They made their pay-per-view debut at WrestleMania 2, where they were the last two eliminated from a 20-man battle royal by André the Giant. The new team was dubbed The Hart Foundation and was managed by Jimmy Hart (no relation to Bret). Bret, upset with his gimmick, suggested to McMahon that he form a tag team with Neidhart. He wrestled Hart, who had a cowboy gimmick, to a draw twice. Fuji, Neidhart debuted on January 21, 1985, in Madison Square Garden, defeating Tony Garea. Initially a singles wrestler, managed by Mr. When Stu Hart sold Stampede Wrestling to Vince McMahon, owner of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Neidhart and Bret Hart were included in the deal. The " Hart Foundation" Neidhart (back) and Bret Hart (front), c. In January 1985, he left Florida to join the World Wrestling Federation. In August 1984, he moved to Championship Wrestling from Florida, winning the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship and NWA United States Tag Team Championship. From April to August 1984, Neidhart worked for the Continental Wrestling Association. In March 1984, he made a third tour of Japan with NJPW. From September 1983 to February 1984, he worked for Mid-South Wrestling, where he and Butch Reed held the Mid-South Tag Team Championship for two and a half months. Neidhart teamed twice with King Kong Bundy for Georgia Championship Wrestling in November 1983. In January 1983, he made a second tour with NJPW, competing in its New Year Golden Series. From April to May 1982, Neidhart wrestled in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on its Big Fight Series tour as part of Stampede Wrestling's working relationship with NJPW. In September 1981, Neidhart appeared in Germany with the Catch Wrestling Association, taking part in the World Catch Cup. This earned him the nickname "The Anvil", replacing his prior nickname, "The Animal". Stu Hart, seeking publicity for Neidhart, promised him $500 to enter and win an anvil toss at the Calgary Stampede. He was a two-time Stampede International Tag Team Champion, with Hercules Ayala in 1980 and Mr. He worked for Hart's Stampede Wrestling from 1978 to 1983, and again in 1985, during which time he married Ellie Hart, one of Stu's daughters. Professional wrestling career Early career (1978–1985) įollowing his release from the Dallas Cowboys, Neidhart traveled to Calgary to train with Stu Hart and pursue a career in professional wrestling. After graduating from high school, Neidhart pursued a career in the National Football League (NFL), where he played for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys in practices and preseason games. He set a California high school record in shot put in 1973 which stood until 1985. He was part of the Hart wrestling family through marriage to his wife Ellie Hart, teaming with various members throughout his career, and appearing with his daughter Natalya Neidhart on the reality television show Total Divas.Īt Newport Harbor High School, Neidhart first gained athletic acclaim for his success in strength-oriented track and field events. He also won titles in Stampede Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Mid-South Wrestling, Memphis Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation. Henry Neidhart (Febru– August 13, 2018) was an American professional wrestler known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation as Jim " The Anvil" Neidhart, where he was a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion with his real-life brother-in-law Bret Hart in The Hart Foundation. WWE is saddened to learn that Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart has passed away. Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart passed away on Monday, August 13. Rest in peace, Anvil, and thanks for everything you contributed to wrestling. He wasn’t Canadian, but being associated so closely with the Hart family, I think he’s an honorary citizen. Though Jim Neidhart never really reached the very top of any company he worked in, he’s easily one of the most memorable and recognizable figures in WWF/E history, and the Hart Foundation is still one of my favourite tag teams. Natalya is a seasoned veteran, in many ways more capable in the ring than her father was, and is poised for a top spot in a company that is finally starting to take women’s wrestling seriously. The Anvil was a pretty self-destructive guy in the later stages of his life, between drug problems and a number of arrests, but the redemption of his legacy in wrestling came with his daughter Natalya, who’s currently on the roster in WWE.
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