WWF Interview: |
The Hart Foundation--Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart and Bret "Hitman" Hart--has been one of teh most successful and feared tag teams in the World Wrestling Federation. Former tag team champions, Hart and Neidhart are utterly ruthless and often cruel. Neidhart, in particular, seems to delight in hurting opponents. Hart also has a true mean streak, although he appears not so much to enjoy cruelty for its own sake but to demonstrate his superiority over other wrestlers. Cruelty aside, both members of the Foundation have qualities that make them exceedingly difficult opponents whether wrestling as a tag team or individually. Neidhart is massive and strong as a bull. Hart is tough, quick, and a master of scientific tactics. We managed to exclude manager Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart from teh proceedings. Readers may remember that during our talk with the Honky tonk Man published in the March issue, the manager's interruptions made the task of the interviewer practically impossible. The WWF Magazine interviewed both gentlemen together although they have each now begun to wrestle more independently.WWF:Jim Neidhart, they call you the Anvil. Most fans know where you got the name, but perhaps some don't. Would you tell them?
Neidhart:Who doesn't know? Everybody knows why they call me the Anvil. I was in a contest with the strongest athletes in North America, and I threw a 100-pound anvil farther than anybody. Nobody else's got that kind of strength.
WWF:Thanks. This question is for Bret. Why do they call you the Hit Man?
Hart'Cause I'm a real shooter, baby. I shoot to kill. I look at a man in the ring, and it's like he's in my sights. He'sall done, and he knows it.
WWF:You have both been accused of deliberate cruelty and some of the most underhanded tactics in wrestling. How do you answer accusations like that?
Neidhart:(Said with a vicious laugh) Cruel? Underhanded? You bet. We don't take prisoners. We go into the ring for one thing only, to win. If people can't handle that, they should stay out of the ropes.
Hart:We don't care what people think. Not other wrestlers, not the fans. So whatever's said about us don't matter. What matters is that nobody can survive long in the ring with us.
WWF:I don't think that's true. After all, Strike Force took your title. And the British Bulldogs have given you all you asked for. Even the Young Stallions took you last year, although it was a non-title decision. So how can you be so cocksure?
Neidhart:What'd you do? Come here to take cheap shots at us? You're headed for big trouble.
WWF:It was a legitimate question.
Hart:It stunk. And I don't like smart-aleck writers. But, I'll tell you something. Nobody ever beat us without outside help.
WWF:You are like the pot that called the kettle black. It is obvious to everybody that you've had plenty of help from Jimmy Hart. How can you deny that?
Neidhart:I'm starting to dislike you. That's dangerous.
WWF:Well, we'll try another question. Your physical qualities and ring styles are very different. How about your mental approach to the sport?
Hart:In some ways, we're exactly alike. We psych ourselves up real good. But I think I plan my matches a little more than Jim. He doesn't need to. He relies on strength.
Neidhart:(Cackling) You wanna know what our mental approach is? We like to bash people.
WWF:It is said that never before have there been so many great tag teams in the WWF. We'd like to ask you how you rate some of the other duos. How about Strike Force?
Hart:We told you, Strike Force's nothin'. Pretty boys, that's all. Mush.
WWF:The Bulldogs?
Neidhart:Puppies. Mutts. They belong in the pound. And they got fleas.
WWF:The Islanders?
Hart:They can handle themselves. They're kinda like us. Tough and don't mess around.
WWF:Killer Bees?
Neidhart:Bees like sweet stuff and flowers, don't they? They're like little girls.
WWF:Demolition?
Hart:Nobody's better'n us, but they're close.
WWF:A few minutes ago, we mentioned Jimmy Hart. You said he doesn't provide outside help while you're in the ring. Well, what does he do for you?
Neidhart:He's done lots, baby, lots. More than anybody outside knows. He's smart. He got us good contracts. He don't let anybody trick us.
WWF:What have been your financial arrangements with Jimmy Hart?
Neidhart:None of anybody's business, snoop.
WWF:We've got a question that people often wonder about when it comes to tag teams. Obviously, you've spent a great deal of time together. You've traveled as a team. Have you ever gotten on one another's nerves?
Hart:That's a stupid question. We've been like one, man. We've always gotten along.
Neidhart:The only nerves we ever got on belonged to people who had to meet up with us.
WWF:We've been talking to you both as a team. But before you were a team, you wrestled as individuals. Maybe someday you'll do it again. So, what are your individual goals?
Neidhart:The same as when we've been a tag team. To be on top of everybody. We were tag team champs. I think either of us could be champions by ourselves. Because nobody comes near to measuring up to us.
Hart:Sure, I've got goals for myself. It's been great teaming with Jim. We showed everybody. But, I've got a score to settle with Bad News Brown. It's personal. Jim understands that. There are times when a man has to stand alone, and I'm going to give Bad News all the news he can handle. He's gonna feel like "The News" all right--spread all over from the front page to the back.
WWF:Thank you for taking the time to explain some of the developments at this important stage in your careers.
