Jim Neidhart

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jim Neidhart
Neidhart in 2015
Birth nameJames Henry Neidhart
Born(1955-02-08)February 8, 1955
Montebello, California, U.S.[1]
DiedAugust 13, 2018(2018-08-13) (aged 63)
Wesley Chapel, Florida, U.S.
Cause of deathHead injury caused by a seizure resulting in a fall[2]
Spouse(s)
Elizabeth "Ellie" Hart
(m. 1979; div. 2001)
[3]
(m. 2010)
Children3, including Natalie
FamilyHart
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Jim Neidhart[1]
Who[4]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[5]
Billed weight281 lb (127 kg)[5]
Billed fromReno, Nevada, U.S.[5]
"Who Knows Where" (as Who)
Trained byStu Hart[1]
Debut1978
Retired2016[1]

James Henry Neidhart (February 8, 1955 – August 13, 2018)

WWF Tag Team Champion with his real-life brother-in-law Bret Hart in the Hart Foundation. He also won titles in Stampede Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Mid-South Wrestling, Memphis Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation. 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
.

Early life

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. After graduating from high school,[7] 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.[8]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1978–1985)

Following his release from the Dallas Cowboys, Neidhart traveled to Calgary to train with Stu Hart and pursue a career in professional wrestling.[9] 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.[10] 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. This earned him the nickname "The Anvil", replacing his prior nickname, "The Animal".[11][12]

In September 1981, Neidhart appeared in Germany with the Catch Wrestling Association, taking part in the World Catch Cup. 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 January 1983, he made a second tour with NJPW, competing in its New Year Golden Series.[13]

Neidhart teamed twice with

World Wrestling Federation.[13]

World Wrestling Federation (1985–1992)

Hart Foundation (1985–1991)

The "Hart Foundation" Neidhart (back) and Bret Hart (front), March 1989

When Stu Hart sold Stampede Wrestling to

World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Neidhart and Bret Hart were included in the deal. Initially a singles wrestler, managed by Mr. Fuji, Neidhart debuted on January 21, 1985, in Madison Square Garden, defeating Tony Garea.[14] He wrestled Hart, who had a cowboy gimmick, to a draw twice. Bret, upset with his gimmick, suggested to McMahon that he form a tag team with Neidhart.[15]

The new team was dubbed the Hart Foundation and was managed by

The Hart Foundation wrestled in another 20-man battle royal at

The Hart Foundation reformed full-time in March 1990 in

from March until August 1991.

New Foundation (1991–1992)

Neidhart returned to WWF television on the November 9, 1991 episode of Superstars of Wrestling, donning new

the Beverly Brothers.[20] This resulted in him being replaced in the 1991 Survivor Series by Sgt. Slaughter
.

Neidhart returned once more on the December 1, 1991 episode of

the Powers of Pain throughout late-1991 and early-1992, but had little success overall. The New Foundation wrestled their final match on February 15, 1992; Neidhart was fired the next day after refusing to take a drug test and throwing a television monitor backstage.[21]

Various promotions (1992–1994)

After leaving the WWF in February 1992, Neidhart wrestled a handful of matches on the

Super Grade Tag League II in October (teaming with Tom Zenk and finishing with 0 points) and Battle Final in December.[22][13]

In February and March 1993, Neidhart wrestled in Australia for the "Wrestling Down Under" promotion, working three matches with

ECW Arena. In December 1993, Neidhart promoted several shows in Florida under the banner "Anvil Promotions".[24]

Throughout early 1994, Neidhart wrestled for various independent promotions. He returned to the World Wrestling Federation in June 1994.[25]

World Wrestling Federation (1994)

Neidhart returned to the WWF at

The British Bulldog
in a series of tag team bouts.

Neidhart joined Owen on Shawn Michaels' team, The Teamsters, to face Razor Ramon and The Bad Guys in an elimination match at

The New Headshrinkers (Fatu and Sionne) in the first round on the December 31 Superstars, by disqualification. By the time it aired, Neidhart had left the WWF. Bret Hart wrote in his autobiography that the original plan was for Owen and Neidhart to win the tournament and the WWF Tag Team Championships, but Neidhart was officially fired due to no-showing events. Hart wound up winning the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XI with new partner Yokozuna
.

