Ted DiBiase. In his personal life, the Dog was known to be a giving, kind man, but his divorce led him into heavy cocaine use. His drawing power was fading in New Orleans, but the WWF, led by Vince McMahon soon scooped him up. He was popular, and had a match with Harley Race at WrestleMania III (1987) that drew well, but he was gaining too much weight and was eventually released. He turned up in WCW and ECW in the early 90s briefly, but was considered a has-been. He died in a car accident on June 2nd, 1998. He was 45.
Bio:
The man who would eventually become known as the Junk Yard Dog was born on December 13, 1953, in Wadesboro, North Carolina. He played football & wrestled in high school and was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1975 after graduating from Fayetville State University, but was cut after blowing out his knee. He tried out of the Packers and held a few odd jobs until he began his wrestling career in the IWA in 1977. After stints in Memphis & Germany, he began working in Calgary for Stu Hart and spent much of 1978 working against Bret Hart, Jake Roberts, and Tommy Billington. After awhile he & Roberts traveled to Louisiana to work for Bill Watts. It was Watts who came up with the name Junk Yard Dog for Ritter. There he did a still famous angle with Michael Hayes (Michael Seitz) when it was alleged that Hayes blinded him, and the audience believed it, to the point where one fan actually pulled a gun on Hayes mid-match. He also worked with Paul Orndorff and Ted DiBiase. In his personal life, the Dog was known to be a giving, kind man, but his divorce led him into heavy cocaine use. His drawing power was fading in New Orleans, but the WWF, led by Vince McMahon soon scooped him up. He was popular, and had a match with Harley Race at WrestleMania III (1987) that drew well, but he was gaining too much weight and was eventually released. He turned up in WCW and ECW in the early 90s briefly, but was considered a has-been. He died in a car accident on June 2nd, 1998. He was 45.
Tivia:
Was killed in a car crash after attending his daughter's high school graduation.Sang a track on the WWF's Wrestling Album (1985) titled 'Grab Them Cakes', which also became his theme song.In May 1998 at ECW Wrestlepalooza, JYD made an appearance along with Bob Armstrong, Dick Slater and Masked Superstar. Junk Yard Dog was honored as a "hardcore legend," and got the biggest pop of the night, to the thunderous cheers of "JYD! JYD!".Oklahoma-based promoter Cowboy Bill Watts gave Ritter the name (and gimmick), The Junk Yard Dog.Professional wrestler.Former ECW World Champion.Posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in March 2004.In 1977, Ritter debuted in the wrestling business for promoter Jerry Jarrett.Ritter was a 2-time honorable mention All-American on the gridiron at North Carolina's Fayetteville State University.Before he sang his own entrance theme song ("Grab Them Cakes"), his original intro song was "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen.Since leaving WWE and being as a legend, JYD is probably the best known legend to never win a championship in the WWE. Other legends such as 'George Steele' have also never won a championship.In August 1979, Ritter reclaimed the North American title from Jake Roberts in Calgary, Alberta.His tombstone reads "Sylvester Ritter, Better Known as Junkyard Dog".In 1978, Ritter wrestled for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary.He was best man at Ted Dibiase's wedding. |
| Name: |
Sylvester Ritter |
Type: |
Actor,Soundtrack (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Soundtrack |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Soundtrack |
| Last update: |
2024-07-02 04:21:23 |
| Height: |
6' 3' (1.91 m) |
| Biography: |
The man who would eventually become known as the Junk Yard Dog was born on December 13, 1953, in Wadesboro, North Carolina. He played football & wrestled in high school and was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1975 after graduating from Fayetville St |
| Trivia: |
Was killed in a car crash after attending his daughter's high school graduation.Sang a track on the WWF's Wrestling Album (1985) titled 'Grab Them Cakes', which also became his theme song.In May 1998 at ECW Wrestlepalooza, JYD made an appearance along with Bob Armstrong, Dick Slater and Masked Superstar. Junk Yard Dog was honored as a "hardcore legend," and got the biggest pop of the night, to the thunderous cheers of "JYD! JYD!".Oklahoma-based promoter Cowboy Bill Watts gave Ritter the name (and gimmick), The Junk Yard Dog.Professional wrestler.Former ECW World Champion.Posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in March 2004.In 1977, Ritter debuted in the wrestling business for promoter Jerry Jarrett.Ritter was a 2-time honorable mention All-American on the gridiron at North Carolina's Fayetteville State University.Before he sang his own entrance theme song ("Grab Them Cakes"), his original intro song was "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen.Since leaving WWE and being as a legend, JYD is probably the best known legend to never win a championship in the WWE. Other legends such as 'George Steele' have also never won a championship.In August 1979, Ritter reclaimed the North American title from Jake Roberts in Calgary, Alberta.His tombstone reads "Sylvester Ritter, Better Known as Junkyard Dog".In 1978, Ritter wrestled for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary.He was best man at Ted Dibiase's wedding. |
| Trademarks: |
Dancing with fans in the ring after his matches
Wrestling finishing move "The Thump"
Carried a long chain around his neck
His signature power-slam finishing move |
| Quotes: |
I'm sure enough in living color! |
| Job title: |
Actor,Soundtrack |
| Others works: |
Performed his own theme music, "Grab Them Cakes" |
| Spouse: |
Diane (divorced, 2 children) |
|
