So sad to hear about the passing of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart.
On Monday his friend B. Brian Blair announced the news on Twitter, which was later confirmed by the WWE. Cause of death is still unknown.
The wrestling legend was one half of the 2-time WWF tag team champions The Hart Foundation, along with brother-in-law Bret “The Hitman” Hart.
Wrestling was a family business for Neidhart. The former NFL player got his training from Stu Hart in the famous Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Canada. In his later years he became well known to Total Divas fans as the father of wrestler Natalya Neidhart.
His tag team partner and other wrestling stars paid tribute on social media Monday morning:
Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now.A post shared by Bret (@brethitmanhart) on Aug 13, 2018 at 8:13am PDT
My Good Friend Jim Neidhart, A World Class Athlete And A Man Among Men. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/JSmdpZ9YZ1
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 13, 2018
ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS JIM NEIDHART. WE TRAVEL TOGETHER I LOVE HIM FOREVER LIKE A BROTHER. GOD BLESS FAMILY I NEVER FORGET YOU BUBBA. pic.twitter.com/lt1dE8QOvt
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) August 13, 2018
Saddened To Hear Jim Neidhart Has Passed. My Prayers Are With His Families. Guess God Needed An “Anvil” Angel RIP Jim??
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) August 13, 2018
Devastating news Jim Neidhart my friend has passed away!! I can hardly believe it. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again !!!
— Brutus Beefcake (@brutusbeefcake_) August 13, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Neidhart family
Jim Neidhart Passes Away At 63-Years-Old @Myringsidenews https://t.co/isJ2UFVdGd
— Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat (@real_steamboat) August 13, 2018
Sad to hear about the passing of Jim Neidhart. Condolences to his family, friends and fans. Jim was an important part of the landscape during one of the most important periods in the industry. RIP Jim,
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) August 13, 2018
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Jim Neidhart. A Legend of the wrestling industry. My condolences to Jim’s family & friends. #RIPAnvil pic.twitter.com/aMDQAgBTLa
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) August 13, 2018
Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Jim Neidhart. The #HartFoundation were the greatest of all time. My thoughts are with @NatbyNature @TJWilson and the rest of the Hart family. #RIPAnvil
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) August 13, 2018
Such a shame to learn of the passing of Jim Neidhart. Watching ‘The Anvil’ in action on WWF Superstars and Wrestling Challenge was one of the staples of my childhood. A larger-than-life character that’ll be sorely missed. #RIPAnvil
— El Ligero (@Ligero1) August 13, 2018
The Anvil was 63 years old.
See Neidhart in his prime and with his daughter on Total Divas (below):