Synopses & Reviews
New Orleans was once one of the hottest cities for pro wrestling because of one man Sylvester Ritter, better known as the Junkyard Dog. JYD became a legend in the Big Easy, drawing huge crowds to the Superdome, a feat no other wrestler ever came close to. In 1980, he managed to break one of the final colour barriers in the sport by becoming the first black wrestler to be made the undisputed top star of his promotion. This biography aims to restore JYD to his deserved place in the history books by looking at his famous feuds, the business backstories, and the life of the man outside the ring. The King of New Orleans recounts the story of how an area known for racial injustice became the home of wrestlings most adored African-American idol. A remarkable tale of a man still remembered on the streets of New Orleans and in the hearts of pro wrestling fans.
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
About the Author
Greg Kleinis an actor, a writer, a director, and a producer. He lives in New Orleans.