James Henry Neidhart was an American professional wrestler known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation as Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, where he was a two-time WWF Tag Team Champion with his real-life brother-in-law Bret Hart in The Hart Foundation.
50 Facts About Jim Neidhart
2.
Jim Neidhart won titles in Stampede Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Mid-South Wrestling, Memphis Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation.
3.
Jim Neidhart 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.
4.
At Newport Harbor High School, Neidhart first gained athletic acclaim for his success in strength-oriented track and field events.
5.
Jim Neidhart set a California high school record in shot put in 1973 which stood until 1985.
6.
Jim Neidhart 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.
7.
Jim Neidhart was a two-time Stampede International Tag Team Champion, with Hercules Ayala in 1980 and Mr Hito in 1983.
8.
Stu Hart, seeking publicity for Jim Neidhart, promised him $500 to enter and win an anvil toss at the Calgary Stampede.
9.
In September 1981, Jim Neidhart appeared in Germany with the Catch Wrestling Association, taking part in the World Catch Cup.
10.
From April to May 1982, Jim Neidhart wrestled in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling on its Big Fight Series tour as part of Stampede Wrestling's working relationship with NJPW.
11.
Jim Neidhart teamed twice with King Kong Bundy for Georgia Championship Wrestling in November 1983.
12.
From April to August 1984, Jim Neidhart worked for the Continental Wrestling Association.
13.
Jim Neidhart wrestled Hart, who had a cowboy gimmick, to a draw twice.
14.
Jim Neidhart commentated on Wrestling Challenge alongside Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan from March until August 1991.
15.
Jim Neidhart returned to WWF television on the November 9,1991 episode of Superstars of Wrestling, donning new parachute pants with checkerboard designs.
16.
Jim Neidhart suffered a loss to Ric Flair, who continued to apply his figure-four leglock after winning the match.
17.
Jim Neidhart returned once more on the December 1,1991 episode of Wrestling Challenge, teaming with Owen Hart as the New Foundation, defeating the Executioners.
18.
The New Foundation wrestled their final match on February 15,1992; Jim Neidhart was fired the next day after refusing to take a drug test and throwing a television monitor backstage.
19.
In February and March 1993, Jim Neidhart wrestled in Australia for the "Wrestling Down Under" promotion, working three matches with Jake Roberts.
20.
On November 13,1993, Jim Neidhart wrestled The Sandman to a no contest at ECW's November to Remember in the ECW Arena.
21.
In December 1993, Jim Neidhart promoted several shows in Florida under the banner "Anvil Promotions".
22.
Jim Neidhart returned to the World Wrestling Federation in June 1994.
23.
Jim Neidhart returned to the WWF at King of the Ring in 1994 as Bret Hart's cornerman for his WWF World Heavyweight Championship match defense against Intercontinental Champion Diesel.
24.
Later that night, Jim Neidhart reappeared at ringside again during Owen Hart's King of the Ring tournament final against Razor Ramon.
25.
Jim Neidhart attacked Razor outside the ring, behind the referee's back, before Neidhart throwing Razor back for Hart to elbow drop and pin to become "The King of Harts", turning heel for the first time since 1988.
26.
Jim Neidhart, believing Bret had held Owen back from his potential, sided with Owen, and usually cornering him in matches through the summer.
27.
Jim Neidhart claimed he'd only helped Bret keep the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at King of the Ring so Owen could take it from him.
28.
Jim Neidhart sat in the third row during the match, behind other Hart family members.
29.
Jim Neidhart joined Owen on Shawn Michaels' team, The Teamsters, to face Razor Ramon and The Bad Guys in an elimination match at Survivor Series.
30.
Later that month, Jim Neidhart appeared with ECW once more, wrestling Marty Jannetty to a double disqualification.
31.
In November and December 1995, Jim Neidhart worked for the Catch Wrestling Association in Germany, competing in the CWA International Catch Cup tournament.
32.
Jim Neidhart wrestled sporadically throughout early-1996, including appearing at the World Wrestling Peace Festival in June 1996.
33.
Jim Neidhart returned to the World Wrestling Federation later that month.
34.
Jim Neidhart returned to the WWF once more on the April 28,1997, episode of Raw is War, attacking Stone Cold Steve Austin and reuniting with Bret and Owen Hart as part of the new Hart Foundation, a stable of Canadian sympathizers, including Davey Boy Smith and Brian Pillman.
35.
Jim Neidhart was part of Team Canada at Survivor Series in Montreal, teaming with The British Bulldog, Doug Furnas and Philip Lafon defeated Team USA Vader, Goldust, "Marvelous" Marc Mero and the debut of "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman.
36.
Jim Neidhart accepted, only for it to be revealed as a setup as the group assaulted Jim Neidhart at the end of the show.
37.
WWF announced that Jim Neidhart was released from his WWF contract on December 2,1997.
38.
Jim Neidhart returned to World Championship Wrestling on the January 12,1998 episode of WCW Monday Nitro.
39.
Jim Neidhart wrestled his first return match for WCW on the January 20,1998 episode of WCW Saturday Night, defeating Wayne Bloom.
40.
In February 1998, Jim Neidhart formed a tag team with the British Bulldog, who had departed the WWF following the Montreal Screwjob.
41.
Jim 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.
42.
Jim Neidhart went on to wrestle on house shows until being released from WCW in October 1998.
43.
On Raw XV, the 15th-anniversary WWE Raw special on December 10,2007, Jim 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.
44.
Jim Neidhart usually wrestled in pink attire and the Hart Foundation tag team was nicknamed "The Pink and Black Attack".
45.
Jim Neidhart and wife "Ellie" had three daughters; one, Natalie Jim Neidhart-Wilson, is a professional wrestler under the ring name "Natalya", currently signed to WWE.
46.
Jim 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.
47.
Jim Neidhart was arrested after becoming aggressive with police after ingesting multiple pills outside a gas station.
48.
Jim Neidhart completed two stints in rehabilitation paid for by WWE.
49.
Jim Neidhart immediately dialed 911, believing he was having a seizure, something for which he took medication.
50.
Jim Neidhart had a four-inch long gash on his face when emergency services arrived.