For the second week in a row, Colt Cabana's "Art of Wrestling" podcast froze its website because of the amount of people attempting to listening to CM Punk discuss his departure from the WWE. Last week, social media was a buzz as Punk finally spoke about his decision to leave the WWE almost a year ago and during the podcast, there were many revelations about what exactly led to Punk quitting the company. I'm going to discuss a few of the main highlights from the original podcast, but if you haven't listened to it yet, I would recommend it, as it's worth listening to hear it directly from Punk.
One of the main topics for Punk was that he wasn't booked in the main event of Wrestlemania, even when he was the champion and defended the title against Chris Jericho at the event because The Rock returned to the company to wrestle John Cena for the main event. I've mentioned it before and I will say it again, while The Rock is a draw for casual fans and it certainly makes sense for him to appear at Wrestlemania, it doesn't boost the current roster if a returning star automatically gets a top spot at the biggest show of the year. How are the performers that are on the roster supposed to be perceived as major stars if they are booked for a secondary spot on the card? However, The Rock vs. Cena set a pay-per-view record and the argument could be made that more causal fans would pay to see The Rock in the main event than CM Punk, but it should also be considered that the Wrestlemania brand is a selling point, so it depends on the perspective of the situation.
Punk also detailed that he had a staph infection for two months prior to his WWE departure that the WWE medical team didn't provide useful medication for it and it was only after he left that Punk received the necessary medication for it. The WWE has since went into damage control and released a statement that their medical staff has a top priority to ensure the safety of the performers. In all fairness, medicine isn't an easy occupation and unless someone is a doctor, they probably shouldn't criticize the WWE medical staff, at least until they would have an opportunity to explain their side of the situation. Don't get me wrong, Punk could have a valid point, but it's important to consider that there are two sides to it.
Another interesting note that was revealed during Punk's appearances on Cabana's podcast was that Batista vs. Randy Orton was the original main event booked for Wrestlemania, which proves that the WWE didn't have some elaborate plan to push Daniel Bryan as an under dog, but it was the fan reaction that put Bryan in the main event. As I've said before, you can't blame Batista for his return being a flop, but rather the booking where the WWE tried to tell the fans what they should want to see in the main event. Regardless, it's great that Daniel Bryan got the push he deserved and hopefully, he can return soon.
However, Punk wasn't done making headlines, as he appeared during the UFC 181 broadcast and it was announced that he signed with the organization to fight next year. I've watched MMA for years and I was completely shocked to see Punk at the PPV. There were rumors that Punk had discussions with the UFC, but with no MMA experience, I didn't think he would actually sign with the promotion. The announcement of Punk's signing has garnered a mixed reaction, as some fans are thrilled he will enter the octagon, while others disapprove of it because of his lack of MMA experience. It really depends on how you look at it, the UFC is the major league of MMA and for a fighter to be signed, it usually indications they have proven themselves to be one of the better fighters in the sport so Punk getting a contract seems to go against that theory. On the flip side, CM Punk is one of the most popular sports figures of the past decade and it will draw major money if he fights in the UFC. Despite being a sport, the UFC is primarily a business and their profits were down this year after a series of injuries derailed some prime PPV matches so signing CM Punk is a smart business move for the company. There were also a few of the UFC's top draws that have left the promotion, including Brock Lesnar and George St. Pierre so Punk would boost the numbers that have declined after a few of the company's top stars retired. As for Punk's MMA career, he deserves credit for trying to transition to a new career, but it's doubtful that he will achieve the success of Brock Lesnar when he transitioned to MMA after his initial run in the WWE. Despite being a former NCAA national champion, Lesnar struggled with some of the basic striking of MMA and while his UFC run generated a lot of money, he retired after a 5-3 record in the sport. That's not to discredit Lesnar, but rather just an example of a lack of MMA experience effecting a career.
Punk has been training with the Gracie Ju Jitsu gym, but he has no MMA experience and it would be extremely difficult for anyone to start fighting in the UFC without major experience in some aspect of the sport. I don't think CM Punk will be majorly successful in the UFC, but it will be entertaining to see him fight in the promotion.
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