The WWE has seen some remarkable tag teams over the years, with superstars like the Hardy Boyz, Legion of Doom and D-Generation X ranking among the best tag teams in the history of WWE wrestling. Most of these teams emerged in the late 80s, arguably the best era in WWE history. During this time, another iconic tag team enjoyed great success – the Heart Foundation. Often considered among the best, but never at the very top, in this article, we will go over the fantastic careers of Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart. This legendary duo deserves the number one spot in WWE tag team history.
Iconic Villains of the Golden Tag Team Era
Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart were one of the most exciting WWE tag teams ever to step in the ring and have helped popularize the sport even further during the 80s. What makes the Hart Foundation an even more unique tag team is the fact that they managed to walk the line between lovable characters and despised villains. During their first years, the duo perfectly played their antagonist role, garnering boos and jeers in every arena they appeared. In the early to mid-90s, the two became fan favourites, with Bret Hart becoming arguably the most popular wrestler in the world at the time.
Forming a tag team of a combined billed weight of 515 pounds, the two wrestlers were a sight to be seen night in and night out, becoming the betting favourite in many shops and casinos all around the world. While not many fans know, betting on WWE is completely legal in the States, even though professional wrestling is a form of performance art and theatrical entertainment. Moreover, all casino games at Betfair NJ and other reputable sites are completely legal for US citizens. This is an important thing to keep in mind, especially if you’re looking to gamble online or bet on WWE events from the US.
An Unlikely Powerhouse Duo
The Hart Foundation is the name of several tag teams composed primarily out of the family members and friends of the Hart family. Although the New Era Hart Foundation still competes to this day, the tag team name originated and is mostly tied to the legendary duo of brothers-in-law Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart.
What made Bret and Jim so different from other tag teams of the 80s Golden Era, was that the Hart Foundation broke the general rule of pairing up two guys with similar wrestling styles. While this was very unusual to see at the time, Bret Hart, a very technical grappler and Jim Neidhart, a bruising unstoppable powerhouse, functioned perfectly as a wrestling team.
The two left a strong legacy and one that was acknowledged in spring of 2019 when The Hart Foundation got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. In the long list of the team’s accomplishments, the most notable ones include:
- WWF Tag Team Championship (twice)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated – ranked No. 37 of the top 100 tag teams of all time
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2019)
Bret Hart
During his career, Bret “The Hitman” Hart has often been dubbed “The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be”. In the big-name duo that was the Hart Foundation, Bret Hart edges out as the true superstar of the sport. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Hart is just one of four people to enter the WWE Hall of Fame twice, as a solo inductee in 2006 and as a member of the Hart Foundation in 2019.
Jim Neidhart
If Bret Hart was the more athletic and technical part of the Hart Foundation, Jim Neidhart was the explosive power and strength of the team. Unpredictable and dangerous, Neidhart was considered as the wild card of the duo. Known for his incredible strength, Jim Neidhart was nicknamed The Anvil, after winning an anvil throwing contest.
On the Mount Rushmore of WWE
Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart have built an impressive WWE legacy, and the two undoubtedly deserve to be in the company of the greatest tag team wrestlers WWE has ever seen. They brought flair and chemistry we never saw before and won’t likely see ever again and a bond that can only be developed by years of friendship and training together. On top of this, both Bret and Jim were very talented wrestlers who knew how to win by working together and never failed to entertained wrestling fans from all over the globe.
