10 Best African American Wrestlers In Wrestling History

2. The Junkyard Dog

Sylvester Ritter was a competitor that wrestled in a variety of places in the late 1970s, including Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling, but it was as The Junkyard Dog that he became one of the most beloved performers of his era. While JYD wasn't a top notch technician, his overwhelming charisma far surpassed his limited in ring skills. Quite simply, JYD had an it factor that endeared him to fans in the Mid South territory and then later the WWE. During the early 80s when Bill Watts' Mid South promotion was hitting it's peak, including record TV ratings that spanned multiple states and live gate records for wrestling at major venues like the Super Dome, it was The Junkyard Dog that was the center piece of the territory. In many respects, JYD was the first black top babyface of a major promotion and he proved that fans from all backgrounds would support a black star. It's somewhat difficult to put into context just how over JYD was with the fans during the prime of his career, but one example was during his feud with the Fabulous Free Birds, there were a few instances when fans would jump the guard rail in an attempt to help their fallen hero. After drawing record crowds for Watts, Ritter would sign with the WWE and his popularity expanded to a national stage. Many fans identified with The Junkyard Dog because of his genuine character and in many respects, he was a pioneer for the African American wrestlers that followed him. Sadly, Sylvester Ritter passed away in an auto accident in 1998, but he was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2004 and his legacy won't be forgotten.