Full Name Sylvester Ritter
Born December 13, 1952
Height 6'3"
Nationality USA
Early life and Origin:
Before coming to professional wrestling, Junkyard Dog played football at the Fayetteville State University, earning mention in the All-American team twice. He started his career in wrestling working under Jerry Jarrett and then Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling before coming to NWA Mid South Wrestling where he got the name Junkyard Dog in 1980. While there, he was involved in feuds with Ted Dibiase, King Kong Bundy and others for 4 years before coming to the WWE, then known as WWF
Life in WWE:
Junkyard Dog was a huge face in WWE but was a mid card wrestler at best. He was best known for his chain and dog collar, his entry music of Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust and his trademark bodyslam, known as ‘thump’ which he used against the likes of One Man Gang, King Kong Bundy and Kamala.
He was also known for interacting with young people in the audience and often calling them to the ring to dance with him after matches. Junkyard Dog won the Wrestling Classic tournament by defeating legend Randy Savage by count out. He left WWE in 1988.
After WWE:
After the chapter of WWE was closed, Junkyard Dog went to NWA World Championship Wrestling where he stayed till 1993. Here, he notably defeated the Undertaken when he was yet to become the Dead Man and was wrestling as Mean Mark Callous, in a record 39 seconds in 1990. Junkyard Dog passed away in a car accident in 1988 while returning from his daughter’s graduation.
