7 Things We Learned From CM Punk's UFC Debut Loss

7. Try As He Might, CM Punk Will Never Shake The Pro Wrestling Connection

For Punk, professional wrestling is currently a double-edged sword: his success in the WWE has allowed for this UFC opportunity, but at the same time, his unhappiness towards the end of his career has seemingly tainted his view of the profession. Still, without wrestling, there's no CM Punk, which means there's no late-life shot at the UFC.

And Punk hasn't fully cut ties with the wrestling world it seems: while he says he doesn't keep tabs on what's going on in the WWE, he is certainly leaning on the past, at least to a degree, when presenting himself to the media and fans. And even if he hasn't kept tabs on the wrestling world, rest assured they've kept tabs on him.

Hulk Hogan tweeted his support of Punk prior to the UFC 203 main card, and wrestling personalities like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Noelle Foley were in attendance in Cleveland. In the days leading up to the fight, wrestlers like Mick Foley, Seth Rollins, and even old foe Ryback offered their support.