In January 1983, he made a second tour with NJPW, competing in its New Year Golden Series.
LANCE DUGGAN AND THE RHYTHM KNIGHTS SERIES
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 September 1981, Neidhart appeared in Germany with the Catch Wrestling Association, taking part in the World Catch Cup. This earned him the nickname "The Anvil", replacing his prior nickname, "The Animal". Stu Hart, seeking publicity for Neidhart, promised him $500 to enter and win an anvil toss at the Calgary Stampede. He was a two-time Stampede International Tag Team Champion, with Hercules Ayala in 1980 and Mr. 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.
LANCE DUGGAN AND THE RHYTHM KNIGHTS PROFESSIONAL
Professional wrestling career Early career (1978–1985) įollowing his release from the Dallas Cowboys, Neidhart traveled to Calgary to train with Stu Hart and pursue a career in professional wrestling. After graduating from high school, 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. He set a California high school record in shot put in 1973 which stood until 1985.
He was part of the Hart wrestling family through marriage to his wife Elizabeth Hart, teaming with various members throughout his career, and appearing with his daughter Natalya Neidhart on the reality television show Total Divas. He also won titles in Stampede Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Mid-South Wrestling, Memphis Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation. James Henry Neidhart (Febru– August 13, 2018) 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.