Various promotions (1995–1996)

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. In April 1995, he returned to ECW, losing to Marty Jannetty and Ron Simmons on consecutive nights. After several more matches on the independent circuit, in July 1995 Neidhart made a one-night appearance with the Catch Wrestling Association in Graz, Austria, competing in the Euro Catch Festival. Later that month, Neidhart appeared with ECW once more, wrestling Marty Jannetty to a double disqualification. Over the following few months, he continued to wrestle on the independent circuit, briefly holding the MEWF Heavyweight Championship. In November and December 1995, Neidhart worked for the Catch Wrestling Association in Germany, competing in the CWA International Catch Cup tournament.[26]

Neidhart wrestled sporadically throughout early-1996, including appearing at the World Wrestling Peace Festival in June 1996. He returned to the World Wrestling Federation later that month.[27]

After leaving the WWF once more, in October 1996 Neidhart wrestling in England for Hammerlock Wrestling. In December 1996, he began appearing with the New York-based independent promotion Ultimate Championship Wrestling.[27][28][29] In March 1997, he appeared with the Sacramento, California-based National Wrestling Conference.[30]

World Wrestling Federation (1996, 1997)

Who (1996)

On the July 6, 1996, episode of Superstars, Neidhart returned to the WWF as the masked heel "Who", a gimmick designed for commentators

Alex Porteau in Miami on September 12.[31]

Hart Foundation reunion (1997)

Neidhart (left) in 1997.

Neidhart returned to the WWF once more on the April 28, 1997, episode of

and Philip Lafon defeated Team USA Vader, Goldust, "Marvelous" Marc Mero and the debut of "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman (Bulldog was the sole survivor, Neidhart was pinned by Vader).[1]

After Bret and Davey Boy Smith left the WWF on bad terms because of the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series. D-Generation X (DX) leader and WWF Champion Shawn Michaels offered Neidhart a spot in the group on the November 24 episode of Raw Is War. Neidhart accepted, only for it to be revealed as a setup as the group assaulted Neidhart at the end of the show. The following week on the December 1 episode of Raw is War, DX member Triple H defeated Neidhart. After the match, DX attacked Neidhart once again and spray-painted "WCW" on his back and signifying him following Bret Hart to World Championship Wrestling. Sgt. Slaughter and Ken Shamrock saved him, before Slaughter and Shamrock attacked D-Generation X at the end of the show. His last match in WWF was when he defeated The Sultan at a house show on December 1. WWF announced that Neidhart was released from his WWF contract on December 2, 1997.

World Championship Wrestling (1998)

Neidhart returned to

ringpost figure-four leglock to Neidhart until being driven off by Bret Hart.[33]

Neidhart wrestled his first return match for WCW on the January 20, 1998 episode of

The Dancing Fools in a tag team match.[34]

Neidhart's final televised match for WCW was on the September 26, 1998 episode of WCW Saturday Night where he and the British Bulldog lost to Stevie Ray and Vincent. Neidhart went on to wrestle on house shows until being released from WCW in October 1998.[34]

Late career (1998–2016)

Neidhart in a wrestling match in 2007 against Salvatore Sincere.

Following his departure from WCW, Neidhart largely retired from the ring, but continued to make sporadic appearances in

Impact! winning against Jay Lethal in his initial open challenge thrown out to the legends of professional wrestling.[35]

On Raw XV, the 15th-anniversary WWE Raw special on December 10, 2007, Neidhart returned to WWE for the first time since 1997, and participated in the 15th Anniversary Battle Royal, eventually making it to the final five before being eliminated by Skinner.[36]

Neidhart's last known match was on March 5, 2016, when he teamed with Koko B. Ware and Frankie the Pizza Guy as they defeated Nikolai Volkoff, Clay Dasher and Shawn Andrews at a BCW event in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Professional wrestling style and persona

Neidhart usually wrestled in pink attire and the Hart Foundation tag team was nicknamed "The Pink and Black Attack".[37][38] It popularized the Hart Attack finisher maneuver.[39]

Other media

On April 6, 2010,

Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology on DVD, which is a three-disc set featuring a documentary on the Hart wrestling family (including Neidhart) as well as 12 matches. Neidhart's daughter Natalie was featured as a main cast member on the reality show Total Divas, and he made appearances on the show along with his wife.[40]

Personal life

Neidhart in 2005.

Neidhart and wife, Ellie Hart had three daughters; one,

Natalie Neidhart-Wilson, is a professional wrestler under the ring name "Natalya", currently signed to WWE.[11]

Neidhart was arrested on September 6, 2010, and charged with two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, two counts of trafficking illegal drugs, one count of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, and one count of third-degree grand theft for property stolen between $300 and $5,000. He was arrested after becoming aggressive with police after ingesting multiple pills outside a gas station.[41] In March 2012, he was sentenced to five months and 29 days in jail. During his sentencing, he was arrested and held in contempt of court.[42] Neidhart completed two stints in rehabilitation paid for by WWE.[41]

