Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart Passes Away At Age 63

Sad news just broke and another one of our childhood heroes has left us too soon, professional wrestling legend Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, who is best known as one half of one of the greatest tag teams of all-time The Hart Foundation with his brother-in-law Bret “The Hitman” Hart. The technical expertise of Bret Hart and the charismatic powerhouse that was Jim Neidhart were the perfect combination together, and the two won the WWF tag team championship twice, before Bret Hart became one of the most successful singles wrestlers of all-time. Jim Neidhart was one of everyone’s favorite wrestlers to mimic as a kid, he had the trademark long red goatee and unmistakable laugh, which fans worldwide would copy for Halloween or while wrestling with friends in the living room. Before becoming a professional wrestler, Jim Neidhart played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, and he was a noted strongman who earned his nickname by winning an anvil throwing contest. Jim Neidhart was trained in professional wrestling by the legendary Stu Hart in the infamous Hart Dungeon, he married Stu’s daughter Ellie, and was the father of current WWE superstar Natalya. While best known as a member of The Hart Foundation tag team, Jim Neidhart has several successful runs in both WWF and WCW, and his trademark look made many fans fall in love with wrestling. Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart was also a huge part of The Hart Foundation heel stable in the late 1990’s led by Bret Hart, with family members Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith as well as Brian Pillman, and it’s very sad to think that today only Bret Hart remains alive from that memorable run. Rest In Peace Jim Neidhart, you are part of wrestling history that will never be forgotten, thank you for the memories.