This Day in Wrestling History is remembering “The Anvil” Jim Neidhart, who passed away on August 13, 2018 at the age of 63.
Jim Neidhart was one half of one of the best tag teams in professional wrestling history as he teamed with his brother-in-law Bret Hart to form the Hart Foundation, and he was always a fun character to watch.
Sporting his pointed beard, he had the look of a super villain from the comics and he played it up with that awesome laugh of his.
Time in the dungeon
After playing professional football with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, Neidhart was trained in the Hart Dungeon by Stu Hart and he quickly built a bond with the other Hart family members.
Like Bret Hart, Davey Boy Smith, and the Dynamite Kid, Neidhart joined the WWE followed Vince McMahon’s purchase of Stu Hart’s Calgary Stampede Wrestling, but no money actually changed hands according to Bret in his book The Hitman.
From what Bret said, Stu didn’t raise a fuss because he didn’t want to endanger Bret and the other Hart family members’ jobs in the WWE.
While their jobs may have been in jeopardy if Stu made something out of it, there was little doubt the WWE had big plans for the Hart Foundation as they had “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart (no relation) manage them from the start.
As the powerhouse of the Hart Foundation, Neidhart would often swing the momentum of the match and set up their finisher, Hart Attack.
Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now. pic.twitter.com/fcO8Skuuhz
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) August 13, 2018
The memories
When Neidhart passed away, a big part of many of our childhoods went with him, but no one ever hurts as bad when someone passes as family, and Bret needed to take some time to process everything.
When he was ready, he shared his thoughts on his website, Brethart.com:
“I’m sorry for taking so long in making a statement about the recent passing of my longtime friend and companion Jim “Anvil” Neidhart. No loss has ever dimmed the light in my heart as this one. I loved Jim as more than a brother. He was a one-of-kind character. The most beautiful thing about Jim was how on the longest days and in the most miserable times, he could always make you laugh. He’ll always be the “ “‘Anvil’, the big rhino, the tank. He was the best friend I ever had and I owe him for everything good that ever came my way as a pro wrestler.
“Jim didn’t need me so much as I needed him. We had always been close friends from the first time we met in Stampede Wrestling. We never fought or argued about anything and we were always in agreement. Aside from being my loyal friend, tag team partner, and brother-in-law, I can say Jim helped me keep my sanity during our numerous dark and lonely times. He was such a hilarious friend. Thank you Jim for a lifetime of happy and great memories.
“Pro wrestling is a profession where trust and loyalty are everything. We were such a fun, fast, exciting, and formidable combination highlighting each other while always making our opponents. When it came to wrestling teams like Andre the Giant and Haku, the British Bulldogs, the Nasty Boys, Demolition, and The Rockers, the Hart Foundation could work with any team and have the best match on the card. We were both always very proud of all of our accomplishments as the Hart Foundation but we we were always most proud of our friendship.
“Someday but far enough away, I hope to have a joyous meeting with the many friends and loved ones gone before and, when I make that crossover, I pray God will lead me straight to the Anvil. Thank you Anvil, for I owe you everything.”
This Day in Wrestling History is about remembrance, and we’re grateful to Bret for sharing his thoughts and for all the memories Jim gave to us.
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