Junkyard Dog

Sylvester Ritter (December 13, 1952 – June 1, 1998) was an American professional wrestler and college football player, known by the ring name the Junkyard Dog (or JYD). He was best known for his time in Mid-South Wrestling, where he would serve as a world heavyweight champion, and the World Wrestling Federation. He was known for entering the ring with his trademark chain attached to a dog collar, headlining cards that drew large crowds and regularly sold out the Louisiana Superdome and other major venues. WWE author Brian Shields called him one of the most electrifying and charismatic wrestlers in the country, particularly during his peak in the early 1980s. JYD was also known for his upper body strength, which saw him regularly bodyslam large wrestlers. The word "thump," which referred to JYD's powerslam, was prominently displayed on his wrestling trunks. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004.