Former WWE star Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, best known for forming one of the the top tag teams in the 1980s with his brother-in-law Bret Hart, passed away on August 13, 2018. According to police reports, Neidhart fell at home, hit his head and succumbed to his injury. He was 63.
Born James Henry Neidhart on February 8, 1955, Neidhart initially gained athletic acclaim for his success in track and field events in high school. Between 1973 and 1985, he even held the California high school record in shot put. Following graduation, Neidhart pursued a career in the NFL, where he played in practices and preseason games for both the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. After expressing interest in wrestling, he trained under Stu Hart and worked for Hart’s Stampede Wrestling.
Alongside fellow wrestlers Hercules Ayala in 1980 and Mr. Hito in 1983, Neidhart earned the title of Stampede International Tag Team Champion. In an effort to promote Neidhart, Stu Hart promised him $500 if he entered and won the anvil toss at the Calgary Stampede. He did, throwing it over 10 feet and earning himself the nickname “The Anvil.” Neidhart went on to work the Big Fight Series tour and the New Year Golden Series with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He later partnered with Butch Reed and held the Mid-South Tag Team Championship for two and a half months.
In 1985, after joining WWF, Neidhart officially formed the tag team the Hart Foundation with Bret Hart. The Hart Foundation won their first WWF World Tag Team Championship in 1987, before earning the title a second time at SummerSlam ’90. Throughout his wrestling career, Neidhart was easily identifiable by his pink and black gear, maniacal laugh and goatee. In his later career, Neidhart formed a short-lived tag team with the British Bulldog, as well as appearing on WWE’s Raw XV and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Outside of wrestling, Neidhart also served as comic relief on the reality show Total Divas.
Neidhart married Ellie Hart and the pair had three daughters, one of whom is WWE professional wrestler and star of Total Divas, “Natalya.”
Since the announcement of his passing, tributes for Neidhart have been rolling in. WWE legend Triple H led the tributes, saying, “The only thing bigger than his on-screen character was his heart.”
His daughter said she “can’t put into words” how difficult it is to “say goodbye to my dad,” and thanked fans for their messages of support.
The only thing bigger than his on-screen character was his heart.
— Triple H (@TripleH) August 13, 2018
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart loved performing with & spending time with his family...and he made us all smile while doing it.
Thinking of @NatbyNature, @TJWilson, & the entire Hart family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ahWuWGXInv
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) August 13, 2018
