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.