5 WWE matches that turned into real fights

The Olympic Gold Medalist nearly had his arm broken on SmackDown in 2004.
The Olympic Gold Medalist nearly had his arm broken on SmackDown in 2004.

#1 Kurt Angle Vs. Daniel Puder

Daniel Puder won the Tough Enough contest but was punished for nearly defeating the former WWE World Champion.
Daniel Puder
won the Tough Enough contest but was punished for nearly defeating the former WWE World Champion.

Though the company currently hones it's next stars in NXT, in 2004, the WWE hosted Tough Enough, a reality competition aiming to find the next breakout star.

With a million dollar prize on the line, everyone involved wanted to impress, including Daniel Puder.

After challenging Kurt Angle to a match, Puder and the Olympian went back and forth, with Puder using his MMA background.

In the closing moments, Puder used an armlock that could've genuinely broken Kurt's arm, if the former WWE Champion hadn't rolled over him, with the referee fast counting Puder's shoulders to the mat.

Though Puder would win the tournament, defeating a young Miz, his actions had consequences, as the company were furious he'd go off-script, and he was gone from WWE not long after.

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram
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