Daniel Puder

Daniel Puder (born October 9, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial artist who trains at the CSW Training Center, in Fullerton, California, and at his own gym, the Hollywood MMA Gym, in Hollywood, California. Puder is known for having trained at the American Kickboxing Academy, in San Jose, California. Puder is also a professional wrestler, best known for his stints in World Wrestling Entertainment, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. Puder currently wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling. 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. 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.