#6 Junk Yard Dog
Sylvester Ritter became the Junk Yard Dog when he worked for promoter "Cowboy" Bill Watts. He quickly worked his way to the top of the card as the top babyface.
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JYD's charm and powerful build drew the attention of Vince McMahon and his wrestling empire. Prominently featured during the Rock N Wrestling era, JYD had action figures made in his image, and even went so far as to be on a Saturday morning cartoon -- back before the PTC ruined it for everyone.
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The Wadesboro North Carolina native--or as he liked to call it, "North Chackalacka,"-- utilised the powerslam as his finisher, calling it the Thump! (exclamation mark included.) In fact, most of his tights were emblazoned with it across the rear.
When JYD joined the then-WWF in the early eighties, he was pushed to the upper card. He even won the Wrestling Classic, an elimination style tournament that many call the 'first WWF pay per view.' Though he would never hold a title in the federation, his run is synonymous with the Hogan era.
JYD made the jump to WCW in the early 90s, though his run was less than memorable. He did face Nature Boy Ric Flair for the NWA world title at Clash of the Champions 11.
Legacy
Ritter has an important place in history, blazing the trails for other people of colour, particulary in the south. He was also one of very few African American characters on children's television during the 1980s. No matter who you speak to in the wrestling business, if you mention Junkyard Dog, they will probably have a smile on their face.
Junk Yard Dog was taken too soon by an automobile accident, but we'd rather concentrate on his life than his death. Here's the debut of JYD in the WWE, at the old Kiel Auditorium in the Professional Wrestling capital of the world, St. Louis Missouri.
