From left to right: Brian Pillman, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, and “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith. Sadly, all four men in this photo are no longer here. Jim Neidhart with the last incarnation of The Hart Foundation (1997). The group itself had great success, but its primary focus was Bret Hart’s ongoing feuds with the likes of Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels (and America in general for that matter). Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart returned to the WWF in 1997 and once again was paired with his Hart brethren, when he joined the heel stable, The Hart Foundation. Return to the WWF during the Attitude-era Allegedly Jim missed some events and Owen ended up partnering with Yokozuna to win the titles. Neidhart did very little in ways of his singles career, but rumor has it that the original plans were for Neidhart and Owen Hart to team together again and win the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 11. He made his return to WWE in 1994, immediately assisting Bret Hart upon his arrival. Jim bounced around a few different organizations after leaving WWE – including New Japan, WCW, and ECW. Neidhart would briefly tag with Owen Hart, creating The New Foundation, but very little traction was gained with this run and Neidhart left the company in 1992. They were broken up in 1991, due mainly to creative wanting to give Bret Hart a singles push. The duo won two tag team championships and are considered one of the greatest teams to ever wrestle for WWE. The Hart Foundation debuted at WrestleMania 2 – nearly winning a 20 man battle royal – and they never looked back. This was the creation of the tag team, The Hart Foundation, a team that went on to great success. In 1985, Stu Hart sold Stampede Wrestling to Vince McMahon, and as part of the deal, Bret, Owen, Davey Boy Smith, and Neidhart would all go to work for WWE.īret and Jim began working a feud against each other for their first few weeks with the WWE (then “WWF”), but Bret was upset with a “cowboy” gimmick that was assigned to him, so he requested to be partnered with Neidhart. He won his event, which was an anvil throwing contest – thus earning his nickname “The Anvil”. There was an event at the Calgary Stampede around this time that Neidhart entered into as an attempt to receive some publicity. It was during this time that Jim met his wife, Ellie Hart, one of Stu and Helen’s daughters. Neidhart began his wrestling career with Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling, working there from 1978-1985. He was ultimately unable to latch on with an NFL roster long term, though, so Neidhart turned his attention to professional wrestling. In high school he was very successful in strength-oriented events in track and field and nearly landed on an NFL roster, having gone through training camps and preseason games with both the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders. Jim Neidhart was a standout athlete in his early years. Owen Hart certainly has the same kind of praise, albeit with less wrestling accolades than his older brother, Bret.Ī young Jim Neidhart with tag partner, Bret Hart. We all know the story with Bret Hart, long regarded as one of the best and most successful wrestlers of not only his era, but of all time. Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Owen Hart are of course direct descendants of Stu and Helen Hart, while both The British Bulldog and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart married into the family. The four interacted in wrestling storylines for the better part of their careers. The Hart family themselves certainly were no slouches. In addition to his own offspring, Stu trained such prolific performers as Chris Benoit, Edge, Christian, and Chris Jericho – just to name a few. It all started with Stu Hart, the patriarch, who personally trained this successful family in the legendary “dungeon” in Calgary. If you are fan of professional wrestling, you are very familiar with this family as they are like royalty when it comes sports entertainment. WWE extends its condolences to Neidhart’s family, friends and fans.”Īnvil’s former tag partner Bret Hart Tweeted the following: WWE issued a statement, noting “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. Neidhart was living in Wesley Chapel, Florida – part of the Tampa Bay Area metro. No additional information to release at this time.” The Pasco, Florida Sheriff’s Office stated “preliminary information indicates that fell at home, hit his head, and succumbed to his injury. photo: wwe.com 1955-2018 (Age 63)Īugust 13, 2018: WWE has confirmed the death of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart.
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