JYD holds the distinction of being the first WWE superstar to win a championship at WrestleMania, having defeated Greg Valentine for the Intercontinental Championship. Hes also the first person to win the match via technicality (count-out) and thus didnt actually win the championship itself. Though he wouldnt reach the top of WWE in the same way he did in other promotions, he still managed to stay incredibly popular during his WWE tenure. Tragically, JYD died on June 2nd, 1998, at age 45. But unlike many of his former co-workers, he died from a car accident that was caused by him allegedly falling asleep at the wheel. JYD was inducted into the WWE hall of Fame in 2004 by Ernie Ladd, with Dog's daughter accepted on his behalf.