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WWE Announced today that former Tag-Team Champion, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart passed away at 63. Older fans will best know him as one part of “The Hart Foundation” alongside superstar Bret Hart, with whom he also held the Tag-Team Titles with, while newer fans may recognize him from Total Divas in which he appears with daughter and fellow WWE Superstar, Natalya. He is a legend in the WWE Universe and will be incredibly missed by friends, family, and fans.
Neidhart started his career in the NFL but was later trained by the legendary Stu Hart in the infamous Hart Dungeon in Calgary. While there he met Ellie, Stu’s daughter and Bret Hart’s sister, and they were later married. The two would have three children including current WWE Superstar Natalya.
Neidhart joined the WWE after the company purchased Stu Hart’s Calgary Stampede Wrestling. He would win the WWE Tag Team Championships two times while part of the Hart Foundation. He would make appearances in both WCW and NJPW. Neidhart would make his final appearance for the WWE in 1997.
Most recently the WWE Universe got a peek at his life in episodes of Total Divas. He would appear periodically to help or sometimes complicate Natalya’s life. He always came off as a loving father who worked hard to make his family happy. Nataly was clearly close to her father and our thoughts go out to her and the rest of the Neidhart family in this hard time.
The WWE Universe and WWE Superstars have begun taking to Twitter to share their condolences and memories. Here are some of the things being said about The Anvil.
Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now. pic.twitter.com/fcO8Skuuhz
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) 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
My condolences to @NatbyNature & her family over the loss of her father, Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart. My thoughts, prayers & heart are with you, Nattie.
— #BROKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/RonFunches/status/1029028610118758400
https://twitter.com/PWGifs/status/1029024792286920704
RIP Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.
If you have a beard, please tug on it in his honour today. pic.twitter.com/LiZsOkpSyw
— Wrestling Without Contexthausen RULES ASS (@wresnocontext) August 13, 2018
First wrestler I ever saw was Bret Hart. In his corner was Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart and that was that. From there I became a fan. Thoughts with Jim's friends and family. An iconic figure no doubt. RIP.
— Simon Miller (@SimonMiller316) August 13, 2018
RIP Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart pic.twitter.com/IBfWfuw8lj
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) August 13, 2018
