I’m late to the party, but I figured I might as well give my own thoughts on this whole thing. It was announced on Saturday that former pro wrestler CM Punk has signed a deal with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This effectively means that CM Punk, who will be going by that name in UFC, has effectively severed all ties with pro wrestling and is living out his dream to, at the least, “try [MMA] out.”
When the news broke, I wasn’t exactly sure how to react. As a follower of UFC and WWE, I’m happy that we get some new blood—and that it’s someone I’m familiar with (I like the newbies and the up-and-comers as well, but it's sometimes nice to see someone you've seen before). However, and perhaps it’s selfish, but part of me is a bit sad that Punk probably won’t get to main-event WrestleMania anytime soon—if ever. But, on the same token, if Punk can actually go in the octagon, he could main event a UFC PPV—which is good, since every UFC PPV is promoted like its own separate WrestleMania (even if the main event sucks).
So, let’s run it down. He got to wrestle in the Indies and the WWE. He got the recognition of getting “the belt” in WWE (and was deemed “the longest-reigning champion of the modern era”). He got out of wrestling before he got too banged up (scripted or not, WWE performers get pretty messed up, it’d seem). And now? He gets to UFC and possibly kick more butt. He goes from being unceremoniously dumped out of the Royal Rumble by Kane to being the hottest topic in sports over the weekend.
Think about it like that, and I’m not sad anymore for the guy. I’m kind of jealous.
CM Punk may find out his next opponent by the end of the year. I wonder if UFC just messes around and signs Jason David Frank for the first fight, even if it's just for the collective nerd "squee" they'd get. I've seen JDF go and I think they'd legitimately be an ideal pairing for Punk's first UFC fight, but it may come off as too gimmicky.
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