Greetings.
I’ve just returned from my brother-in-law – former WWE superstar, Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart’s, funeral, in Tampa, Florida. There certainly was a colorful and diverse aggregation of wrestling notables attendance at the service, including former wrestling colleagues: the Nasty Boys (Jerry Sags and Brian Nobbs), Bushwhacker Luke, Skinner (Steve Keirn), Brian Blair, Haku, Danny Spivey and Dean Malenko, my brother Bret and nephew and former WWE tag team champion Harry Smith, among others – several of whom gave heartfelt eulogies.
Also in attendance were wrestling royalty, such as: Stephanie McMahon (who plays a heel in the WWE, but is one of the nicest people in the business); my old and dear friend, Ata Maivia (the mother of Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson; former WWE women’s champion, the “glamazon” Beth Phoenix and legendary former NWA world champion, Dory Funk Jr., among other luminaries.
I was told that almost everybody on the roster of present day WWE superstars would also like to have attended the service, but were unable to because they had the Summer Slam extravaganza in New York the next day.
As a rule, funerals tend to be pretty sad, dreary affairs, however, the Anvil’s service, I’m pleased to report tended to be an uplifting celebration of Jim’s colorful life and times, with several of the eulogies sharing amusing and irreverent memories of life on the road, in the ring and in the dressing room with the Anvil – which is probably the way he’d like to be remembered.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended the service and paid their respects, as well as those who sent flowers, cards and e-mails– all of which were inspiring and meaningful to Jim’s family. I know that somewhere up yonder, the Anvil and others, including my brother Owen, brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith, Reverend Brian Pillman and others are re-living old memories and reflecting on his incredible journey. Rest easy and raise a little hell, my friends!
On that hell-raising note, I’ll call this a wrap but will look forward to catching up with you all next week for more Hart Murmurs.
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