WWE legend Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart dead at age 63

WWE legend Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart died Monday, August 13 at the age of 63. Neidhart will be remembered as a member of one of the greatest tag teams ever, 'The Hart Foundation.'

Known as 'The Anvil,' Jim Neidhart began his athletic career as a high school track and field star where he held the California high school Shot Put record. After graduating from Newport Harbor he played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

After football, Neidhart traveled to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to train for a career in professional wrestling. Training under the legendary Stu Hart, he joined Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion. Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart came up in the territory era in the '80s but became a superstar after arriving in the WWE in 1985. Neidhart would form the legendary tag team 'The Hart Foundation' becoming a two-time champion with real-life brother in law Bret 'The Hitman' Hart.

Jim Neidhart made another successful run in the WWE in 1997 returning to join the reformed 'Hart Foundation' stable. Along with his brothers in law Bret, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, and friend Brian Pillman, the group would contribute to the beginning of the WWE's 'Attitude Era.' Bret Hart sadly is the last surviving member.

Neidhart is survived by his wife and three daughters. His legacy lives on in the WWE not only through his own achievements but through his daughter Natalie Neidhart. Nattie currently performs on Monday Night Raw under the name 'Natalya.' Jim and Nattie appeared together on the WWE reality show Total Divas.

As a lifelong fan, it saddens me to see the stars I grew up watching die at an early age. Hopefully, Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart will be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame during Wrestlemania 35 weekend next April. Something, in my opinion, is long overdue.

What are your favorite moments of Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart's career? Let us know in the comments.

Vince McMahon sells $100 million in WWE stock to fund a XFL revival