Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart Passes Away
Fightful is sad to report the passing of former WWF tag team champion Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. He was 63.
Neidhart began wrestling in the late 1970’s for Stampede Wrestling in Calgary. He joined the WWF in 1985 along with his brother-in-law Bret Hart. The two formed the Hart Foundation and went on to win tag team gold on two separate occasions. He left WWF in 1992 and went on to wrestle in WCW, NJPW, and ECW before returning to the worldwide leader in 1994 to corner Bret in his title match against Diesel at King of the Ring. He turned heel later in the night, aligning himself with Owen Hart
He was part of the Hart Foundation in 1997, teaming with Owen, Bret, Davey Boy Smith, and Brian Pillman in their feuds against Steve Austin and D-Generation X. He left WWF again shortly after the Montreal Screwjob, joining Bret for a short run in WCW.
He last appeared on WWE television at the Raw 15th Anniversary show. His last official match came in 2016 under the BCW banner. He regularly appeared on Total Divas, being the father of Natalya Neidhart. Prior to wrestling, he played professional football for the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders.
Neidhart is famous for his prowess as a tag team wrestler, his thick beard, and anvil-like strength.
RIP Anvil
TMZ has provided an update on the saddening passing of Stampede Wrestling Hall Of Famer Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. The site notes that they were told by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office in Florida that: “Preliminary information indicates that [Neidhart] fell at home, hit his head, and succumbed to his injury. No foul play suspected. No additional information to release at this time.”
According to the dispatch audio that is posted onto TMZ’s webpage, medical personnel was called around 6:30 AM about a man suffering from seizures and convulsions.
