Telling the remarkable tale of a man who is still remembered on the streets of New Orleans and in the hearts of professional-wrestling fans, this book aims to restore the overlooked Junkyard Dog to his proper place in the history books. In 1979, Sylvester Ritter, also known as the Junkyard Dog, managed to break one of the final color barriers in the sport by becoming the first black wrestler named undisputed top star of his promotion, and this biography reveals all the famous feuds and business back stories that made him a wrestling legend. By 1985, New Orleans was one of the hottest cities in the Mid-South for pro wrestling due in large part to the Junkyard Dog; he became a legend in the Big Easy, drawing sellout crowds to the Downtown Municipal Auditorium and huge crowds to the Superdome, a feat unparalleled by any other wrestler. The King of New Orleans delves into wrestling’s recent past and recounts how a region known for racial injustice became the home of the sport’s first black idol.

Greg Klein's profile page

Greg Klein is an actor, a writer, a director, and a producer. He lives in New Orleans.

"The fascinating tale of how the Deep South—a hotbed of racial intolerance—became the home of wrestling's most adored African-American idol in the '80s...[the book] is remarkable in its own right—a compelling and long-overdue tale of a man who deserves to be remembered as a pioneer and inspiration to many." —slam.canoe.ca

"For wrestling fans, The King of New Orleans is an easy book to recommend. In covering Junkyard Dog's five-year run as the major draw of a fondly-remembered territory, Klein documents the Dog's various feuds against The Freebirds, Ted Dibiase, Butch Reed, and others with a historian's precision." —www.HeavyFeatherReview.com

"Pro wrestling fans will not be disappointed with this quick read and will be in for quite an unsuspecting treat and history lesson. Klein has ensured that future generations will not let this barrier-breaking, 'thump' dropping, larger-than-life superstar become a forgotten hero." —www.nerdrevolution.com

"The text gives just enough insight into the twisted fugue state of professional wrestling without indulging in the sort of scathing indictment with which Chris Hedges has lambasted the industry....The book makes for a smooth read, start to finish." —www.MyNewOrleans.com

"If you know of JYD, it's a fine book. If you never knew the Dog, it is a great story from start to finish." —www.f4wonline.com