Daniel Puder

Daniel Puder ( ; born October 9, 1981) is an American retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.

As a mixed martial artist, Puder trained at the American Kickboxing Academy, in San Jose, California. He is undefeated in MMA competition, holding a record of eight wins and zero losses. As a professional wrestler, he trained at Ohio Valley Wrestling. He is best known for having won the WWE's $1,000,000 Tough Enough, the fourth Tough Enough competition. while wrestling with a broken hand. At the age of 16, he began training in mixed martial arts and professional wrestling.

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment (2004–2005)

Tough Enough (2004–2005) Puder entered the fourth Tough Enough competition that was conducted as part of WWE SmackDown between October and December 2004. The prize was announced as a $1,000,000 professional wrestling contract, however, it was in reality a four-year contract at $250,000 a year, with the option to terminate the contract after the first year.

On November 4, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, taped in St. Louis, Missouri, during an unscripted segment of Tough Enough, Kurt Angle, a former American amateur wrestler and 1996 Olympic gold medalist, challenged the finalists through a squat thrust competition. Chris Nawrocki won the competition and the prize of a shoot match against Angle. Angle quickly took Nawrocki down with a guillotine choke, but Nawrocki managed to make it to the ropes, forcing Angle to break the hold.

As you would expect, Kurt Angle was less than happy backstage at Smackdown after almost being forced to tap out to Tough Enough contestant Daniel Puder. Downright ticked off would probably be the best way to describe his mood. The unscripted nature of the contest was the main reason that Angle was made to look so bad since Puder just reacted to the situation and could have forced Angle to submit had the referees not thought quickly and counted a pin that wasn't there on Puder. ― Dave Scherer Puder was announced as the winner on December 14, 2004 (televised on December 16, 2004).

On January 30, 2005, Puder competed in his second WWE pay-per-view event, being entered in the Royal Rumble match. Puder, however, was shortly eliminated after being chopped by Chris Benoit, Hardcore Holly, and Eddie Guerrero. Puder was eliminated by Holly.

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2005) In January 2005, Puder participated in the WWE's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). In September 2005, Puder was released by WWE as a cost-cutting move. Puder was given the option of signing a development contract with WWE and transferring to its Deep South Wrestling development camp with less pay, but Puder declined the offer. Puder gave this comment;

In September 2007, Yahoo! Sports ran an interview with Puder. In the interview, Puder briefly mentioned his stay in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Puder said:

Kenny Bolin, a manager at OVW, took offense to this. Bolin then sent out the following email to Yahoo!:

Ring of Honor (2007–2008) In December 2007, Puder signed with Ring of Honor (ROH). On December 29, 2007, at the Manhattan Center, in New York City, Puder made his debut in ROH, at Rising Above, attacking Claudio Castagnoli and aligning himself with Sweet and Sour Inc., led by Larry Sweeney. On December 30, 2007, at Final Battle 2007, Puder helped Sweeney defeat Castagnoli. In January 2008, Puder would appear on two more shows, however, due to budget cuts, Puder was released.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2010–2011) On June 19, 2010, Puder made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Dominion 6.19, losing to former three–time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. On October 11, 2010, it was announced that Puder would team with Nakamura in the 2010 G1 Tag League, which would take place over eleven shows in October and November. In their first match in the tournament on October 22, Puder and Nakamura were defeated by Hiroshi Tanahashi and TAJIRI. On October 25 Puder picked up his first victory in New Japan, defeating Tomoaki Honma via submission in a singles match. After two wins and three losses in the group stage of the G1 Tag League, Puder and Nakamura finished fourth in their block and did not advance to the semifinals.

Independent Circuit (2019) Puder returned to wrestling for one night on June 6, 2019 when he teamed with Gangrel when they defeated Kris Karter and Nick Grayson at Gangrel's Wrestling Asylum in Miami, Florida.

Mixed martial arts While training at the American Kickboxing Academy, in San Jose, California, Puder sought the tutelage of Javier Mendez, Bob Cook, Frank Shamrock, Brian Johnston and Danny Chaid. The bout was scheduled on February 26, 2011, at Knockout Fights: The Beginning, at the Santa Monica Airport, in Santa Monica, California, however, Puder withdrew from the bout due to injury, Puder had suffered a torn meniscus and was unable to compete.

Business career In 2010, Puder founded My Life My Power (MLMP), an anti-bullying organization.

Puder also operates Puder Strength Training (PST), a non-profit organization that donates weight training equipment to high school strength training programs and to underprivileged teenagers.

Personal life Puder is a born again Christian. He is a deputy sheriff.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Mychal Clark Decision (unanimous) Call to Arms: Called Out Fights

Ontario, California, United States Win

Jeff Ford TKO (shoulder injury) Call to Arms I

Ontario, California, United States Win

Richard Dalton Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Michael Alden TKO (head kick and punches) BodogFight Series III: Costa Rica Combat

Costa Rica Win

Mike Cook Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Triple Threat

San Jose, California, United States Win

Tom Tuggle Submission (armbar) Strikeforce: Revenge

San Jose, California, United States Win

Jesse Fujarczyk Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie

San Jose, California, United States Win

Jay McCown Decision (unanimous) X-1

Yokohama, Japan Championships and accomplishments World Wrestling Entertainment $1,000,000 Tough Enough (2004)