Tough Enough IV winner Daniel Puder has been released, with his 90 day no compete ending coinciding with the December expiration of his one-year guaranteed WWE contract.
He’s been working down in OVW, and was spared being cut during “black Wednesday” after Paul Heyman, Danny Davis and Tommy Dreamer spoke up about how hard he was working.
He’s been offered a developmental deal with Deep South Wrestling for a lot less money than he was making, as WWE decided he wasn’t worth the relatively large contract. Like Tough Enough losers Ryan Reeves, Nick Mitchell and Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, if he accepted that deal he’d only be making around $750 a week.
He has yet to make a decision on his future, and may end up going back to MMA via trying out for the next “The Ultimate Fighter.”
The only Tough Enough winners still on WWE’s active roster are Johnny Nitro (in MNM on Smackdown) and Matt Cappotelli (injured and down in OVW). Reeves, Mitchell, Mizanin, Josh Mathews and Chris Nowinski remain employed by the company in some capacity, with other champions Maven, Nidia, Linda Miles and Jackie Gayda all cut.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter (click here for subscription info)
