WWE legend Kurt Angle pays tribute Liam Payne with old footage of their little-known wrestling match against each other following the former One Direction star's death in Argentina

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Former WWE star Kurt Angle has paid tribute to former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died aged 31 on Wednesday night.

Payne fell 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, before medics confirmed his death.

The singer died from 25 injuries sustained in his fall that led to 'internal and external haemorrhaging', preliminary autopsy results have revealed, with the 'injuries to his head alone enough to cause death.'

Angle has now posted footage of the pair wrestling during a promotional event for One Direction, back in 2013.

Alongside the video, he wrote: 'RIP Liam Payne, it was an honour to step in the ring with you during 1D Day!'

Wrestling icon Kurt Angle (right) once fought singer Liam Payne (left) in the ring 11 years ago

Payne, formerly of One Direction, died at the age of 31 on Wednesday night in Buenos Aires

A little-known fact about Payne is that he was a huge WWE fan. He grew up watching wrestling and shared his passion for the sport with former bandmate Harry Styles.

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Eleven years ago, Payne got to fulfil a lifelong dream when promoting One Direction's Midnight Memories album.

Dressed in a Lucha Libre mask, while sporting a yellow and blue costume, Payne took to the ring with Angle while DJ Scott Mills conducted the event.

The video shared by Angle displays Payne's nifty wrestling moves as he overcame the 1996 Olympic gold medallist.

'It was great, I had a lot of fun with these guys,' Angle said, speaking in November 2013. 'I got to meet my daughter's favourite human being in the world, Harry Styles. It was a lot of fun because I didn't know these kids were big wrestling fans.

'I didn't know they watched Kurt Angle growing up. It was mutually rewarding, you know. We both enjoyed each other's company and to wrestle Liam was a lot of fun. To put him over was even more fun.'

Payne's body was found in a hotel courtyard next to a lighter, a whiskey bottle, and a mobile phone.

Since his death, staff at the Casa Sur Hotel have now revealed they were concerned about the star's access to a low balcony prior to his fall.

Payne (left) and Angle put on a show for One Direction at a promotional event in 2013

Payne managed to defeat the 1996 Olympic freestyle wrestling champion with some brilliant moves

Both Payne and former bandmate Harry Styles (left) loved the sport of wrestling growing up

Argentinian police are now hypothesising he was 'going through some type of outbreak as a result of substance abuse' prior to his death.

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England internationals and Lioness legend post heartbreaking tributes to Liam Payne

Payne was found dead by police who say they found the popstar's medicines including clonazepam - a drug which is used to control epilepsy, involuntary muscle spasms, and panic disorders.

MailOnline can reveal that the popstar suffered a huge blow just days before his tragic death - he was dropped by his record label Universal Music.

Originally signed to Sony as part of One Direction, Liam penned a deal with Capitol Records, a label owned by Universal, in July 2016 when he launched his solo career at just 22 years old.

He was said to have been 'thrilled' when he signed to Capitol in what was understood to have been a very lucrative deal.

The label is a subsidiary of Universal, but in the company's recent reshuffle, he came under the main label.

The Universal Music Group released a statement paying tribute to Payne, which read: 'We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.

'His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him. We send our deepest condolences to Liam's family and loved ones.'

Payne plunged from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel (file image)

Universal Music Group posted an image of Payne on Thursday night with a tribute to the star

Payne's old bandmates released a statement on Thursday in which they said they were all 'devastated'

(From left) Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan (seated) Liam Payne and Harry Styles in 2010

Last night Payne's One Direction bandmates broke their silence following his tragic death as they released an emotional statement.

In a joint statement signed from 'Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry', they said they were 'completely devastated'.

'In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,' they wrote. 'But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

'The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.'

Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik all then later released separate tributes on their social media accounts.