Jim Neidhart (Right) (Picture: WWE)
Former WWE (then WWF) tag-team champion Jim Neidhart has died aged 63.
Neidhart, father of current WWE star Natalya, was one of WWE’s most popular wrestlers in the late 1980s, and was a frequent tag partner of Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart.
The duo, known as the Hart Foundation, twice won the WWE tag-team championships, and established a reputation as a fan-friendly team.
Born James Henry Neidhart in 1955, Jim made his wrestling debut in 1979 after training in the legendary Hart Dungeon under Stu Hart.
A promising athlete, Neidhart held the California high school shot put record for over a decade, before switching to wrestling.
After marrying Ellie Hart, Neidhart became an official member of the Hart family, eventually tagging with brother-in-law Bret, and eventually Owen Hart in the mid 1990s.
He gained his ‘anvil’ nickname after winning an anvil toss competition in Calgary, and competed all over the world in the early 80s alongside the likes of King Kong Bundy and Butch Reed.
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While Neidhart was a successful tag-team star, singles success frequently eluded him despite appearances in WCW and ECW, and his wrestling career began to cool down by the end of the nineties.
In March 2012 he was sentenced to six months in jail after a number of offences, and he twice went through WWE paid rehab.
High profile names from the world of wrestling paid tribute to Neidhart following the news, which comes after the high-profile deaths of former WWE stars Brian Christopher and Nikolai Volkoff last month.
My Good Friend Jim Neidhart, A World Class Athlete And A Man Among Men. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/JSmdpZ9YZ1 — Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 13, 2018
The only thing bigger than his on-screen character was his heart.
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 — Triple H (@TripleH) August 13, 2018
Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now. pic.twitter.com/fcO8Skuuhz — Bret Hart (@BretHart) August 13, 2018
Wow…so shocked and saddened at the passing of Jim Neidhart. Such a great talent and the engine of the Hart Foundation. Sending so much love to @NatbyNature @TJWilson and the Neidhart family ….an incredible loss — RosenbergTelevision (@Rosenbergradio) August 13, 2018
It is terrible I just heard Jim Neidhart passed away. I just pray for his family to get through this.Jim was a great friend and I will really miss him. — Demolition Smash (@RealDemoSmash) August 13, 2018
rest in peace to the Anvil, Jim Neidhart https://t.co/S6ehP3zN1k pic.twitter.com/u5Zmb9Vhfn — Brandon Stroud (@MrBrandonStroud) August 13, 2018
Neidhart is survived by his three daughters, Jennifer, Natalie and Kristen.
WWE legend Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart has passed away, aged 63.
Neidhart was best known for his role in the Hart Foundation tag team alongside his brother-in-law, Bret “Hit Man” Hart.
Neidhart began his ring career after playing professional football with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
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He was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart in the infamous Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Canada, and earned his ring nickname, “The Anvil”, after winning an anvil-throwing contest.
Bret posted on Twitter after hearing the news. He wrote: "Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now."
Neidhart last completed in WWE in 1997.
In a statement released following news of the American’s death, WWE said: “WWE extends its condolences to Neidhart’s family, friends and fans.”
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Former WWE Tag Team Champion Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart has died at the age of 63.
The legendary tag team star, real name James Neidhart, rose to fame alongside Bret 'The Hitman' Hart in The Hart Foundation.
The 6ft 2in, 281lb powerhouse, from Tampa, Florida, was trained by Bret's dad Stu Hart and married into the famous wrestling dynasty.
He and his wife Ellie Hart had three daughters, including current WWE superstar and two-time world champion Natalya, aka Natalie Neidhart.
(Image: WWE)
(Image: WWE)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Bret Hart's revealed his immediate reaction on Twitter: "Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now."
His death was first revealed by good friend Brian Blair - who often competed in the Killer Bees tag team against Neidhart and Bret Hart.
The Cauliflower Alley Club president said: "It is with a sad heart, that I share with you the passing of a long time friend and colleague, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.
"Your thoughts and prayers for the family are appreciated!"
Neidhart was born in 1955 and excelled in athletics at high school in Orange County, California, setting the California high school record in shot put in 1973.
He then pursued a football career, with tryouts and preseason games with the NFL's Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, but was never a main roster player.
Turning his attention to becoming a professional wrestler, the strongman went north to Calgary, Alberta, Canada and was trained by the legendary Stu Hart.
After starting out in Calgary's Stampede Wrestling, the agile big man wrestled across North America, earning championship titles in Florida and Memphis.
(Image: WWE)
However, it was in the then-WWF of 1985 that Neidhart gained great fame, creating one of the best tag teams of the decade alongside Bret Hart.
Managed by Jimmy 'Mouth of the South' Hart - not a relative of the iconic family - The Hart Foundation captured tag team gold on two occasions.
The Hart Foundation won their first tag titles in February 1987 on WWF Superstars from fellow Stampede alumni, The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid).
(Image: WWE)
They captured the gold for a second time at SummerSlam in August 1990, in a two out of three falls match against another great team, Demolition.
He was the father-in-law to Natalya's wife, retired WWE star Tyson Kidd, real name TJ Wilson, who is now a WWE producer.
In recent years, he was often seen on the E! reality show Total Divas alongside his wrestling daughter.
Neidhart, who had two other daughters, Jennifer and Kristen, was also the uncle of The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith's son Harry Smith.
(Image: © WWE)
In an official statement, WWE said it was saddened to hear of his death and described when The Hart Foundation was re-formed in controversial fashion in 1997.
Consisting of Neidhart, Bret, Smith, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman, the pro-Canadian faction then stirred United States crowds into a frenzy with their anti-American sermons.
WWE said: "Neidhart last competed in WWE in 1997 but his legacy lives on today through his daughter, Natalya, who displays her father’s signature charisma and toughness every time she steps in the ring.
"WWE extends its condolences to Neidhart’s family, friends and fans."