Death

According to TMZ, Neidhart's wife Elizabeth told investigators that on August 13, 2018, he was having problems sleeping and got out of bed to adjust the thermostat.[43] As he went to touch it, he "turned weirdly as if he were about to dance", then fell against the wall and floor.[43] She immediately dialed 911, believing he was having a seizure, something for which he took medication. He had a four-inch long gash on his face when emergency services arrived.[43] He died at the scene at age 63, with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office stating to TMZ that their preliminary investigation believed he hit his head and succumbed due to his injuries, with foul play not being suspected.[2][44] At the time, his wife stated his doctor's believed he may have had Alzheimer's disease.[43][9] WWE later paid tribute to Neidhart on their website.[45]

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Jim Neidhart Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Johnson, Mike (August 13, 2018). "MORE ON PASSING OF JIM NEIDHART". PWInsider. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  3. .
  4. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated, 7th annual edition, p.34.
  5. ^ a b c "WWE Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart profile". WWE. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart dies". canoe.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  7. ^ "Shoot With Jim Neidhart" DVD synopsis". RFvideo.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
  8. ^ Houston, Mitchell (August 13, 2018). "Former WWE star Jim 'the Anvil' Neidhart dies at 63". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Kaufman, Bill (August 14, 2018). "Neidhart's Calgary wrestling roots recalled". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  10. ^ Martin, Kevin (February 5, 2005). "Neidhart accused of theft". Calgary Sun. SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ a b DiFino, Lennie DiFino (June 27, 2007). "Catching up with Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart". WWE. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  12. ^ Patton, Kristi (May 3, 2007). "Neidhart-Santana ready to renew rivalry". Cochrane Times. SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ a b c d e Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". www.wrestlingdata.com.
  14. ^ a b c Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". www.wrestlingdata.com.
  15. .
  16. ^ Graham Cawthon (October 30, 1990). "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved July 13, 2007.
  17. ^ Graham Cawthon (November 3, 1990). "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved July 13, 2007.
  18. .
  19. Sporting News
    . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Cawthon, Graham. "Ring Results: 1991". The History of WWE. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  21. .
  22. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - 1992". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  23. ^ "WCW 1993 results, from TheHistoryOfWWE.com". January 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - 1993". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  25. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - 1994". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  26. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - 1995". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - 1996". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  28. .
  29. ^ "WRESTLER CHARLES "GUILLOTINE" LeGRANDE ON TIGER KHAN". smashedmedia.us. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016.
  30. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - 1997". Cagematch.net. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  31. ^ "1996 WWF results, from TheHistoryOfWWE.com". January 16, 2023.
  32. ^ 14.WWE.Network.Collection.Jim.The.Anvil.Neidhart.A.Canadian.Stampede.07.06.1997.WEB.h264-WD, retrieved May 9, 2022
  33. ^ Matt (December 15, 2015). "WCW: Monday Nitro (01.12.98)". PDRWrestling.net.
  34. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart - matches - World Championship Wrestling". Cagematch.net.
  35. ^ Wilkenfeld, Daniel (November 12, 2009). "Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact Report 11/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  36. ^ Clayton, Cory (December 15, 2007). "Rhodes and Holly golden on Raw's 15th Anniversary". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  37. ^ "PWTorch.com - COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The Five Coolest Wrestling Figures Decked Out in Pink". www.pwtorch.com.
  38. ^ "Bret "The Hitman" Hart necesitando otra cirugía". March 27, 2014.
  39. ^ "Wrestling world pays tribute to Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart".
  40. ^ a b "Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart". WWE. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  41. ^ a b McCoy, Heath (September 8, 2010). "Former wrestler Jim Neidhart arrested in Florida on drug charges". Calgary Herald. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on September 11, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  42. ^ Johnson, Mike. "Jim Neidhart Arrested After Court Appearance". PWInsider.com.
  43. ^ a b c d "Jim Neidhart Collapsed from Apparent Seizure ... Banged Head". TMZ. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  44. ^ "Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart Dead at 63 After Fall at Home". TMZ.
  45. ^ "Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart passes away". WWE. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jim Neidhart". Cagematch. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  47. .
  48. .
  49. ^ "2022 Class". Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  50. ^ "Legends Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame". Facebook. August 13, 2018. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  51. .
  52. ^ "Class of 2014". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  53. .
  54. ^ The Internet Wrestling Database. Cagematch (March 29, 2011). Retrieved on April 12, 2011.
  55. ^ Wrestling Information Archive – Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. 100megsfree4.com. Retrieved on April 12, 2011.
  56. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  57. ^ Whalen, Ed (host) (December 15, 1995). "Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame: 1948-1990". Showdown at the Corral: A Tribute to Stu Hart. Event occurs at 27:55. Shaw Cable. Calgary 7.
  58. ^ "Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948–1990)". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  59. ^
    Canadian Online Explorer. April 3, 2016. Archived from the original
    on April 29, 2015.

External links