Daniel Puder (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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

As a mixed martial artist, Puder trained at the American Kickboxing Academy, in San Jose, California. Puder is undefeated in MMA competition, holding a record of eight wins and zero losses.

As a professional wrestler, Puder trained at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Puder is, best known for having won the $1,000,000 Tough Enough challenge during his time in World Wrestling Entertainment and Ohio Valley Wrestling. Puder had previously worked for Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Early life

Puder was involved in amateur wrestling during high school. In high school at Monta Vista High School, in Cupertino, California, Puder finished first place in his weight division in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Central Coast Section, in amateur wrestling, while wrestling with a broken hand.

Puder was also involved in entrepreneurship during high school, starting several businesses.

At the age of 16, Puder began training in mixed-martial arts and professional wrestling.

Career

Professional wrestling

World Wrestling Entertainment and Ohio Valley Wrestling (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 October 28, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, during Tough Enough, Puder was legitimately shoved spine-first into a locker by The Big Show.

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 Nawrocki won was a match against Angle. Angle quickly took Nawrocki down, breaking his ribs, then made him tap out with a neck crank. After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle challenged the other finalists. Puder accepted Angle's challenge. Angle and Puder wrestled for position, with Angle taking Puder down, however, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a kimura lock. With Puder on his back and Angle's arm locked in the kimura, Angle attempted a pin, one of two referees in the ring, Jim Korderas, quickly counted three to end the bout, despite the fact that Puder's shoulders weren't fully down on the mat, bridging up at two. Puder later claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm, thus making Angle tap out on national television, if Korderas had not ended the match. Dave Meltzer and Dave Scherer gave these following comments:

On December 12, 2004, Puder competed in his first WWE pay-per-view event, Armageddon, defeating Mike Mizanin in a Dixie Dog Fight. 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.

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;

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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, 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 Climax 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 Climax Tag League, Puder and Nakamura finished fourth in their block and didn't advance to the semifinals.

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.

On September 6, 2003, at the X-1 promotion, Puder defeated Jay McCown by unanimous decision. On March 10, 2006, at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, in San Jose, California, Puder made his return to MMA, defeating Jesse Fujarczyk by submission due to a rear naked choke. Three months later on June 9, 2006, at Strikeforce: Revenge, at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, in San Jose, California, Puder defeated Tom Tuggle by submission due to an armbar in only twenty-eight seconds. To end the year, on December 8 at Strikeforce: Triple Threat, at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, in San Jose, California, Puder defeated Mike Cook by submission due to a rear naked choke.

On February 18, 2007, at BodogFight Series III in Costa Rica, Puder defeated Michael Alden by knockout in forty-five seconds. Several months later on September 29, 2007, at Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion, at The Playboy Mansion, in Los Angeles, California, Puder defeated Richard Dalton by unanimous decision.

On May 16, 2009, at Call to Arms I, at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, California, Puder defeated Jeff Ford by knockout.

On August 15, 2009, at Call to Arms: Called Out Fights, at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, California, Puder defeated Mychal Clark by unanimous decision.

In 2011, Puder retired from MMA competition, holding a record of eight wins and zero losses.

Other ventures

Puder started his own non-profit organization, Puder Strength Training (PST), to help local high schools by donating weight training equipment to their strength training programs and to underprivileged teenagers. Puder also works with Toys for Tots, After School All Stars, HAWKE Foundation, Police Athletic League (PAL), Shriners Hospitals for Children, Stanford Hospital, and San Francisco General Hospital. Puder is the official spokesperson for Cops Care Cancer Foundation. Puder started Daniel Puder Promotions, an event promotional company. Puder opened his own gym, the Hollywood MMA Gym, in Hollywood, California, which specializes in martial arts, self-defense and fitness boot camp.

In 2009, Puder launched his own company, Fight5, and produced two MMA pay-per-view events.

In 2010, Puder founded MyLife MyPower, to provide organizations and youth with effective programs to help combat bullying through various avenues such as self esteem, self empowerment and body image.

Personal life

Puder was born with A.D.H.D..

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Win |align=center|8-0 | Mychal Clark |Decision (unanimous) |Call to Arms: Called Out Fights | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | | |- |Win |align=center|7-0 | Jeff Ford |TKO (shoulder injury) |Call to Arms I | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:23 | | |- |Win |align=center|6-0 | Richard Dalton |Decision (unanimous) |Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | | |- |Win |align=center|5-0 | Michael Alden |TKO (head kick & punches) |BodogFight Series III: Costa Rica Combat | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:45 | | |- |Win |align=center|4-0 | Mike Cook |Submission (rear naked choke) |Strikeforce: Triple Threat | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 2:31 | | |- |Win |align=center|3-0 | Tom Tuggle |Submission (armbar) |Strikeforce: Revenge | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:28 | | |- |Win |align=center|2-0 | Jesse Fujarczyk |Submission (rear naked choke) |Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie | |align=center| 1 |align=center|1:54 | | |- |Win |align=center|1-0 | Jay McCown |Decision (unanimous) |X-1 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 3:00 | |

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Keylock

• Entrance themes
  • "Getting Away With Murder" by Papa Roach

Championships and accomplishments

• World Wrestling Entertainment

• $1,000,000 Tough Enough winner

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