CM Punk's UFC Career Cannot Be Judged by Controversial WWE Exit

CM Punk recently turned the pro wrestling world upside down when he announced a brand new career as an MMA fighter for Ultimate Fighting. The announcement came shortly after an interview on The Art of Wrestling podcast, in which Punk told his story of working in WWE.

Since the UFC news became public knowledge, Punk has been attacked from both sides. WWE fans are outraged that he would give such a combustible interview, only to then sign with UFC. MMA enthusiasts are upset because the last thing they want is another pro wrestler stepping into their world. But despite what criticisms Punk endures, the truth is that his new UFC career cannot be judged by his controversial exit from WWE.

Punk is very accustomed to being at the center of controversy and this time is no different.

Much of the controversy that has surrounded him before involved his character and his career in Vince McMahon's company. Punk was always a rebel, a man that marched to his own beat and never let anyone dictate who he was. Punk could not be controlled and that that made it very easy for fans to relate to him.

The WWE audience has always responded to the anti-authority figure and Punk was just the latest in a long line of similar characters. From Jake The Snake Roberts to Roddy Piper to Stone Cold Steve Austin, one rebellious heel after another was accepted by WWE fans despite how evil or how devious they were.

credit: wwe.com

Those personalities became cool and fans could not get enough of them.

But Punk was not just a rebel in the ring; he was a rebel behind the scenes as well. Punk was known by fans as the guy that did not necessarily have to be a WWE Superstar; he wanted to be one. He towed the company line when asked to and he represented the company during his epic 434 days as WWE champion.

However, he did all of that on his terms. Punk wanted to call his own shots because he felt as though no one else had the right to. And all of that directly translated to Punk getting over in a very big way with the fans. 

The pipebomb promo in 2011 went a long way to establishing the positive rapport fans had with him. While the moment itself was not entirely a shoot, the fact is that Punk was very convincing with every word he spoke. By the time he was done, fans were second-guessing McMahon and seeing WWE in a whole new light.

In the nearly three years that followed, Punk maintained that momentum and became a steady main event star in WWE. He was heavily featured at the top and was a favorite of fans all over the world. And when he left in January of 2014, he sent shock waves among the WWE faithful.

Fans waited 10 months before finally hearing Punk's side. Those 10 months were filled with support, respect, hate and disdain. Fans ran the gamut of emotions when it came to Punk and when the Best in the World broke his silence, fans were finally given what they wanted.

And now many of them are using that interview against him.

One of the main reasons for that is the fact that Punk complained of broken ribs suffered at the hands of Ryback, though Ryback has since denied the charges. When fans hear Punk's comments against Ryback in the context of his UFC announcement, the assumption is made that he will not be able to handle the eventual pain and potential injuries that could occur in his new venture.

While that reaction makes sense on the surface, the fact is that professional wrestling is not mixed martial arts. Pro wrestling is about protecting your opponent, about working hard to make him look good so you look good in the process. If both sides do their part, then the match will be successful and the crowd will be entertained.

Pro wrestling is not about intentionally hurting your opponent. WWE Superstars are not legitimately trying to win matches and while guys could work stiff in the ring, no one wants to hurt anyone else.Talents that hurt people in the ring may not be booked and could very well find themselves out of a job.

credit: wwe.com

So while Punk should be tough and most likely is, the truth is that he should expect his opponent to take care of him in the ring. He should not have to prepare for injuries because the man he's stepping into the ring with is not professional enough to handle his business the right way.

Simply put, unnecessary injuries in WWE should not be held against Punk moving forward.

Others point out that since Punk was upset he did not supplant John Cena as the top guy in WWE, that he will complain he's not getting similar superstar treatment when he gets to UFC. But in WWE, Superstars are typically elevated according to their level of popularity and their ability to make money. Ability to win matches is not a factor because the matches have predetermined outcomes.

Punk felt he should be higher in WWE for what he brought to the table, not because he won more matches than he lost.

That will not be the case in UFC. Just because Punk is entertaining does not mean he will shoot straight to the top of the ladder. And he most certainly knows that. However, some fans seem to have made their decisions already about him and his UFC future and if his departure from WWE is the basis for that, it's a real shame.

Punk's podcast interview was controversial because of the things he said and the fact that he aired his grievances not long before his UFC announcement was made. Fans are upset about that and the fact that he walked out of WWE in the first place. That is understandable and many just cannot move past it.

But to judge Punk's UFC career before it even begins is perhaps not fair at all. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what he does in the octagon. Getting over will not be of consequence when he gets in there for the first time. The only thing that will matter is whether or not he can physically hang with the man he will be facing.

If Punk is destroyed, then so be it. If he wins the fight, then so be it. But despite what happens, Punk should start with a clean slate and that means his controversial exit from WWE should not be held against him. Punk may have been The Best in the World while in WWE but in UFC, he's starting from the bottom up. And that is exactly how it should be.