World Wrestling Entertainment and their fans have lost another legend. The company confirms the death of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, a member of the storied Hart Foundation tag team with Bret “The Hitman” Hart and father to currently WWE superstar Natalya.
TMZ Sports reveals “Preliminary information indicates that [Neidhart] fell at home, hit his head, and succumbed to his injury.” There was believed to be no foul play involved in the incident. Neidhart was 63-years-old.
Neidhart was a two-times tag team champion, with a career that extended to WCW and TNA wrestling companies. His last appearance in a WWE ring was in 2007. He also played in the National Football League with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
Natalya was scheduled to wrestle on tonight’s (Aug 14) episode of RAW in a match with WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss but was pulled from the schedule. She did issue a statement on Twitter regarding her father’s passing.
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) August 13, 2018
Members of the current locker room extended condolences to the Bret Hart, Natalya and the entire Hart family. Hart was survived by his wife and three daughters.
Read the full statement from the WWE regarding Neidhart here.
The only thing bigger than his on-screen character was his heart.
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart loved performing with & spending time with his family…and he made us all smile while doing it.
Thinking of @NatbyNature, @TJWilson, & the entire Hart family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ahWuWGXInv— Triple H (@TripleH) August 13, 2018
My condolences to @NatbyNature & her family over the loss of her father, Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart. My thoughts, prayers & heart are with you, Nattie.
— #WOKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) August 13, 2018
Stunned and saddened. I just don’t have the words right now. pic.twitter.com/fcO8Skuuhz
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) August 13, 2018