“I’ve lost a lot of friends over the past few years. One of the things you realize about getting older is that not everybody is going to get older with you.” – Cormac McCarthy
I’m sorry for taking so long in making a statement about the recent passing of my longtime friend and companion Jim “Anvil” Neidhart. No loss has ever dimmed the light in my heart as this one. I loved Jim as more than a brother. He was a one-of-kind character. The most beautiful thing about Jim was how on the longest days and in the most miserable times, he could always make you laugh. He’ll always be the “Anvil”, the big rhino, the tank. He was the best friend I ever had and I owe him for everything good that ever came my way as a pro wrestler.
Jim didn’t need me so much as I needed him. We had always been close friends from the first time we met in Stampede Wrestling. We never fought or argued about anything and we were always in agreement. Aside from being my loyal friend, tag team partner, and brother-in-law, I can say Jim helped me keep my sanity during our numerous dark and lonely times. He was such a hilarious friend. Thank you Jim for a lifetime of happy and great memories.
Pro wrestling is a profession where trust and loyalty are everything. We were such a fun, fast, exciting, and formidable combination highlighting each other while always making our opponents. When it came to wrestling teams like Andre the Giant and Haku, the British Bulldogs, the Nasty Boys, Demolition, and The Rockers, the Hart Foundation could work with any team and have the best match on the card. We were both always very proud of all of our accomplishments as the Hart Foundation but we we were always most proud of our friendship.
Someday but far enough away , I hope to have a joyous meeting with the many friends and loved ones gone before and, when I make that crossover, I pray God will lead me straight to the Anvil. Thank you Anvil, for I owe you everything.
“I’ve met men I could trust in the mouth of hell. I would trust them to breathe for me, to pump my blood with their hearts.” – Sebastian Faulks
Love,
Bret
You are ever so right thank you for your years of giving us your time and enjoyment
I have always been a Hart Foundation fan and have for sure been a Bret Hart fan for many years ,I didn’t get to see the Hart Foundation in the very beginning in Srampede wrestling ,but I did see them from the start in the wwf….The Pink and black attack ,the Porsche and the tank ,the entrance music, the march to the ring ,just a lot of memories and awesome matches from you two ,The Anvil ,The Tank will be missed…….Thank you Bret…RIP Jim
Bret,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories. I also thank you for recognizing your fans. I had the honor to meet you this past Saturday, September 8 and frank and sons with my son and my daughter (my little daughter wearing the pink and black was shy to take it with you). You are truly a remarkable man! Thank you for all that you’ve done throughout the years entertaining your fans, wether a face or a heel, you’ve given a lot and lost a lot to an industry that runs in your blood.
Beautifuly written Bret thank you for sharing with your loyal fans. Our thoughts are with you and your families. If there are ever dark times ahead just think what would Jim say to cheer you up 🙂 his light will always shine strong in your heart along with a life time of beautiful memories of an amazing friendship to cherish forever. My family love the Hart Foundation and all of your achievements together… thank you for being such inspirational beings with beautiful values that are so rare these days. Best wishes Bret and Rest In Peace Jim. Kind regards Alexandra 🙂
RIP. Will always be remembered for his awesome time as the Anvil and excellent matches he put on with the Hitman. Some of his promos were particularly hilarious. I can definitely see that sense of humour.
Hey Bret,
Nicely written tribute to the “anvil” Jim Neidhart.
Growing up the Hart Foundation and the Edmonton oilers (no offence to a calgarian ) were the two things that were always televised in my home.watching you guys wrestle as a tag team was art,Jim with his dominant presence and the excellence in execution you two were unstoppable.Thanks for the matches and inspiration,RIP Jim,thanks Bret.
Bret,
Just a message to let you know that my daughter and I will always be Bret Hart fans. My daughter has your
autographed picture on her wall and a cartoon you drew of yourself. My daughter wears her Bret Hart shirt all the time. There are also Bret Hart action figures on the table next to this computer and a pair of your Bret Hart sunglasses. We have all of your DVD’s and watch them often.. Thank you for being the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. You have afforded a lot of enjoyment for us through the years. We don’t have any accounts except our e-mail so I hope you get this. Thank you
Bret,
I don’t even know where to start. I was a 5 year old kid when you had your first WWF championship run after you beat Flair in 1992. I followed your career from that point. I had watched wrestling with shadows dozens of times and I read your book going on the 3rd time. I had the pleasure of meeting you on June 11th of 2016; that was my 29th birthday. You autographed a copy of your book for me. I wished I had taken more time with you to actually talk a little bit more. I appreciated the way you lead by example and always carried your head up. I am looking forward to meeting you again. I will always be a fan of the Hitman and the Hart Foundation. You truly are the best there is, best there was and the best there ever will be and this whole nation knows it.
The hitman for me symbolized someone who got beat up but never gave up. I am a Kenyan fan. I remember when my dad was taking me back to high school he told me to be like the hitman. Our high school was terrible because of bullying by students who were ahead of us. I cannot remember a day I wasn’t assaulted in my first year. I lived in worry all the time. But in my weakest moment I would pretend to be Bret Hart and would push through the pain. Thanks Bret and sorry for your loss
The Hart Foundation was the ULTIMATE tag team for many enjoyable years!!!
The Hart Foundation ROCKED the WWF !!!!