10 Things That Made Us Embarrassed To Be Wrestling Fans In 2016

4. CM Punk's MMA "Fight"

james ellsworth smackdown contract
2016 Getty Images

CM Punk will forever be one of the most divisive personalities in wrestling. His post-WWE bitterness split his old fanbase between those who supported his numerous complaints, and those who saw him as a whining crybaby. Few wrestlers have ever been as polarising as the Chicagoan and even today, almost three years after departing WWE, Punk is revered and reviled in equal measure.

Punk’s decision to try his hand at MMA after leaving wrestling raised more than a few eyebrows, but even if you hate the guy, it was hard not to cringe at how his UFC career transpired. After close to two full years of training, Punk finally stepped into the octagon against Mickey Gall in September, and he was completely humiliated. Punk galloped forward with his hands up, was taken down before throwing a single punch, and two minutes later, Gall had submitted him.

The former WWE Champion was completely outclassed, and while nobody expected him to win, the fight couldn’t have gone much worse. Whether he chooses to admit it or not, Punk was representing professional wrestling that night, and while his failings say more about him than the sport he comes from, his MMA flop felt like a blow for professional wrestling as a whole.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.