Greetings.
The wrestling world was saddened this week with the passing of my brother-in-law and friend, Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart. Although Jim had been dealing with some health issues lately, his death, nonetheless, came as a shock.
Like so many others, Jim began his career up here in Calgary, in my dad’s legendary Stampede Wrestling promotion, back in 1979. Jim was originally sent up to Calgary by Leo Garibaldi, an old ex-wrestler who had worked for us back in the 1950’s, and used to send prospects our way. At the time, Jim was national champion shot-putter and had also been playing football for the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys, but was keen on getting into pro wrestling. In the past my dad had trained other weightlifter, strongmen types, including Paul Anderson, Doug Hepburn and Wayne Coleman (alias Superstar Billy Graham) and was more than happy to train big Jim.
At that time I was doing the booking (matchmaking) for my dad and we had several other dynamic young rookies also breaking in at the time, including Tommy Billington (Dynamite Kid), my brother Bret, Len Denton, Sly Ritter (Junkyard Dog), Aurelian Smith (Jake Roberts) and soon to follow Davey Boy Smith, Kerry Brown, George Takano (The Cobra) and Sonny Two Rivers (Junji Hirada). We also had a superb group of veterans, including: Leo Burke, Angel Acevedo (the Cuban Assassin),Gadabra Sahota (the Great Gama), Duke Myers, Mr. Hito, Mike Sharpe, Kerry Brown, Norman Charles and John Foley – all of whom contributed to the development of the young guys, including Jim. In a few years, Jim was one of the top stars in our vibrant Stampede Wrestling promotion and had also become a certified member of the Hart foundation, having married my sister Ellie.
In 1984, my dad cut a deal with WWF president Vince McMahon and would send several of his best workers, including Davey Boy Smith, the Dynamite Kid, Bret and Jim – all of whom quickly climbed the ladder in the WWF. In 1987, Jim and Bret – whom Vince had given the name, the Hart Foundation, would dethrone Davey Boy and Dynamite (better known as the British Bulldogs), for the WWE World Tag Team titles and they would subsequently enjoy one of the longest, most successful tag team title runs in WWE history – which would launch them into superstardom.
After their successful tag team title run, Bret would switch to an even more acclaimed singles career, while Jim would form an equally dynamic and successful tag team with my brother Owen. Later on, Jim, Owen, Bret, my brother-in-law Davey Boy and my former tag team partner Brian Pillman would join forces to become the new Hart Foundation. That fabulous fivesome would become the hottest heel faction in the WWF in the mid-90’s, culminating in the memorable Canadian Stampede pay-per-view in July 1997, here in Calgary, which remains one of the most incredible pay per views in WWF history.
Unfortunately, not long after the Canadian Stampede, things began to unravel for the Hart Foundation, with Pillman’s unfortunate death only a couple of months later. That was followed by the infamous Montreal Screw Job – which resulted in Bret leaving the WWE on bad terms and convincing Davey Boy and the Anvil to follow him to the rival WCW. That, unfortunately, would prove to be a disaster for Jim and Davey, who were completely misused by the WCW and Jim’s and Davey’s careers never really recovered.
Subsequent to that, Owen was tragically killed in the ring in 1997 and Davey Boy would die in 2001 – which decimated the Hart Foundation. In recent years though, Davey’s son Harry (David Hart Smith) and Jim’s daughter – Natalya and son-in-law Tyson Kidd would rise to superstardom, which would continue to perpetuate the legacy of the Hart foundation.
I’m pleased to have played a role in helping the career of Jim and others in the Hart Foundation, old and new, and exceedingly proud of their stellar accomplishments in the ring. I’m also proud to relate that Jim and I remained friends through all the ups and downs and trials and tribulations. I’d like to pay homage to my friend, the Anvil, for his stellar accomplishment, not only in the wrestling ring, but in track and field – where he was national champion in the shot putt, and in football – where he starred for the UCLA Bruins and played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders in the NFL. I’d also like to commend him for his zest for life, for having been a great husband and father and also for being “one of the boys”, in the best sense of the word. The Anvil was truly a one of a kind original. He’ll be missed, but never forgotten. RIP, bro.
In closing, I’d like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s wife, Ellie and daughters, Jenny, Nattie and Muffy, on their profound loss. I’m certain that big Jim is reminiscing with my dad, my mom, Owen, Davey Boy and all his other wrestling buddies, somewhere up yonder. To Jim and all the others, thanks for the memories.
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