James Henry "Jim" Neidhart (February 8, 1955 - August 13, 2018) was an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, where he was a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion with Bret Hart as The Hart Foundation. His powerhouse style, charismatic persona, and signature beard made him a standout performer during the 1980s and 1990s.
Best known as the explosive powerhouse of the legendary Hart Foundation, Jim Neidhart began his athletic career as a standout shot putter in high school. At Newport Harbor High School, Neidhart first gained athletic acclaim for his success in strength-oriented track and field events. He set a California high school record in shot put in 1973 which stood until 1985. The big man held the California state record in the event for more than a decade before turning his attention to the gridiron.
Before becoming a wrestling star, Neidhart was a competitive weightlifter and even tried out for the NFL. Following his release from the Dallas Cowboys, Neidhart traveled to Calgary to train with Stu Hart and pursue a career in professional wrestling. Training in the legendary Hart Dungeon with WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart, the mighty Neidhart learned how to put his athleticism and strength to good use in the ring.
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. He was a two-time Stampede International Tag Team Champion, with Hercules Ayala in 1980 and Mr. Hito in 1983. Stu Hart, seeking publicity for Neidhart, promised him $500 to enter and win an anvil toss at the Calgary Stampede. He did, throwing it 11 feet, 2 inches. Jim Neidhart got the name “Anvil” when he won an Anvil Tossing contest at the Calgary Stampede festival.
During the early 1980s, he competed throughout North America, primarily in Stu Hart's Calgary Stampede promotion, and developed a reputation as a dangerous man with a wild personality. From April to August 1984, Neidhart worked for the Continental Wrestling Association. 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.
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Neidhart would go on to marry Stu's daughter, Ellie, before making the move to WWE along with Bret "Hit Man" Hart, Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith when Mr. McMahon purchased Calgary Stampede. Initially a singles wrestler, managed by Mr. Fuji, Neidhart debuted on January 21, 1985, in Madison Square Garden, defeating Tony Garea. At this time, the foursome would split up into two tag teams - Bulldog and Dynamite becoming The British Bulldogs and Hart and Anvil becoming The Hart Foundation.
The Hart Foundation: Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart
The Hart Foundation Era
Jim Neidhart was initially brought in as a singles wrestler, managed by Mr. Fuji. The new team was dubbed the Hart Foundation and was managed by Jimmy Hart (no relation to Bret). The Hart Foundation won their first WWF World Tag Team Championship on the February 7, 1987, episode of WWF Superstars (taped January 26) from The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid), with the help of referee Danny Davis, who was continually "distracted" by checking on Dynamite, allowing the challengers to double-team Smith. Davis was subsequently fired as referee and began wrestling, aligned with The Hart Foundation.
The Hart Foundation wrestled in another 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania IV. In the fall of 1988, Jimmy Hart began managing the Rougeaus. The Hart Foundation unsuccessfully challenged Demolition (Ax and Smash) for the tag title at the 1988 SummerSlam, when Ax hit Hart with Jimmy Hart's megaphone for the pin (Hart accompanied Demolition's manager, Mr. Fuji, solely to further his feud with the challengers). The Hart Foundation continued feuding with Jimmy Hart's wrestlers for the next year, teaming with Jim Duggan to defeat Dino Bravo and The Rougeaus in a 2/3 falls match at the 1989 Royal Rumble, then defeating The Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine at WrestleMania V.
In April 1989, both Hart Foundation members began wrestling singles matches at house shows. The Hart Foundation reformed full-time in March 1990 in Las Vegas. At WrestleMania VI in Toronto, they defeated The Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov) in 19 seconds. They started a second feud with champions Demolition, who at this point added Crush. At SummerSlam 90 on August 27, The Hart Foundation won the title for a second time in a 2/3 falls match.
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On October 30, 1990, The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) defeated The Hart Foundation in a two out of three falls match in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to seemingly win the title. The WWF has never officially recognized The Rockers' reign. The Hart Foundation soon reignited their feud with Jimmy Hart via his team, Rhythm and Blues (Honky Tonk and Valentine). Jimmy Hart once again cost The Hart Foundation the tag titles at WrestleMania VII, in a match with his new team, The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags), when he distracted the referee, allowing Sags to knock out Neidhart with his motorcycle helmet.
Hart and Neidhart again split up, though they reunited for a title rematch with The Nasty Boys on the July 29 Prime Time Wrestling, losing by disqualification when Bret hit both champions with a helmet, again introduced by Jimmy Hart. Neidhart returned to WWF television on the November 9, 1991 episode of Superstars of Wrestling, donning new parachute pants with checkerboard designs. He suffered a loss to Ric Flair, who continued to apply his figure-four leglock after winning the match. Neidhart returned once more on the December 1, 1991 episode of Wrestling Challenge, teaming with Owen Hart (Bret's younger brother) as the New Foundation, defeating the Executioners (Executioner #1 and Executioner #2). The New Foundation's highlight was a win over the Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka) at the January 1992 Royal Rumble.
After leaving the WWF in February 1992, Neidhart wrestled a handful of matches on the independent circuit, including two bouts for Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW). In April 1993, Neidhart began wrestling for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), making his debut on the May 15 episode of WCW Worldwide, beating a jobber, Todd Zane. Neidhart returned to the WWF at King of the Ring in June 1994 as Bret Hart's cornerman for his WWF Championship match defense against Intercontinental Champion Diesel. After Diesel hit Hart with his Jackknife finisher, Neidhart interfered to prevent the pin, and disqualifying Hart, but allowing him to retain the title. Neidhart joined Owen on Shawn Michaels' team, The Teamsters, to face Razor Ramon and The Bad Guys in an elimination match at Survivor Series.
