JIM THE ANVIL NEIDHART

You can tell that Anvil was into this shoot interview, because we see him asking questions about how he should answer the questions.

Anvil discusses his childhood and high school athletic career to begin this interview. We find out that Anvil lived in California and was excellent at shotput. He also played football. Anvil never wrestled nor was really into it growing up.

Anvil says that he received alot of scholarships to throw shotput while he was a senior in High School. There was only one school he wanted to go to, and that was UCLA. He eventually got an offer from them, and went to throw shotput for UCLA. While in UCLA, Anvil wanted to play football in only his senior year, but found out that he couldn't do that. During this part of the shoot, we find out that Jim was even put in jail for doing an advertisement. A really good story here. He eventually graduated college after four years of track and field.

Anvil then tells us how he got into the NFL, by just being a walk-on. He said he lacked experience, but just had raw skills and power. Anvil talks about his NFL career, which eventually ended due to injury.

Anvil talks about getting into wrestling and training with Stu Hart. Anvil goes very in-depth about Stu and about the famous Dungeon. Later on in the interview, when he was asked about Triple H and Stephanie, Anvil says that it's possible to marry the bosses daughter and still be one of the guys. This refers to Anvil marrying Stu's daughter, while Stu was running Stampede.

Anvil talks about Stampede and the famous family he married into. Anvil always liked Bret, Owen and The British Bulldogs. Anvil tells some roadtrip stories here.

Anvil eventually talks about the territories he worked for. He talked about going to the South, and not knowing too much about racism. He tells a story about teaming with Butch Reed, and how much the fans hated him and Reed.

Anvil talks about all the territories he worked for, and in talked about alot of ribs and road stories. Most wrestlers don't like to open up about ribs and road stories, so it was cool to see Anvil talk about it. Anvil tells some stories about the British Bulldogs, Mr. Fuji, Curt Henning, Rick Rude and many others.

As far as who Anvil always liked, it was The British Bulldogs. He loved wrestling them with Bret, and enjoyed their series of matches. As far as the Davey Boy/Dynamite Kid heat, he said he didn't really pay much to it, and said Davey is dead now so he didn't want to harp on it.

Anvil eventually talks about his WWF career. This is the best part of the shoot, and the stuff that really sells it. Anvil talks about how he was supposed to be a singles wrestler, and feud with Hogan. Anvil talks about how Bret approached him to be a tag team, and how much Anvil wanted to do it, because he respected the hell out of the Hitman.

Anvil discusses all the Wrestlemania's he was at, and the other tag teams around at that time. He reiterates that The Bulldogs were the best.

Anvil discusses alot of the Hart Foundation matches and memories. He loved teaming up with Bret. Anvil tells some stories about the WWF locker room at this time. Anvil also talks about the infamous match with The Rockers, and how the Rockers were supposed to win the belts, only to have the decision reversed, because of the ropes breaking. Anvil laughed and said The Rockers got played out because of that.

Anvil comments about alot of the top WWF names at the time. He never had a problem with Hogan, but wasn't really a fan of the Warrior. He also liked Piper. On the Ric Flair/Bret Hart heat, Anvil said that Bret never mentioned it to him.

Anvil also talked about getting "cat scratch fever". He said no one would believe him, as this was a legit disease. Anvil talks about the whole incident, and McMahon's reaction to it.

Anvil talks about the Hart Foundation split. He says that not every tag team can last forever. He said Bret had the tools to break out, and was happy for him. He never had any feelings of jealousy or anything like that, because Bret was one of his best friends and wanted to see Bret do good.

Anvil talks about his brief WCW and ECW runs after leaving the WWF for the first time. Anvil gets hazy on this, because he said that he left and came back to the WWF 4 times. Anvil said he just went where he could get paid and where he could support his family.

Anvil talked about coming back and teaming with Owen. He said Owen was a great ribber and an excellent hand. He always saw talent in Owen.

Anvil talks about Pillmans death and the Hart Foundation group of 1997. He gives some insight on everything that went on around Pillmans death and being part of the Hart Foundation at that time.

After more stories about the WWF at this time, Anvil goes into talking about the Survivor Series screwjob. He gives his whole side, and says that he was originally part of the finish. He said after the match, he consoled Bret. Anvil talks about being phased out of the WWF shortly thereafter, with DX spraypainting WCW on his back.

Anvil talks about returning to WCW, to team up with Davey Boy. Anvil talked about being lost in the shuffle, and that there was no way he would ever see the success that he had in the WWF in WCW. He talks about WCW at the time, and said he didn't care too much, because he was getting paid well.

Anvil then goes into talking about the Hart family. He talks about all the heat and controversy. He also talks about Owen's death.

Anvil then started talking about his post "spotlight" career, and talking about just working indy shows, as he's not working for a major company anymore. Anvil talks about his nephew Teddy Hart. He says that Teddy has a crazy style, and he wonders how long Teddy can do this style in the long run.

Anvil also talks alot more in the interview, including saying he's still wrestling today. In a odd story, the Canadian Stampede WWF PPV main event is brought up. The match saw Anvil/Owen/Bret/Pillman/Davey Boy vs Stone Cold/Hawk/Animal/Goldust/Ken Shamrock. The match took place in 1997. In 7 years, four of those wrestlers are dead. (Owen/Pillman/Davey/Hawk) Two of those wrestlers have career-ending injuries (Stone Cold/Bret Hart). Shamrock is inactive. The other three wrestle from time to time (Anvil/Animal/Goldust). Anvil says it's funny how fast you can fall from the main spotlight. And for the record, that was one hell of a match. (It occurred in July of 1997)

Anvil thanked the fans at the end of this interview, and seemed to be happy and in good spirits.

Final McWord
The above was just a sample of what Anvil talks about. Anvil was really open in this interview and had no problem revealing some funny ribs and road stories.

I really enjoyed this interview, as a fan of the Hart Foundation growing up. Watching the WWF in the early '80's, growing up, The Hart Foundation, The British Bulldogs and Demolition were the top tag teams. I was a fan of all of them. The WWF was really strong with tag teams back then, and it's a wonder why today's tag teams in the WWF suck or non-existent.

Anvil does comment in detail on everyone that he's asked about. He even comments on people like Steve McMichael (He liked him, but Mongo wasn't right for the business) and Brock Lesnar (thought he had alot of potential). Like I said earlier, he seemed to be really be into talking and gave out alot of information that I never knew.

Overall- Highly recommended for any WWF fan during the 80's-90's time period. Also a must for any person who's into the Hart Family. Obviously this isn't like Diana or Martha talking about the Hart Family, as Anvil paints them in a positive light. This was a very good interview.

To pick this up, go to http://www.rfvideo.com or go to Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart Shoot Interview

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com