5 WWE matches that turned into real fights

#1 Kurt Angle vs. Daniel Puder (WWE SmackDown - November 4th, 2004)

Kurt Angle shoots on the Daniel Puder incident!Hear what we thought - https://t.co/gFuw8Ssek7 pic.twitter.com/uvxSuKjGtw

— Ruthless Aggression Era Podcast (@RAEraPodcast) March 17, 2021

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle conducted an unscripted segment of Tough Enough when it was part of SmackDown in 2004. This was done with the expectation that the Olympic gold medalist would steamroll all comers, but that was not the case.

The eventual Tough Enough winner decided to showcase his MMA background opposite Angle. Angle defeated one of the contestants in a legitimate shoot wrestling match, before challenging any others. Daniel Puder accepted. After a brief takedown, Puder trapped the former WWE Champion in a Kimura Lock.

Kurt Angle rolled over him while referee Jimmy Korderas fast-counted an awkward pinfall as he risked serious injury or embarrassment at the hands of a "rookie" in front of the fans. This could have ended badly for Angle, who was visibly livid at what had transpired.

Daniel Puder was supposedly 'punished' for this incident at Royal Rumble 2005. Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, and Hardcore Holly hit him with a series of hard chops during the match. That was his last appearance for WWE.