The Hart Foundation take spot No. 3: WWE 50 Greatest Tag Teams sneak peek
Later Career and Controversies
After leaving the WWF once again, Neidhart returned to the ring in February 1995 for the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation (MEWF). Over the following months, he wrestled for various independent promotions. Neidhart wrestled sporadically throughout early-1996, including appearing at the World Wrestling Peace Festival in June 1996. After leaving the WWF once more, in October 1996 Neidhart wrestling in England for Hammerlock Wrestling. On the July 6, 1996, episode of Superstars, Neidhart returned to the WWF as the masked heel "Who", a gimmick designed for commentators Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler to make "Who's on First?"-style jokes during his matches (all of which he lost). He returned to the WWF in 1997, reuniting with Bret and Owen Hart as part of the new Hart Foundation, a stable of Canadian sympathizers, also including Davey Boy Smith and Brian Pillman.
After Bret and Davey Boy Smith left the WWF on bad terms because of the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series. Neidhart followed him to World Championship Wrestling (though not immediately, as he would be beaten up and humiliated, on the November 24 and December 1 episodes of Raw, by D-Generation X prior to his departure) where he formed a tag team with The British Bulldog, who also followed Bret there. Neidhart appeared in TNA on the November 12, 2009, edition of Impact!
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Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart was known for his intense personality, which sometimes led to backstage disputes. One notable incident involved his brother-in-law Bret Hart. Despite their successful tag team run as The Hart Foundation, tensions arose due to Neidhart's unpredictable behavior. Neidhart faced multiple legal issues, including arrests for possession of controlled substances. His struggles with addiction were well-documented, and these incidents tarnished his reputation in the wrestling world. In 2010, Neidhart was arrested on domestic violence charges involving his daughter, WWE wrestler Natalya Neidhart. Neidhart was known for his unfiltered opinions in shoot interviews, where he criticized fellow wrestlers and promoters.
Despite his controversies, Neidhart remains respected for his in-ring work, particularly as part of The Hart Foundation. However, his personal struggles and controversial actions often overshadowed his career achievements.
Legacy and Impact
Natalya Neidhart Inducts The Hart Foundation into the WWE Hall of Fame
Since his passing in 2018, Neidhart's legacy has continued to be celebrated. In the 2025 wrestling season, his influence is still felt, particularly through his daughter, Natalya Neidhart, who carries on the family tradition in WWE. As a WWE Hall of Famer (2019), Neidhart's name remains synonymous with excellence in tag team wrestling. Many modern wrestlers cite Neidhart as an inspiration, particularly for his intensity and showmanship. Neidhart's likeness continues to appear in WWE video games, action figures, and archival footage.
At the time of his passing in 2018, estimates placed Jim Neidhart's net worth between $100,000 and $500,000. This included earnings from wrestling, appearances, and residual income from WWE's legacy programs. Neidhart's estate is managed by his family, including his daughter Natalya Neidhart, a current WWE superstar.
Championships and Accomplishments
Jim Neidhart has won a total of 2 championships in major promotions during his career. Jim Neidhart was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of the Groups wing (as a member of The Hart Foundation).
- Stampede Wrestling
- Stampede International Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Hercules Ayala (1) and Mr. Hito (1)
- Mid-South Wrestling
- Mid-South Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Butch Reed
- World Wrestling Federation
- WWF Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Bret Hart
Theme Songs
- "Max Speed II" - Single (January 20, 1998 - October 7, 1998)
- "Metal Jacket" by Hugo Ripoll - Single (April 28, 1997 - December 2, 1997)
- "Hart Attack" by Jim Johnston, Jimmy Hart & J.J. Maguire - with The New Hart Foundation - Team (April 28, 1997 - November 9, 1997)
- "Poison" by Alice Cooper - Single (July 8, 1995 - December 16, 1995)
- "Rock Around" - Single (April 20, 1993 - October 7, 1993)
- "New Foundation" - with Owen Hart - Team (December 1, 1991 - February 16, 1992)
- "Hart Beat" by Jimmy Hart & J.J. Maguire - with Bret Hart - Team (March 26, 1985 - July 1, 1991)
Tag Teams and Stables
- The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith (February 3, 1998 - September 22, 1998)
- The New Hart Foundation - Bret Hart, Brian Pillman, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith (April 28, 1997 - November 9, 1997)
- Owen Hart & Jim Neidhart - Owen Hart (June 19, 1994 - December 14, 1994)
- The New Foundation - Owen Hart (November 9, 1991 - February 16, 1992)
- The Hart Foundation - Bret Hart, Dangerous Danny Davis / Mr. X (March 26, 1985 - July 1, 1991)
- Jim Neidhart & Krusher Kruschev - Demolition Smash (September 25, 1984 - January 24, 1985)
- The First Family - Jimmy Hart, Rick Rude, The Angel, The Animal (April 9, 1984 - August 9, 1984)
- Jim Neidhart & Mr. Hito - Mr. Jimmy Hart
Family
- Natalya - Daughter
- Bret Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith - Brothers-in-law
- Stu Hart - Father-in-law
- Tyson Kidd - Son-in-law
- Davey Boy Smith Jr. - Nephew
Wrestling Statistics
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Real Name | James Henry Neidhart |
| Birth Date | February 8, 1955 |
| Death Date | August 13, 2018 |
| Age at Death | 63 |
| Height | Approx. 6'1" (185 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 270 lbs (122 kg) |