WWE Legend and father of Natalya, Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart, has passed away at the age of 63. Cauliflower Alley Club President Brian Blair first announced the sad news on Twitter:
So sad to announce the passing of my friend and longtime colleague, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Your thoughts and prayers for the family are deeply appreciated! @CACReunion @JimValley @allan_cheapshot @mattfarmer93 @WrestlingIWF @davemeltzerWON @SlamSports @jumpinjbrunzell
— B Brian Blair 🇺🇸 (@Killerbee1B) August 13, 2018
WWE posted the following statement on The Anvil’s passing:
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart passed away.
Best known as the powerhouse of the legendary Hart Foundation tag team with his brother-in-law, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Jim Neidhart was also the father of current WWE Superstar Natalya.
Neidhart began his ring career after playing professional football with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He was trained by WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart in the infamous Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and earned his ring nickname, The Anvil, after winning an anvil throwing contest.
Neidhart married Stu’s daughter, Ellie, to become a member of the legendary Hart Family before making the move to WWE along with Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith when WWE purchased Stu Hart’s Calgary Stampede Wrestling.
Initially, Neidhart and Hart were managed by Jimmy Hart as The Hart Foundation and went on to win two WWE World Tag Team Championships.
After several years of teaming with Bret’s younger brother, Owen Hart, and some singles competition, The Hart Foundation was re-formed in controversial fashion in 1997. Consisting of Neidhart, Bret, Owen, Smith and Brian Pillman, the pro-Canadian faction stirred United States crowds into a frenzy with their anti-American sermons.
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.
The Hart Foundation has perhaps suffered more tragedy than any other family in the history of the wrestling business. Of the former legendary wrestling faction, only Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart himself still survives, as the others – Davey Boy Smith, Owen Hart, Brian Pillman – were all taken too soon. At 63 years old, even without any untoward cause of death, The Anvil could definitely be considered taken too soon as well. WrestleNewz sends its condolences to the Hart and Neidhart families at this time.
The world of wrestling took to social media to offer their sentiments and sympathies and you can see some of those below:
Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now. pic.twitter.com/fcO8Skuuhz
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/mauroranallo/status/1029020516101672965
ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS JIM NEIDHART. WE TRAVEL TOGETHER I LOVE HIM FOREVER LIKE A BROTHER. GOD BLESS FAMILY I NEVER FORGET YOU BUBBA. pic.twitter.com/lt1dE8QOvt
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/real_steamboat/status/1029019893457448960
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
https://twitter.com/EBischoff/status/1029024319186190336
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
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) August 13, 2018
Saddened To Hear Jim Neidhart Has Passed. My Prayers Are With His Families. Guess God Needed An “Anvil” Angel RIP Jim🙏🏻
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) August 13, 2018
Devastating news Jim Neidhart my friend has passed away!! I can hardly believe it. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again !!!
— Brutus Beefcake (@brutusbeefcake_) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/OfficialTAZ/status/1029024363893415937
Jim Neidhart was a great athlete
He was the power & strength of
The Hart Foundation
I loved their finishing maneuver
Celebrate his life
Watch his matches today
My heart hurts for his daughters, wife & @TJWilson
There is only one#Anvil pic.twitter.com/pFvfDHtN8S— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/WWESheamus/status/1029025610688028672
RIP The Anvil https://t.co/mMwOW2smus
— Brian Myers (@Myers_Wrestling) 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
I've worked with hundreds in the wrestling business. Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart was no doubt one of the most underrated of all time. Great wrestler, great entertainer, phenomenal human being. Thank you for all you did for us. pic.twitter.com/D8pU9WXJLU
— Vince Russo (@THEVinceRusso) August 13, 2018
RIP Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart pic.twitter.com/IBfWfuw8lj
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/OfficialHTM/status/1029030158999543808
https://twitter.com/MaryseMizanin/status/1029028688938053639
If you couldn't like Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart your the one with the problem. You didn't to always agree with him but if this guy would give the shirt off his back. He was a tremendous athlete. Track and… https://t.co/M26hWaX4vc
— Gene Okerlund (@TheGeneOkerlund) August 13, 2018
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