The Junkyard Dog: A 1980s Icon Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. After a failed professional football career the man who would become known as The Junkyard Dog decided to try his hand at wrestling. What was his real name?

Answer: Sylvester Ritter

After a standout collegiate football career Sylvester Ritter was selected by The Green Bay Packers and was to embark on a professional career. This was not meant to be as a knee and back injury ended his career. He then turned to his alternative plan and became a professional wrestler and the rest is history.

2. The Junkyard Dog was trained to be a wrestler by one the fiercest and most punishing of all wrestling trainers. Who was his trainer?

Answer: Stu Hart

The Junyard Dog or "JYD" as he was referred to by his fans and fellow wrestlers was trained in the legendary "Dungeon" by the brutal and often sadistic Stu Hart. Although a tough and talented grappler Hart delighted in inflicting pain upon his students to test the resolve.

After completing the training Sylvester Ritter began wrestling in Hart's Stampede promotion as "Big Daddy Ritter" in the late 1970s.

3. Sylvester Ritter eventually ended up working for the legendary Bill Watts and his famed Mid South territory. Watts dubbed him The Junkyard Dog and soon his popularity was enormous. What was his very first entrance song?

Answer: "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce

Upon entering Bill Watts promotion "JYD" was not only taken under the wing of Watts but also the late, great Ernie Ladd. Within a brief period of time the duo of Ladd and Watts had created a genuine superstar and fans of the region made The Junkyard Dog their hero.

The Dog used the popular 1970s song "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce as his very first entrance song. In 1984 when he arrived in The WWF he used Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust" before singing his own tune in late 1985 called "Grab Them Cakes".

4. In 1980, The Junkyard Dog was temporarily blinded by an infamous heel group in what would became a red hot feud. Who were the villains that blinded "JYD"?

Answer: The Fabulous Freebirds

In one of the most successful angles ever Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes aka The Fabulous Freebirds blinded The Junkyard Dog. The villainous trio rubbed some of their infamous hair removal cream into his eyes which caused temporary blindess and "JYD" began wrestling with prescription goggles as his vision slowly cleared.

This feud was really intense as The Dog's popularity was insane at the time and many fans tried to physically assault The Freebirds before and after matches. According to Michael Hayes his tires were slashed more times then he could care to remember.

5. In early 1984 The Junkyard Dog had a short stint in WCCW where he appeared at the very first "Parade of Champions" at Texas Stadium. Who was his opponent?

Answer: The Missing Link

In early 1984 "JYD" went to WCCW where he also became very popular with their fans as well. In addition to resuming his longtime feud with Butch Reed he also battled the members of General Skandar Akbar's "Devastation Inc." On May 6, 1984 at "The Parade of Champions" JYD defeated The Missing Link by disqualification.

6. On November 7, 1985, the WWF presented their first pay per view event which was a 16 man elimination tournament called "The Wrestling Classic". The popular Junkyard Dog won the tournament. Which of the following was NOT one of his opponents that night?

Answer: King Kong Bundy

On the night of November 7, 1985, The Junkyard Dog wrestled three times and won the grueling 16 man tournament called "The Wrestling Classic". In the first round JYD defeated the infamous heel The Iron Sheik before defeating Moondog Spot in a rather comical bout.

The match was interesting because the assigned official never showed up, when The Dog covered Spot he simply slapped the mat three times and the decision stood. In the final match JYD triumphed over Randy Savage via count out to win the tourney.

Despite being a major heel King Kong Bundy was left out the tournament so as not to diminish his push when he did not win.

7. On April 7, 1986, at "Wrestlemania II", the legendary Funk Brothers, Terry and Hoss, fought The Junkyard Dog and a partner in a featured tag team match. Who was the partner of The Dog?

Answer: Tito Santana

In the fall of 1985 The Dog began a very lengthy and bloody feud with the infamous "Terrible" Terry Funk who was managed by Jimmy Hart. In early 1986 the rivalry intensified when Terry's older brother Dory aka Hoss arrived to assist him. At "Wrestlemania II" the Funks were able to best the combination of JYD and the fiery Tito Santana.

8. In the spring of 1988, The Junkyard Dog began what would be his final big feud in the WWF. What infamous Texan choked him on television with a bullwhip to start this war?

Answer: Ron Bass

In a televised segment the hated "Outlaw" Ron Bass choked The Dog and dragged him around the ring with his infamous bullwhip called "Ms Betsy". The two faced off in a brief feud which saw the men split most of the decisions. That fall when his contract was up, The Dog, upset at not having won a championship in four years with the WWF, went to the NWA.

9. On June 13, 1990, at "The Clash of Champions XI: Coastal Crush", The Junkyard Dog fought WCW Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair in the main event. How did the match end?

Answer: Flair was disqualified

In what was arguably the biggest match of his entire career The JYD was able to defeat the great Ric Flair via disqualification on June 13, 1990. Flair was disqualified when his "Four Horsemen" counterparts including Ole and Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Sid Vicious interfered in the match. To aid JYD several face wrestlers including The Steiner Brothers and Paul Orndorff came to the ring. JYD would continue to appear in WCW until the summer of 1992 when he began working the independent circuit.

10. On the night of June 2, 1998, Sylvester Ritter died tragically at the age of 45 just hours after attending his daughter's High School Commencement. How did this famed wrestler die?

Answer: Automobile accident

On his way home after attending his daughter, Latoya's High School Graduation, Sylvester Ritter died in a car accident when he fell asleep while driving. In 2004 he was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with Ernie Ladd doing the honors and his daughter Latoya accepting the award. Sadly, Latoya died of a brain seizure in October 2011 at the age of 31.

Source: Author jperrone

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

One of the most colorful and entertaining wrestlers during the decade of the 1980s was without a doubt The Junkyard Dog. This quiz will test your knowledge of one of my childhood heroes.

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