What CM Punk Did Was Punk Rock (Whether Corey Graves Believes It Or Not)

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Someone explain to me in what form and fashion did CM Punk lose besides by an official decision in a UFC octagon? Punk won. UFC lost. And so did Corey Graves.

It’s evident that CM Punk’s fight should have never taken place on a UFC pay-per-view, let alone television, but it doesn’t take away from what Punk did as admirable. He wanted something, he was given the opportunity and went for it. That’s expected from somebody with self-confidence. So many of his critics (and supporters) struggle to find such a thing on a daily basis. How is doing something you wanted to and sticking it out until completion not a victory?

Ex-colleague and alleged former friend, Graves, didn’t see it that way. He saw it as an opportunity to pour salt into the wound of someone who was in the midst of getting his face CT scanned.

Maybe abandoning everybody who stood by your side, even when we weren’t supposed to, only to have you turn your back on us wasn’t the right move after all? No anger. Only sadness.

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 10, 2018

Awww. Seems the “fans” are disappointed. Maybe you guys should know that “That Dude” held my first son before I did because I was on tour and I trusted him.

I had dinner with him the week after he quit.

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/WWEGraves/status/1005651663515017216

Somebody who (from a public, not personal, perspective) was just embarrassed in front of his hometown crowd after what had to be an extremely stressful week for him and the Mr. Litorisises of the world. Graves called out Punk’s loyalty to everyone, even though he seemed to be the only wrestling personality crying foul to what the man did.

How much more unclear could Graves be when depicting Punk as a deserter? He was descriptive, yet cryptic at the same time with those initial Tweets. Graves has since gone on to explain himself to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, but that doesn’t make his decision-making any less pompadour-scratching (he further muddied the waters by later challenging Punk to a fight).

Don’t forget ya’ll, I actually knew how to fight BEFORE I got to TV. ?

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/WWEGraves/status/1005726082966831104

https://twitter.com/WWEGraves/status/1005730266718130176

Airing your personal grievances on social media is a bad move to do in the first place, and I’d have to imagine that it gets extrapolated if you’re a public figure. Plenty of broken relationships do not get mended in 280 characters or less. And even if you are going to tell the whole world something then why cut hedges? Forthrightness – that’s rule #5 of punk rock, right?  And rule #6 is what? Include your bosses in on your own pointless social media soapbox?

Don’t worry, hey @VinceMcMahon this has nothing to do with you.

You either @TripleH

This isn’t corporate. This is real life.

Calm down internerds.

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 10, 2018

From getting his on-air phrasing corrected to criticizing “old-timers” of the ring and defending rich athletes against the Dorito-eating masses, Graves has been on this recent crusade to lash out against fans, journalists and naysayers alike that aren’t basking under the LED lights provided by his company. Again, not very “punk rock” of him to worry about what “internerds” (also known as his majority audience) have to say about him.

I want @WWEGraves to read this about the term "begs the question" which he (mis) uses a lot! Corey can be part of fixing the disaster that this has become in the English language!!! https://t.co/uIR0zuKliI

— Wade Keller (@thewadekeller) May 15, 2018

I’ll stick to talking to the world. You stick to writing about me talking to it. https://t.co/Xgh6nvsT7S

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) May 15, 2018

I’m looking forward to my future Indy bookings as “Old Timer Who Tells Everyone They’re Doing It Wrong.”

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 3, 2018

And before you guys all bury JR Smith, just remember…that dude worked his ass off to get to a point in the game that the whole world knows his name.

Yes he screwed up. And yes, you are better suited to tweeting and eating Doritos than talking smack about the dude.#NBAFinals

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 1, 2018

But let’s look at what Punk did from a “punk rock” perspective. He did what he wanted to do, correct? He did it despite what people said and believe he shouldn’t do. He said things that people didn’t like to hear (“I’m done. I’m done. I’m done.”) He was forthright. All that seems to pretty much check all the boxes out of my Minor Threat handbook.

Perhaps Graves burning himself from both ends of the candle with two shows as well as several other media obligations throughout the week has something to with his animosity towards anyone not in his corporate camp. One of his ex-friends knows what being overworked can do to you.

Like Punk will likely do from MMA, Graves should do from that Tweet button: take a breather and reassess. At least Punk bettered himself with his choice. Maybe Graves can do the same and continue being one of the best color commentators in the business.

RELATED: CM Punk Issues First Statement Following His Loss At UFC 225