“He didn't always feel like he was wanted,” says Natalya while talking about Jim Neidhart's WWE struggles

WWE Superstar Natalya has shared an emotional story about her father, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. She shared about how much her dad enjoyed being on the show Total Divas, and how he felt sad that WWE did not honor him when he was alive. Her story gave fans a new look at how WWE treated legends in the past.

Neidhart, known for being part of The Hart Foundation, became popular again when he joined Total Divas. Even though he was not wrestling anymore, the show allowed people to see his funny and caring side. But behind the fun moments, he felt like WWE did not give him the respect he deserved after he retired.


Natalya Neidhart shares her father’s pain as he felt left out

Natalya spoke to Chris Van Vliet on Insight Live and said her dad was very happy doing Total Divas because it made him feel like part of wrestling again. She also said it was hard for her dad because he did not feel wanted by WWE after his career ended.

“So going back to your question, when my dad was on Total Divas he was a trip on that show. He just let loose and I think he loved doing that show because once his career was over in wrestling, it gave him a chance to feel like he was still a part of something. Because it’s hard sometimes when you’re an athlete. Back when my dad was alive and we were doing Total Divas, it’s kind of hard even saying this, but he didn’t always feel like he was wanted, ”She said.



Natalya said WWE is now doing a better job of honoring past wrestlers, but back then, they did not. Her dad was especially upset that he did not get into the WWE Hall of Fame while he was alive.

“WWE does so much more now to honour legends and to bring back people. But back then, they weren’t doing all of that, it was hard, unless you were getting put in the Hall of Fame, which my dad, when he was alive he was pissed off that he wasn’t in the Hall of Fame,” Natalya added.


Jim Neidhart was angry about others going in first
Natalya also said that her father did not understand why some wrestlers were inducted before him. One example she gave was Hillbilly Jim in 2018.



“He was like, ‘Why the hell was Hillbilly Jim in before me?’ I’m just being honest. My dad loved Hillbilly Jim, but he’s like, ‘Damn it, I should be in there before Hillbilly Jim.’ But my dad was so funny on Total Divas. But my dad just felt like he got to be a part of something, and he loved the limelight, he loved the cameras on him, and he loved all the attention, and he loved feeling like he was a part of something. So that’s one of the things I loved about Total Divas, is I loved having my dad included on that show, even if gummies were involved.”

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Jim Neidhart sadly passed away in 2018. The next year, he was finally inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with Bret Hart as The Hart Foundation. While the honor came late, his memory still lives on in WWE history and in the hearts of fans.