10 Awful WWE Backstage Hazing Stories
6. Daniel Puder’s Harsh Lesson
A former professional mixed martial artists, Daniel Puder came into WWE through Tough Enough in 2004. On a November episode, Kurt Angle decided to challenge the TE cast, and after running through Puder’s cohorts one by one, Daniel stepped-up last. Unfortunately, the Olympic gold medalist got more than he bargained for. Daniel seized one of Kurt’s arms when Angle tried to take him down, locking in a tight Kimura that Angle couldn’t escape from, forcing the referee to count a hasty three to break the hold.
Puder embarrassed one of WWE’s biggest stars by legitimately out-grappling him on national television, and later claimed he would’ve broken Angle’s arm if the referee hadn't prevented him. Naturally, WWE’s cantankerous old vets didn’t take too kindly to this, and Puder became an immediate target for the bully boys.
Accused of disrespecting both Angle and the wrestling business, Puder’s most notable hazing came in the 2005 Royal Rumble. Bob Holly, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit beat the life out of Daniel with legitimate shoot strikes, teaching him a harsh lesson in their twisted version of "respect". Eight months later, Puder was out of the company.